The Biden administration has finalized a series of rules to restore protections for imperiled animals and plants that were loosened under the Trump administration. These rules give federal officials more leeway to protect species in a changing climate, bring back protections for threatened animals, and clarify that decisions about listing a species must not consider economic factors. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s fisheries service issued the finalized rules, emphasizing the importance of the Endangered Species Act in conserving and recovering species facing challenges like climate change and habitat loss.
Republicans and industry groups have criticized the finalized rules, accusing the Biden administration of undoing crucial reforms and issuing regulations that will not benefit listed species. The rules are expected to result in new lawsuits as groups like the Nevada Farm Bureau Federation, oil and gas industry, foresters, and states that want more control over managing wildlife have spoken out against them. While the National Mining Association supports the conservation goals of the Endangered Species Act, they believe the law imposes unnecessary restrictions on development and creates regulatory uncertainty.
Environmental groups have eagerly awaited the reversal of the Trump-era rules but criticized the Biden administration for not restoring enough protections for endangered species. Despite the restoration of important rules, concerns remain that critical habitats may still be picked apart piece by piece, and past harms to species could be ignored. The lack of funding from Congress for biological recovery efforts further highlights the importance of rules protecting threatened and endangered species.
The Endangered Species Act, which celebrated its 50th anniversary last year, is both praised and criticized. Those who prioritize environmental health see it as a landmark law that has saved many species from extinction, while critics argue it hinders economic activity and infringes on state and individual rights. The Trump administration weakened the law by undoing protections for threatened animals and allowing economic assessments in decisions on protecting species, a move that was reversed by the Biden administration.
During the public comment period for the new rules, officials received over 468,000 comments from various groups representing industries, environmental advocates, states, tribes, and individuals. Comments supporting strengthening the law emphasized the role of humans in creating a potential sixth extinction event and called for following scientific evidence. The restoration of protections for imperiled species under the finalized rules reflects a commitment to conservation efforts in the face of biodiversity loss and environmental challenges around the world.
