The administration of President Donald Trump has initiated a significant rollback of protections for endangered species and their habitats, reviving regulatory changes that were previously blocked during Joe Biden's presidency. The proposed revisions to the Endangered Species Act regulations were announced Wednesday, marking a substantial shift in environmental policy that could impact conservation efforts across North America.
Key Changes to Species Protection Rules
Among the most significant proposed changes is the elimination of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's "blanket rule" that automatically extends protections to plants and animals when they're classified as threatened. Instead of receiving immediate safeguards, each species would require specific, individually crafted protection rules—a process that conservationists warn could take years to implement.
The administration's move responds to longstanding requests from Republican lawmakers and various industries, including oil and gas, mining, and agriculture. These groups have argued that the 1973 environmental law has been applied too broadly, potentially hindering economic development and resource extraction projects.
Environmental Concerns and Potential Impacts
Environmental organizations have expressed alarm about the proposed changes, warning that they could create dangerous delays in protecting vulnerable species. Stephanie Kurose from the Center for Biological Diversity voiced strong opposition, stating: "We would have to wait until these poor animals are almost extinct before we can start protecting them. That's absurd and heartbreaking."
Species that could be affected include the monarch butterfly, Florida manatee, California spotted owl, and North American wolverine. The timing is particularly concerning given that scientists and government agencies globally report accelerating extinction rates due to habitat loss and other environmental pressures.
Economic Considerations and Industry Perspectives
Another proposed revision would require officials to analyze economic impacts when determining whether habitat should be designated as critical to a species' survival. This change aligns with the administration's broader focus on energy production and reducing regulatory barriers to development.
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum defended the proposals, stating they restore the Endangered Species Act to its original intent while respecting "the livelihoods of Americans who depend on our land and resources." He emphasized that the changes would provide "certainty to states, tribes, landowners and businesses while ensuring conservation efforts remain grounded in sound science and common sense."
Industry groups have welcomed the proposed revisions. Jonathan Wood, Vice President of the Property and Environment Research Center (PERC), described the move as a "necessary course correction" that addresses what his organization considers an unlawful application of the blanket protection rule.
Case Study: The Yarrow's Spiny Lizard
The potential consequences of these regulatory changes are illustrated by the situation facing the Yarrow's spiny lizard in the southwestern United States. Rising temperatures have devastated a population of these lizards in Arizona's Mule Mountains, forcing them to higher elevations and potentially toward extinction.
A protection petition filed Wednesday seeks to list the lizard as endangered and designate critical habitat. However, the proposed requirement for economic impact analysis could significantly delay such protections. The primary threat to this species—climate change—also complicates traditional habitat designation approaches.
John Wiens, a professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at the University of Arizona who co-authored the petition, expressed concern about the lizard's status: "We think that the species should be listed as endangered. In fact, we are somewhat shocked that it is not already extinct."
The Endangered Species Act currently protects more than 1,600 species in the United States and its territories. The legislation has been credited with successful recovery efforts for iconic species including the bald eagle and California condor since its enactment under Republican President Richard Nixon.
