The Biden administration has reinstated rules to protect imperiled species and their habitats, reversing measures rolled back under former President Donald Trump. One significant change is the restoration of a decades-old regulation that mandates blanket protections for newly classified threatened animals and plants. This means officials won't have to create specific plans for each species while protections are pending.
Republicans have criticized the move, arguing that the Endangered Species Act is being applied too broadly and hindering economic growth. Wildlife advocates, while partially satisfied, note that some harmful changes made under Trump remain untouched.
Another rule clarifies that species must be evaluated for threatened or endangered status regardless of potential economic costs. This aims to prevent confusion caused by the removal of an explicit directive to ignore economic impacts in the 2019 Trump rules.
The rules also make it easier to designate critical areas for species survival, even if the species is no longer found in those locations. This change could benefit imperiled fish and freshwater mussels in the Southeast.
Officials emphasized the importance of using the best available science to address threats such as climate change, habitat loss, invasive species, and wildlife disease that endanger many species.
Environmentalists expressed frustration at the delay in reversing Trump-era rollbacks, fearing that a future Republican administration could further ease protections. While some essential protections have been restored, concerns remain about provisions that could lead to habitat destruction.
Republican lawmakers have criticized the changes, arguing that they hinder development in industries such as oil, gas, and coal. Property rights advocates also raise concerns about the impact on private landowners' conservation efforts.
The Endangered Species Act, signed into law in 1973, has faced ongoing scrutiny from industries seeking regulatory relief. The Biden administration's actions mark a shift from the Trump era's efforts to weaken environmental protections.
Despite ongoing debates and challenges, the Endangered Species Act continues to play a crucial role in protecting wildlife and habitats, with over 1,600 species currently under its safeguard in the United States and its territories.
