Ire over changes to endangered species law in US
US President Donald Trump’s administration on Monday finalised rollbacks to key provisions of the Endangered Species Act, a law supported by a large majority of Americans and credited with saving the grey wolf, bald eagle and grizzly bear.
The move was met with anger from environmental groups and Democratic politicians, including presidential candidate Joe Biden, while two states announced they would take legal action.
Amendments include removing a rule that automatically conveys the same protections to threatened species and endangered species, and allowing information on economic impact to be gathered when making determinations on how wildlife is listed.
Interior secretary David Bernhardt said: “The best way to uphold the Endangered Species Act is to do everything we can to ensure it remains effective in achieving its ultimate goal – recovery of our rarest species.
“An effectively administered act ensures more resources can go where they will do the most good: on-the-ground conservation,” the former oil and gas lobbyist said.
Biden, the leading contender for the Democratic Party’s nomination in 2020’s presidential election, said the amendments could push some species towards oblivion.
“For decades, the Endangered Species Act has protected our most vulnerable wildlife from extinction,” he tweeted.
“Now, President Trump wants to throw it all away.”
He was joined in his criticism by Democratic senator Dianne Feinstein of California.
Conservation groups also reacted with dismay, vowing legal challenges.
The attorneys-general of California and Massachusetts announced their intention to sue the administration over the changes to the act. –