US Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service Move to Gut Endangered Species Act with New Rule

WASHINGTON, D.C.  — The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service today proposed a rule that would eliminate the long-standing definition of “harm” under the Endangered Species Act, undermining core protections for endangered wildlife. The move would also strip habitat destruction from the list of prohibited actions under the law, making it easier for industry to pollute and degrade critical ecosystems—without consequence. 

Following is a reaction from Lucas Rhoads, Senior Project Attorney at NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council): 

“This rule would open the door for destruction—plain and simple. By stripping away the definition of 'harm,' these agencies are trying to erase decades of legal precedent and scientific consensus that habitat loss is one of the greatest threats to imperiled and endangered species. If this rule goes into effect, bulldozing a nesting ground or draining a wetland could go unpunished—even if it results in the death of a species on the brink. This is an open invitation to drive America’s most imperiled wildlife closer to extinction.” 

NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) is an international nonprofit environmental organization with more than 3 million members and online activists. Established in 1970, NRDC uses science, policy, law and people power to confront the climate crisis, protect public health and safeguard nature. NRDC has offices in New York City, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Beijing and Delhi (an office of NRDC India Pvt. Ltd).