The Trump administration has announced plans to revive a series of changes to Endangered Species Act (ESA) regulations that were previously implemented during Donald Trump’s first term and later blocked under the Biden administration.
One of the main proposed changes is the removal of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s “blanket rule,” which automatically provides protections for animals and plants classified as threatened. Under the new proposal, government agencies would need to develop specific rules for each species, a process that could take significant time.
Supporters of these revisions include Republicans in Congress and representatives from industries such as oil, gas, mining, and agriculture. They have argued that the ESA has been applied too broadly, negatively impacting economic growth.
However, environmental groups have expressed concern about potential delays in protecting vulnerable species. Stephanie Kurose from the Center for Biological Diversity stated, “We would have to wait until these poor animals are almost extinct before we can start protecting them. That’s absurd and heartbreaking.”
Scientists warn that global extinction rates are increasing due to habitat loss and other factors. Proposed revisions also include changing how “harm” is defined under the ESA and potentially allowing logging projects in national forests without certain species protections.
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said in a statement that these actions restore “the Endangered Species Act to its original intent while respecting ‘the livelihoods of Americans who depend on our land and resources.’” He added, “These revisions end years of legal confusion and regulatory overreach, delivering certainty to states, tribes, landowners and businesses while ensuring conservation efforts remain grounded in sound science and common sense.”
Another aspect of Wednesday’s proposal would require officials to consider possible economic impacts when designating critical habitats for species survival.
Advocates highlighted concerns through examples such as the Yarrow’s spiny lizard in Arizona’s Mule Mountains. The lizard population is being pushed toward extinction by rising temperatures linked to climate change. A petition was filed seeking endangered status for this lizard along with critical habitat designation. John Wiens, professor at the University of Arizona who co-authored the petition, said: “We think that the species should be listed as endangered. In fact, we are somewhat shocked that it is not already extinct.”
The Interior Department faces ongoing litigation regarding its blanket protection rule; groups including Property and Environment Research Center (PERC) argue it discourages state or private involvement in recovery efforts because there is little incentive if restrictions remain unchanged after downgrading a species’ status from endangered to threatened.
PERC Vice President Jonathan Wood called Wednesday’s announcement a “necessary course correction” following Biden-era policies: “This reform acknowledges the blanket rule’s unlawfulness and puts recovery back at the heart of the Endangered Species Act.”
During Trump’s first term, his administration also reduced protections for specific species like the northern spotted owl and gray wolf. These decisions were later reversed—protections for spotted owls were reinstated after concerns over faulty science used by political appointees; federal courts restored wolf protections across much of the country in 2022.
Montoya Bryan contributed reporting from Albuquerque.
