US ends automatic protection for threatened species, raising extinction concerns

The Trump administration has eliminated automatic protections for species classified as "threatened" under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), a move environmental groups warn could accelerate extinctions. Source: Clarin, Excelsiormx

What changed

• Automatic protections removed: Threatened species no longer automatically receive the same protections as endangered ones; each now requires a specific conservation plan, a process that may take months or years. Source: Clarin, Excelsiormx
• Economic considerations: The Interior Department can now factor in economic impacts and national security when designating critical habitat. Source: Diariolibree

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum defended the changes, arguing the ESA has been "used for too long to stop almost any new project in the United States." Source: Clarin, Diariolibree

Reaction

Environmentalists strongly criticized the rollback. Noah Greenwald of the Center for Biological Diversity said that exempting industries that destroy habitats would remove "the main threat" to these species. Source: Clarin Among species awaiting protection are the monarch butterfly, alligator snapping turtle, and California spotted owl. Source: Excelsiormx Groups plan to challenge the rules in court. Source: Diariolibree