The Biden administration has finalized rules that aim to restore protections for imperiled animals and plants that were loosened under the Trump administration. These rules give federal officials more flexibility to protect species in a changing climate, reinstate protections for animals classified as “threatened,” and ensure decisions regarding species listing are made without considering economic factors. The importance of the Endangered Species Act is underscored in light of the challenges species face today, including climate change and habitat degradation. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s fisheries service issued the finalized rules, emphasizing their commitment to conserving and recovering endangered species for generations to come.
Despite the efforts of the Biden administration, the finalized rules are expected to face opposition from Republicans and industry groups, with Representative Bruce Westerman criticizing the changes as undoing crucial reforms that will not benefit listed species. The rules are likely to result in new lawsuits, with critics arguing that the restrictions imposed by the Endangered Species Act are harmful to industries such as farming, ranching, oil and gas, and forestry. The National Mining Association supports the conservation goals of the Act but believes that it imposes unnecessary restrictions on development and creates regulatory uncertainty.
Environmental groups have eagerly awaited the reversal of the Trump-era rules but have criticized the Biden administration for not going far enough in restoring protections for endangered species. Despite some important rules being restored, concerns remain about critical habitats being picked apart and past harms to species being ignored. The lack of funding from Congress for federal, state, and tribal biologists to recover threatened and endangered species further highlights the importance of strong protections under the Endangered Species Act.
The Endangered Species Act, which turned 50 last year, has been both praised and criticized. Supporters view it as a landmark law that has saved numerous species from extinction, while critics argue that it hampers economic activity and infringes on states’ and individuals’ rights. The Trump administration weakened the Act by undoing protections for threatened animals and allowing economic assessments in species protection decisions. Environmental groups have opposed these changes, arguing that economic considerations have no place in decisions related to protecting endangered species.
During the public comment period for the new rules, officials received a significant number of comments from various groups, including industries, environmental advocates, states, and tribes. Individuals also voiced their opinions, with some calling for stronger protections for wildlife in the face of human-induced extinctions. The reversal of the Trump-era rules represents a step forward in the protection of endangered species, but concerns persist about the potential impacts on industries and the need for robust funding to support species recovery efforts.
