Proposed ESA Change Threatens Wildlife Protection
**The federal government is proposing to narrow the definition of “harm” under the Endangered Species Act (ESA),** removing habitat degradation from consideration. This means only direct injury or death of species would be considered a violation—**ignoring the critical role of habitat in species survival.**
Here’s why this change is dangerous:
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### 🌲 1. Habitat Loss is the #1 Threat to Endangered Species
– Most species on the ESA list are there because of **habitat destruction**.
– Without access to food, shelter, and breeding grounds, animals cannot survive—**even if they aren’t directly harmed.**
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### ⏳ 2. It Undermines Prevention and Early Action
– The ESA is meant to **prevent extinction**, not just respond once populations collapse.
– If habitat loss no longer counts as harm, **we lose the ability to protect species before it’s too late.**
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### 🏗️ 3. A Loophole for Destructive Development
– Industries could **destroy ecosystems**, displace species, or fragment migration paths—as long as no animals are killed immediately.
– This shift protects profit, **not biodiversity.**
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### ⚖️ 4. It Breaks with Legal Precedent
– The U.S. Supreme Court upheld the inclusion of habitat degradation as harm in *Babbitt v. Sweet Home* (1995).
– **This change would reverse nearly 30 years of legal interpretation.**
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### 🛑 5. Weakens Recovery Efforts
– Every ESA recovery plan includes habitat protection and restoration.
– If habitat can’t be legally protected, **these plans become toothless.**
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### 🐢 6. Targets the Most Vulnerable Species
– Species with **specialized habitat needs**, like the northern spotted owl, are especially at risk.
– Even small disturbances could wipe out local populations.
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### 🌍 7. Increases Climate Risk
– As species **shift their ranges** due to climate change, they need connected and healthy habitats.
– This change would make **climate adaptation even harder** for endangered wildlife.
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What You Can Do
🔹 **Stay informed.**
🔹 **Contact your representatives.** Urge them to oppose weakening the ESA.
🔹 **Support organizations** fighting for wildlife and habitat protections.
🔹 **Submit a comment to the Federal Register by May 19th.
The new administration proposal to gut the ESA by removing the requirement to protect the habitat of threatened or endangered species is being rushed through with only a 30-day window to submit comments. Comments can be easily submitted online and it is vitally important to do so. The notice is posted on the Federal Register website and deadline for comment is May 19, 2025.
The Endangered Species Act (ESA) became law in 1973. For over 50 years, it’s been successful at recovering birds and other species from the brink of extinction.
Despite its long running success and public support, the ESA has been under scrutiny by lawmakers that want to rewrite or get rid of the law altogether.
Right now there are several bills being considered by Congress that would undermine ESA protections for birds like the Spotted Owl, Marbled Murrelet, Red Knot, and Kiwikiu.
Let your members of Congress know that you support the ESA and urge them to defend this bedrock environmental law.
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