The Trump administration is proposing to narrow protections for endangered species, a move that environmentalists warn could hasten extinction by allowing critical habitats to be opened up for development, logging, mining, and other activities. This deregulatory effort is part of President Donald Trump’s broader agenda to dismantle endangered species protections in order to facilitate energy extraction and industrial access in sensitive natural areas.

The proposal, put forth by the US Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service, seeks to redefine terms in the 1973 Endangered Species Act, particularly “harm” and “take”. Under the new interpretation, habitat destruction would no longer be considered “harm” but rather “take”, which would have significant implications for species and their habitats.

Environmentalists argue that this change could have devastating effects, as habitat loss is a major driver of species extinction. The current rule has played a crucial role in protecting over 1,700 species and preventing their extinction, including iconic species like the bald eagle.

Critics of the proposal fear that if adopted, it would allow activities such as logging and development to proceed unchecked as long as they are not directly intended to harm an endangered species. Environmental groups are already gearing up to challenge the rule in court, raising questions about the administration’s legal authority to repeal protections upheld by the supreme court.

The proposal has sparked concerns, especially in states like Hawaii, where a significant number of endangered species are at risk. Experts warn that removing these safeguards could exacerbate the extinction crisis in Hawaii and threaten both biological and cultural heritage. The potential impact of this rule change extends beyond Hawaii and could have far-reaching consequences for conservation efforts nationwide.