Trump Administration Guts Endangered Species Act Habitat Protections

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Trump administration rescinded the regulatory definition of "harm" under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) late Friday afternoon, reversing the long-standing view that the ESA prohibits destroying habitat in a way that hurts listed species. The change means that only actions directed at individuals of a species are banned, creating a gaping loophole in protections for endangered species. 

Following is a statement from Andrew Wetzler, senior vice president, Nature, at NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council):

“You cannot protect a species while you destroy its home. Preserving species’ habitats is the only way to ensure they can be protected. Habitat is the food, the water, and the shelter that keep plants and animals alive, and this rule tells industry it can wipe those out and walk away.

“This did not come from science. And it doesn’t reflect lawmakers’ intent in passing our most important wildlife protection law. It is part of a broad campaign from the industries that want to clear the way to destroy and pollute lands and waters. The public has made it clear that we don’t want this. The Endangered Species Act has kept America's wildlife from vanishing for more than half a century, and we will fight to keep it strong.”

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).