Why the ESA Frustrates Some Landowners

Paul Weiland, Chair of Nossaman’s Environment & Land Use Group, was interviewed on KJZZ radio (an NPR affiliate based in Phoenix) regarding the announced Endangered Species Act (ESA) changes that are expected to go into effect in September 2019.  The modifications will be prospective and apply to new additions to the endangered species list, and many observers say the impact is most likely to be incremental.  Paul, a former trial attorney in the Law and Policy section, Environmental and Natural Resources Division of the Department of Justice, supports this position and spoke about his views on the topic as well as about the frustrations many landowners have experienced with the ESA.