USDA, JACK DYKINGA
Congressional Republicans have introduced at least 11 bills since January that could weaken the Endangered Species Act (ESA), Climate Central reported this week (March 6). According to Scientific American, no fewer than 12 state attorneys general have asked President Donald Trump to roll back specific ESA regulations that protect endangered habitats by restricting access to state-owned land.
Since 1984, the ESA has included a clause that all habitats deemed crucial to the survival of an endangered species be protected by federal law. Under the Obama administration, these rules were extended to also protect land that endangered species do not yet inhabit, but could be used for species rehabilitation in the future.
Opponents have argued that the act is a federal land grab. “It has never ...
