Key facts
- The Trump administration finalized a rule altering the Endangered Species Act's definition of "harm".
- The new definition excludes habitat destruction, allowing development like logging and mining in critical habitats.
- Environmentalists warn this change will increase habitat destruction and species extinction.
- The administration claims the rule aligns with the law's original intent and supports economic growth.
The Trump administration has finalized a rule that redefines "harm" under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), a move environmental advocates fear will significantly increase habitat destruction for imperiled wildlife. For decades, the ESA's definition of harm encompassed protecting critical habitats, a stance upheld by the Supreme Court in 1995. The administration has now reframed this as an "intrusion" that interferes with private property rights, effectively removing broad habitat protections. Habitat destruction is identified as the leading cause of species loss, and the ESA has been credited with preventing the extinction of 99% of the over 1,700 species it has protected. Experts warn that this regulatory rollback could be devastating for species already on the brink, especially amidst a broader extinction crisis. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum stated that federal agencies had previously abused the ESA to obstruct lawful land use and burden American families and businesses.