Trump Administration Finalizes Rule Narrowing ‘Harm’ Definition Under Endangered Species Act
The Trump administration finalized a rule that narrows the definition of "harm" under the Endangered Species Act, impacting how agencies enforce protections for imperiled wildlife.
Miami Fort Lauderdale, FL, July 11, 2026 —
The Trump administration has finalized a rule that narrows the definition of “harm” as it applies to the Endangered Species Act (ESA). This regulatory change is expected to alter how federal agencies enforce protections for wildlife and habitats listed as endangered or threatened.
The Endangered Species Act, enacted in 1973, provides a framework for conserving and protecting plant and animal species at risk of extinction. A key component of the Act involves prohibiting the “take” of protected species, which traditionally included actions that would significantly impair their ability to survive and reproduce. The revised rule clarifies what constitutes “harm” in this context.
Under the new definition, “harm” will be more narrowly interpreted to include only acts that cause actual injury to wildlife. This excludes broader impacts such as habitat modification or degradation that might indirectly affect species survival. The change is anticipated to affect how federal agencies, such as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service, assess the potential impacts of their actions on protected species.
The administration stated that the goal of the finalized rule is to provide greater clarity and predictability in the implementation of the ESA. Critics, however, have expressed concerns that this redefinition could weaken protections for endangered species by limiting the scope of activities that are considered violations of the Act. They argue that habitat protection is crucial for species recovery and that excluding habitat modification from the definition of harm could lead to irreversible damage to vulnerable populations.
The specifics of the contractor involved in drafting or implementing this rule were not provided. Furthermore, the timeline for when this new definition will fully take effect or any potential immediate impacts were not detailed in the provided summary.
Story summarized from the original created by The Associated Press on www.npr.org, see more information here.
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