The Trump administration on Wednesday proposed changes to the Endangered Species Act that would weaken protections for critical animal habitats. A draft rule issued by the Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration would eliminate language defining “harm” to endangered species to include habitat modification.
The agencies argue that the current definition “runs contrary” to the best reading of the law and are seeking to limit protections to instances of direct harm only.
Environmental groups strongly opposed the move, warning it could greenlight habitat destruction from industrial activity. “There’s just no way to protect animals and plants from extinction without protecting the places they live,” said Noah Greenwald of the Center for Biological Diversity. He added his group plans to challenge the rule in court.
The rollback could impact species such as sea turtles, salmon, and spotted owls whose survival depends on preserved habitats.
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