The administration officially rescinded the "harm" rule under the Endangered Species Act to streamline federal wildlife protections.
The administration announced the official rescinding of the "harm" rule under the Endangered Species Act, a move that removes habitat degradation from the legal definition of what constitutes harm to endangered species. Under the previous rule, developers and landowners were prohibited from causing significant habitat modification that disrupted breeding, feeding, or sheltering areas. The new rule simplifies the process for oil and gas drillers, mining companies, and ranchers by focusing on direct actions that kill or injure wildlife. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum defended the change, stating the old rules acted as a "regulatory trap" and that the new guidelines will reduce permitting costs and eliminate confusion for small businesses and local governments. While environmental groups and tribes have filed lawsuits to challenge the repeal, the administration argues that the change aligns with a more direct reading of the law. Proponents of the change believe it will foster economic growth, while critics warn that habitat loss remains the primary threat to the nation's 2,300 listed species.