Two Days Left to Defend Endangered Species
Dear John,
Last month, we let you know about a new rule proposed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) that would undermine the Endangered Species Act (ESA) by making it harder to protect the habitat that is critical for species' survival. As soon as the comment period on that proposal closed, the agency published another rule change that also targets critical habitat designation under the ESA. These attacks are relentless, but we can't give up--we must fight every single one of them.
The newest proposed regulations would expand the USFWS's ability to exclude areas essential to the conservation of threatened and endangered species from designation as critical habitat under the ESA. Among other problematic provisions, it states that the USFWS must exclude such areas if the economic benefits of using the land for development, such as for oil and gas extraction, grazing, and logging, are greater than those of protecting the area for wildlife (except in cases where extinction will result). These changes would grant economic considerations outsized weight in decisions about habitat, which is inconsistent with the ESA's intent that species' recovery needs should be prioritized and should be determined using the best available science.
Designation of critical habitat is a vital tool available under the ESA to help conserve species. Critical habitat is specific geographic areas that contain features essential to the conservation of a threatened or endangered species, including shelter, water, food, and other nutritional requirements; areas for breeding and raising young; and adequate space for animals to engage in normal growth and behaviors. Designation of critical habitat is more important than ever as species face increasing habitat loss due to conversion, pollution, and climate change.