Congress Weighs Killing More Seals, Sea Lions to Save Salmon

The feds no longer protect endangered species habitat; states say they can’t pick up the slack | The Highland County Press

The Trump administration is removing protections from the key places where endangered species live, saying states can keep the areas safe.

Congress weighs killing more seals, sea lions to save salmon

The region’s critical salmon runs are on life support: Fourteen species and populations of salmon and steelhead trout in Washington State are deemed at risk of extinction under the Endangered Species Act.

Democrats urge Trump administration to rethink Endangered Species Act rollback

A federal rule change could undermine protections for endangered species including the Florida manatee. (Photo by Reinaldo Diaz of Lake Worth Waterkeeper)Florida manatees and panthers are suddenly much more vulnerable, environmentalists say, thanks to the Trump administration’s recently announced rollback of Endangered Species Act (ESA) protections. Now Florida Democrats are calling on Secretary of Interior Doug Burgum and Secretary of Commerce …

The US Government Says Habitat Destruction No Longer Counts as ‘Harm’ to Endangered Species

By Bobby Bascomb The U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration recently finalized a rule that narrows what qualifies as “harm” under the Endangered Species Act. Under the new definition of harm, only actions that directly harm or kill endangered species will be prohibited. Until recently, the definition of harm also included damaging the habitat endangered wildlife depend on for food and shelter. “This rule change is ludicrous. A kindergarten…

Why Trump’s move to gut the Endangered Species Act likely won’t hold up in court

by Patrick Parenteau, Vermont Law & Graduate School The Trump administration has decided that destroying the habitat of endangered species is not harmful. Think about that. Habitat loss is the No. 1 reason species become endangered. Red-cockaded woodpeckers need mature long-leaf pine forests to reproduce. Endangered western monarch butterflies depend on pesticide-free milkweed for food. … Continue reading Why Trump’s move to gut the Endangered S…