PHOENIX (AP) — The Trump administration on Friday completed a rule change that significantly alters how the Endangered Species Act is enforced, stripping away a major protection that had long shielded vulnerable wildlife from habitat destruction caused by logging, oil drilling, and other development activities.
At the heart of the change is a narrowed definition of the word “harm” under the landmark environmental law — a shift that carries sweeping consequences for wildlife across the country.
For decades, the federal government interpreted “harm” broadly, meaning that encroaching on the habitat of threatened or endangered animals could be considered a violation of the law. Under the new rule finalized Friday, industries such as oil and gas, mining, and logging can operate in critical wildlife habitats as long as the animals themselves are not directly killed or physically injured.
Wildlife advocates sounded the alarm, warning that the change could drive certain species to extinction by opening the door to widespread habitat destruction — which they note is already the leading cause of extinction. Meanwhile, industry groups and their Republican allies have long contended that the 1973 law has been applied too broadly, holding back economic development.
Administration officials defended the change, saying they are bringing the law back to its original intent. They pointed to a 2024 Supreme Court ruling that curtailed federal agencies’ ability to broadly interpret environmental laws passed by Congress. Officials also framed the previous definition of harm as an overreach that infringed on private property rights.
This rule change is part of a broader push by officials under President Donald Trump to roll back wildlife protections.
“For years, federal agencies abused the ESA to obstruct lawful land use and burden American families and businesses,” Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said in a statement.
The rule was first put forward in April 2025, and environmentalists mounted an unsuccessful effort to stop it from taking effect.
“This is one of the most horrific attempts to harm wildlife in American history and a gift to the oil barons and foreign mining companies,” said Aaron Weiss, executive director of the Center for Western Priorities.
The Endangered Species Act is widely credited with rescuing iconic American animals — among them the bald eagle, American alligator, and California condor — from the edge of extinction.
During Trump’s first term, Republicans rolled back several provisions of the law, but those changes were later reversed under Democratic President Joe Biden.
