US states sue Trump administration over weakening endangered species protections
Attorneys general from 20 Democratic-led US states and the District of Columbia have filed two lawsuits against President Donald Trump’s administration over the weakening of protections for endangered species. The plaintiffs argue that the federal government unlawfully narrowed safeguards provided for under the US Endangered Species Act, adopted in 1973.
As Al Jazeera English reports, the lawsuits were filed less than two months after the US Departments of the Interior and Commerce announced final rules. According to the states, the changes could make it easier for companies to develop environmentally sensitive lands inhabited by endangered species.
Dispute over the definition of harm
The first lawsuit challenges the narrowing of the definition of “harm” in the 1973 law. Previously, the term had long been interpreted as including threats to the habitats of animals and plants. The plaintiffs say the new rule could pave the way for mining or drilling in sensitive areas if such actions are not directly and intentionally aimed at specific animals.
Washington State Attorney General Nick Brown said that, in his view, the Trump administration is trying to undermine the law, the will of Congress and public support for protecting endangered species. Environmental organizations have also gone to court over the change to this rule.
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New limits on protections
The second lawsuit targets two new rules. One of them eliminates broad protections for newly listed threatened species unless the US Fish and Wildlife Service introduces separate regulations for a specific species.
Another rule requires the government to consider objections from private companies before designating certain areas as critical habitat. The states believe that, because of these changes, species will have fewer protection guarantees than Congress intended. California Attorney General Rob Bonta said that caring for wildlife and the environment is part of caring for the future.
For its part, the Trump administration said the lawsuits seek to protect excessive regulation. A US Interior Department spokesperson, as reported by Reuters, said federal agencies must enforce the law as written rather than expand its scope through interpretations supported by public organizations.
