Trump Administration Move Threatens Habitat Protections for Endangered Species

The Trump administration is proposing a change to the Endangered Species Act (ESA) that environmental groups warn could lead to the extinction of critically endangered species by eliminating habitat protections, as per The AP.

The proposed rule, issued jointly by the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), would redefine the long-standing definition of “harm” under the ESA, excluding habitat modification and destruction.

Currently, the definition of “harm” includes altering or destroying the places endangered and threatened species live. Environmentalists argue that habitat destruction is the primary driver of extinction.

The proposed rule asserts that habitat modification should not be considered “harm” because it is not the same as intentionally targeting a species, which is defined as “take” under the ESA. However, environmental groups contend that the definition of “take” has always encompassed actions that harm species, and the existing definition of “harm” has been upheld by the US Supreme Court.

The proposed rule, expected to be published in the Federal Register on Thursday, will initiate a 30-day public comment period. The Department of Interior declined to comment on the matter.

Environmental groups are prepared to challenge the rule in court if it is adopted. Drew Caputo, an attorney at Earthjustice, confirmed this intention.

The potential impact of this rule is particularly concerning in Hawaii, which has the highest concentration of endangered species in the nation. Despite comprising less than 1% of the US land area, Hawaii accounts for 40% of the nation’s federally listed threatened and endangered species, according to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. The proposed rule change could significantly undermine conservation efforts in the state.