The Trump administration's latest action could reshape wildlife conservation efforts by redefining critical terms in the Endangered Species Act.
Trump Administration Proposes Major Rewrite of Endangered Species Act
Trump Administration Proposes Major Rewrite of Endangered Species Act
The proposed changes would significantly weaken wildlife protections, raising concerns among environmentalists.
April 16, 2025, 6:58 p.m. ET — In a controversial move, the Trump administration is aiming to alter the long-standing Endangered Species Act (ESA) by redefining the term "harm." The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, alongside the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, released a proposal that seeks to replace the current interpretation, which includes habitat destruction as a form of harm to endangered species, with a more limited definition that primarily regards intentional killing or injury.
This effort aligns with President Trump's initiatives to boost economic activities such as drilling, logging, and development, by reducing regulatory hurdles tied to environmental protections. Administration officials justify the new interpretation by arguing that the existing definition is excessively broad and burdensome to business interests that seek permission for construction and resource extraction projects.
Environmental advocates have reacted sharply to this proposal, labeling it as a detrimental shift in wildlife conservation policy. They warn that habitat destruction is the predominant cause driving many species toward extinction. Andrew Bowman, president and CEO of Defenders of Wildlife, emphasized that the majority of listed endangered or threatened species urgently require habitat safeguards to ensure their survival.
Critics have characterized this proposed rule as one of the most significant rollbacks of the ESA since its inception in 1973 under President Richard Nixon, raising alarms about the future of countless species and their habitats across the nation.
This effort aligns with President Trump's initiatives to boost economic activities such as drilling, logging, and development, by reducing regulatory hurdles tied to environmental protections. Administration officials justify the new interpretation by arguing that the existing definition is excessively broad and burdensome to business interests that seek permission for construction and resource extraction projects.
Environmental advocates have reacted sharply to this proposal, labeling it as a detrimental shift in wildlife conservation policy. They warn that habitat destruction is the predominant cause driving many species toward extinction. Andrew Bowman, president and CEO of Defenders of Wildlife, emphasized that the majority of listed endangered or threatened species urgently require habitat safeguards to ensure their survival.
Critics have characterized this proposed rule as one of the most significant rollbacks of the ESA since its inception in 1973 under President Richard Nixon, raising alarms about the future of countless species and their habitats across the nation.
