The Trump administration has finalized a rule redefining what constitutes harm to endangered species and habitats under the 1973 Endangered Species Act. This change opens up sensitive habitats of protected species to drilling, mining, farming, and real estate development.
Background
The longstanding law had prohibited habitat modification or degradation because it could harm or kill endangered animals by impacting their ability to breed and find food or shelter. The Trump administration called the previous definition of harm outdated, arguing its move returns the interpretation of the ESA back to its actual text and original intent.
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum stated that the law’s approach had turned routine activity into a regulatory trap, driven up costs that impacted people’s lives, and expanded federal authority beyond what Congress intended. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick added that the new rule would benefit fishermen who suffered from overly broad and burdensome regulations.
Reactions
Environmental groups decried the move, planning to challenge the change in court. Earthjustice attorney Kristen Boyles said there is no support for the Trump Administration’s rule, citing no scientific, legal, or public support. Gib Brogan, senior campaign director at Oceana, noted that habitat loss is the number one cause of extinction, and removing habitat protections removes one of the law’s most important safeguards.
Original reporting: KRDO (Colorado Springs metro) — read the source article.
