The administration removed a rule that previously protected threatened species from habitat destruction under the Endangered Species Act.
The administration announced a new rule that narrows the definition of "harm" to species on the brink of extinction. Under the previous regulations, developers were prohibited from causing significant habitat modification or degradation. The new rule clarifies that "harm" primarily refers to actions that directly kill or injure wildlife, allowing for more industrial development in areas where animals are not immediately affected. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum stated that the previous rules acted as a "regulatory trap" that increased costs for families and weakened national competitiveness. By requiring individualized protection plans rather than automatic protections, the administration aims to reduce unnecessary permitting for oil, gas, and mining projects. While environmentalists argue that habitat loss is the primary threat to most species, the administration maintains that success should be measured by species recovery and delisting. The change provides a "green light" for corporations to expand infrastructure, though critics warn it may accelerate the decline of lesser-known species that lack high public visibility.