Trump narrows Endangered Species Act rule on habitat harm
Why it matters: The change lets projects proceed in some critical habitats if animals are not directly killed or injured.
The Trump administration finalized a rule Friday that narrows how the Endangered Species Act defines "harm," stripping a long-standing habitat safeguard for threatened and endangered wildlife. The change means activities such as oil and gas drilling, mining, logging and other development may move ahead in critical habitat so long as protected animals are not directly killed or injured. Administration officials said the rule restores the law’s original meaning and pointed to the Supreme Court’s 2024 Loper Bright v. Raimondo decision, which limited agency latitude in interpreting statutes. Environmental groups warned the move could speed habitat destruction, which they say is the leading driver of extinction.