** Endangered species' critical habitat faces another threat
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Tuesday, September 8, 2020
Grizzly in Lamar Valley, National Park Service ([link removed])
On Friday, the Trump administration introduced yet another rollback ([link removed]) of protections for endangered species. The change would allow the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) to give more weight to the economic impacts of designating critical habitat for species, further tilting precedence towards industry. While FWS already considers economic impacts, the proposed rule would allow industry to submit their own economic impact assessments.
This is not the first time that the Trump administration has proposed to weaken the Endangered Species Act. Last year, a major rollback ([link removed]) allowed agencies to start including the economic impact of listing a species. In July, FWS proposed a rule that excludes habitat that currently doesn't hold an endangered species from being included in its listing, ignoring impending range shifts due to climate change. A group of 100 lawmakers, headed by House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Raúl Grijalva, said in a letter ([link removed]) , "We are alarmed by this proposed rule, especially in the context of the three regulations finalized last year that weakened ESA implementation. This onslaught of environmental rollbacks that threaten the survival of our nation’s wildlife must stop."
Quick hits
** Trump seeks to fast-track dozens of fossil fuel projects during pandemic
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The Guardian ([link removed])
** Taxpayer, conservation groups pressure U.S. to halt drilling auctions due to low demand
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Reuters ([link removed])
** Trump administration proposal would make it tougher to protect habitat for endangered species
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The Hill ([link removed])
** EPA set up new "Western lands-focused" office to oversee mine reclamation
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Salt Lake Tribune ([link removed])
** Wildfire threats prompt Forest Service to close all national forest day-use areas in California
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Adventure Journal ([link removed])
** Trump cuts oil and gas drillers' rent on public lands, as state budgets suffer
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The Guardian ([link removed])
** Mojave Desert fire destroyed the heart of a beloved Joshua tree forest
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Los Angeles Times ([link removed])
** Sen. Tom Udall's Big Idea: Expand federally protected land
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Fox News ([link removed])
Quote of the day
Conservation and environmental protection can play a critical role in our economic recovery. Conservation is a job creator, plain and simple, and it’s one of the best ways we can put people back to work. It’s a win-win.”
—Senator Tom Udall, Fox News ([link removed])
Picture this
** @NatlParkService ([link removed])
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Wildflower "garden" in Death Valley Wilderness
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