The Biden administration has taken steps to reinforce protections for endangered species, effectively reversing changes implemented during the Trump presidency that weakened the Endangered Species Act. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is reinstating a long-standing regulation that automatically safeguards species newly listed as threatened. This regulation, discarded in 2019, ensures immediate protection for vulnerable species without delay. The reinstated rule aims to bolster species' populations before they face imminent extinction. A key aspect of this reversal involves disregarding economic considerations when determining whether a species requires protection. Additionally, the updated rules simplify designating critical habitats for species survival, even in areas where the species no longer resides. This provision could aid the recovery of imperiled aquatic life in the Southeast. While the Biden administration emphasizes the urgency of these measures to prevent further extinctions, Republican lawmakers and industry groups express concerns. They argue that the renewed focus on conservation hinders economic development and disregards the contributions of private conservation efforts. The proposed rules, expected to take a year to finalize, are likely to face significant opposition. The changes implemented under the Trump administration, including reduced protections for species like the northern spotted owl and gray wolves, were often criticized for prioritizing economic interests over scientific evidence. The Biden administration asserts that these revisions restore the Endangered Species Act to its original intent, ensuring the law effectively conserves wildlife while considering human needs. The administration highlights the importance of these changes in the face of climate change and increasing extinction rates. However, environmental groups, while welcoming the changes, express frustration over the delay in reversing the Trump-era rollbacks. They also voice concerns about the possibility of a future administration once again weakening these crucial protections. The Endangered Species Act has played a significant role in preventing the extinction of numerous species since its enactment in 1973. Currently, it safeguards over 1,600 species within the United States and its territories.
A northern spotted owl perched on a tree branch. (AP Photo/Don Ryan, File)
