Trump administration rolls back a key protection for imperiled wildlife
The Trump administration has finalized a rule narrowing the definition of 'harm' under the Endangered Species Act. This change allows for industrial activities like mining and drilling on critical habitats, provided the animals themselves are not directly injured.
Why it matters
This policy shift represents a significant rollback of environmental protections, potentially accelerating habitat loss and species extinction.
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PHOENIX — The Trump administration finalized a rule Friday that changes how agencies enforce the Endangered Species Act and eliminates a key protection for imperiled wildlife against logging, oil drilling and other activities.
The administration narrowed the definition of "harm" under the landmark law — a change with broad implications.
For decades, the government defined harm broadly to include encroachments on places with threatened and endangered animals. The change announced Friday would allow oil and gas drilling, mining, logging and and other development on critical wildlife habitats so long as the animals themselves aren't killed or injured.
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