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Defender,
BREAKING: Defenders of Wildlife just notified the Trump administration of our intent to sue over the administration’s rescission of the long-standing definition of “harm” under the Endangered Species Act.
Previously, significant habitat destruction that led to death or injury of protected species constituted illegal “take” unless authorized. The administration’s move to roll back the regulatory definition of “harm” would allow for habitats protected under the ESA to be exploited and developed by private industries – leading to devastating outcomes for threatened and endangered animals on these lands.
“The law has been clear for decades: destroying the habitat – the home – of endangered wildlife harms that species that must be appropriately authorized and minimized. Rescinding this definition is wholly out of bounds and misaligned with the vast majority of Americans who support protecting and recovering endangered species,” said Jane Davenport, senior attorney at Defenders of Wildlife.
“We will use the full force of the law to fight back and prevent industry from unfettered destruction of critical forests, streams, deserts, oceans and coastlines.”
Read our press release announcing our decision here!
Abandoning the longstanding “harm” definition under the ESA ignores legal history and the overwhelming scientific evidence linking habitat loss to extinction. Defenders plans to pursue legal action to hold this administration accountable and prevent untold losses of imperiled animals throughout the country.
Sincerely,
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