Center for Western Priorities

The Trump administration finalized a rule altering the Endangered Species Act's enforcement, narrowing the definition of 'harm' to allow activities like oil drilling and logging in critical wildlife habitats without directly killing animals. Environmentalists criticized the change as risking extinction for some species, while industry representatives supported it as reducing regulatory burdens.

The Trump administration finalized a rule narrowing the definition of 'harm' under the Endangered Species Act, allowing activities like oil drilling and logging in critical wildlife habitats if animals are not directly killed. Environmentalists warn this could accelerate species extinction, while industry groups argue it protects economic growth and private property rights.

The Trump administration finalized a rule changing the Endangered Species Act's enforcement by narrowing the definition of 'harm,' allowing activities like oil drilling and logging in critical wildlife habitats as long as animals are not directly killed. Environmentalists warn this could accelerate species extinction, while industry and Republican allies argue it promotes economic growth by reducing regulatory burdens.

The Trump administration finalized a rule changing how the Endangered Species Act is enforced, narrowing the definition of 'harm' to allow activities like oil drilling and logging in critical wildlife habitats. Environmentalists argue this could accelerate species extinction, while industry and Republican allies claim it corrects overreach and supports economic growth. The change follows a 2024 Supreme Court decision limiting federal agency authority.