Federal Regulators Narrow Scope of Endangered Species Rule
Officials said the rule returns the law to its original intent and could open more habitat to drilling, mining and logging.
- On Friday, the Interior and Commerce departments finalized a rule narrowing the definition of "harm" under the Endangered Species Act, allowing development projects in critical habitats if animals are not directly injured or killed.
- Citing the 2024 Supreme Court decision in Loper Bright v. Raimondo, administration officials argued the change returns the Endangered Species Act to its original intent and reduces regulatory intrusion on private property rights.
- Rescinding "overly broad and burdensome" regulations, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick stated the move ensures conservation goals are met without sacrificing economic growth and American prosperity.
- Warning that "habitat loss is the number one cause of extinction," Oceana senior campaign director Gib Brogan condemned the move, stating that removing protections eliminates one of the law's most important safeguards.
- Legal challenges are expected before the regulation takes effect in 30 days, as organizations prepare to file for emergency injunctions in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California and the District of Columbia.
25 Articles
25 Articles
President Donald Trump rolls back wildlife protections, issuing ‘death sentence’ to wolverines, panthers and other threatened species
The Trump administration finalized a sweeping revision to the Endangered Species Act (ESA), narrowing the legal definition of “harm” to protected wildlife. Environmental groups say the change removes one of the law’s strongest safeguards against habitat destruction and could increase extinction risks for species including the wolverine, Florida panther and monarch butterfly. The rule, issued...
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Federal regulators narrow scope of endangered species rule
(The Center Square) - The Interior and Commerce departments finalized a rule Friday changing enforcement of the Endangered Species Act to allow habitat damage if animals are not directly harmed, reversing a 50-year-old regulatory standard applied in federal environmental reviews…
1,300 Species Lose Habitat Protections in White House Decision
For over 50 years, the Endangered Species Act (ESA) has served as a landmark environmental protection law. By mandating conservation for species threatened with extinction, it promoted biodiversity and the health of ecosystems ahead of commercial development. On Friday, the Trump administration rescinded a key interpretation of the ESA, removing its ability to protect the habitats of endangered species. Environmentalists called the change a majo…
The rule favors oil companies, mining companies and other industries ...
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