Environmental groups sue the Trump administration to stop a policy change to the Endangered Species Act that adjusts how the term “harm” is defined for protecting threatened species and their habitats. Multiple outlets report that the administration announced the change and is rolling back aspects of the “harm” definition that regulators use when determining whether wildlife and habitat protections apply. The groups argue that narrowing the meaning of “harm” would make it harder to treat certain impacts as covered under the law, potentially reducing protections for species and allowing more development or other activities in areas that would otherwise be safeguarded.
The lawsuits seek to block the redefinition from taking effect or to halt enforcement pending court review. The issue centers on how federal agencies interpret statutory language in carrying out the Endangered Species Act. According to the reports, the change would affect the regulatory framework that determines when actions can be restricted due to potential harm to species and their habitats. The outcome depends on the courts’ evaluation of the legality of the administration’s rule or policy adjustment.
