Endangered Species Act: Changes Could Impact Wildlife and Economy

The U. S. government is considering significant changes to how it protects endangered and threatened species. These changes could make it harder to protect certain animals and plants. The current rules automatically protect species when they are listed as threatened. The new rules would require specific protections for each species, which could take a long time. Some people support these changes. They argue that the current rules are too strict and hurt economic growth. Others, like environmentalists, are worried. They say the changes could delay efforts to save species like the monarch butterfly and the Florida manatee. Scientists warn that extinctions are increasing worldwide due to habitat loss and other issues. The changes also include considering economic impacts when deciding if an area is critical for a species' survival. This could make it harder to protect habitats, especially for species threatened by climate change, like the Yarrow's spiny lizard in Arizona. The lizard's population has decreased due to rising temperatures, and experts are concerned about its survival. The government says these changes will make the rules clearer and more practical. However, critics argue that the changes could weaken protections for endangered species. They point out that the Endangered Species Act has been successful in saving many species, like the bald eagle and the American alligator. The changes come after a lawsuit challenged the current blanket protection rule. Some groups argue that the rule is too broad and discourages state and landowner involvement in species recovery. The proposed changes aim to address these concerns and put more focus on species recovery.