The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is expected to finalize the listing of the monarch butterfly as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) by early 2026. This change could introduce new regulatory requirements for vegetation management (via restrictions added to pesticide labels), maintenance, and construction activities—especially in areas like grasslands, meadows, utility corridors, and roadsides that support milkweed and nectar-producing plants.
Kleinschmidt can proactively support clients through this transition with a Monarch Butterfly Candidate Conservation Agreement with Assurances (CCAA). This program offers long-term regulatory predictability through voluntary conservation commitments, which allows for incidental “take” of monarchs related to routine operations and management activities and provides assurance that if the species is officially listed, participants will not be required to implement additional conservation measures beyond those already outlined in their agreements. With Kleinschmidt’s integrated teams of ecologists, engineers, and planners we are uniquely positioned to help our clients prepare for the listing and mitigate potential impacts. Kleinschmidt can assist clients with every step of the CCAA process—from identifying suitable lands and developing habitat plans to facilitating enrollment and ensuring compliance.