A proposed change to the Endangered Species Act has native environmental teams anxious.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Nationwide Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration wish to repeal the definition of the phrase “harm,” which specifies protections beneath the act. Whereas it would look like a minor change, opponents say it can put habitat crucial to the survival of endangered and threatened species in danger.
“If you were to put it in human terms, it’s just like saying it’s OK if they take your house, your clothing, your food, your shelter, as long as they’re not eliminating you. It’s kind of harder to survive without those basic things being met,” mentioned Steve Manlow, govt director for the Decrease Columbia Fish Restoration Board.
The Trump administration desires to rescind the present definition, claiming the Fish and Wildlife Service’s interpretations have expanded past the Endangered Species Act’s attain. The present definition prohibits any exercise that might “harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture or collect” an endangered species, together with hurt or injury to a species’ habitat. The Trump administration says the federal legislation solely prohibits the seize or killing of untamed animals.
Manlow mentioned the fish restoration board’s purpose is to get better salmon and steelhead populations to wholesome and harvestable ranges, and that the federal statute is essential to these restoration efforts.
