U.S. Interior Department narrows ESA “harm” definition and revokes blanket protections
The U. S. Interior Department finalized a rule that narrows the definition of “harm” under the Endangered Species Act, allowing habitat alteration for development projects, according to the Los Angeles Times.
NPR reported that the rule sparked multiple lawsuits from environmental groups and Native tribes, while industry groups voiced support; Vox noted that environmental organizations warned the change could weaken wildlife protections. The Associated Press said the Interior Department also cancelled a regulation that had provided automatic, blanket protections for threatened plants and animals, shifting to case-by-case protection plans and requiring economic impact analyses. PBS and The Independent echoed that the move demands individual reviews and drew criticism from conservation groups.
