Biden Administration Reinstates Protections for Threatened Species

In a significant environmental policy shift, the Biden administration has announced the restoration of critical protections for threatened species and their habitats, reversing rollbacks implemented during the Trump era. This move, which took place in Billings, Montana, reinstates a decades-old regulation that provides blanket protections for animals and plants newly classified as threatened, a measure that had been removed under the previous administration’s suite of changes in 2019.

“Endangered Species” by konjure is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will no longer need to develop individualized plans for each species while protections are pending, a process that was recently applied to North American wolverines, alligator snapping turtles, and spotted owls. This change is expected to streamline conservation efforts and ensure immediate safeguards for vulnerable species.

Despite the positive reception from wildlife advocates, the restoration has been met with mixed reactions. Republicans argue that the Endangered Species Act is being used too broadly, hindering economic growth. On the other hand, environmentalists believe that while the reinstatement of protections is a step in the right direction, some potentially harmful changes from the Trump administration remain unaddressed.

Another rule clarified by the Biden administration dictates that decisions regarding the status of species as threatened or endangered must be made without considering economic costs. This aligns with current government practice, but the Trump-era rules had caused confusion by removing the explicit directive to disregard economic impacts.

The new regulations also simplify the process of designating critical habitats for species’ survival, even in areas where they are currently absent. This could greatly benefit imperiled fish and freshwater mussels in the Southeast, which have disappeared from parts of their historical range.

Fish and Wildlife Service Director Martha Williams emphasized the agency’s commitment to using the best available science to combat the threats of climate change, habitat degradation, invasive species, and wildlife diseases. The administration’s dedication to science-based policy is evident in the nearly half a million public comments received on the proposals.

The urgency to reverse the Trump-era rollbacks is heightened by the possibility of a future Republican administration that could once again weaken protections. Jamie Rappaport Clark, former Fish and Wildlife Service director and president of Defenders of Wildlife, described the announcement as a ‘marginal win’ that leaves certain 2019 changes in place, potentially leading to habitat destruction.

Critics like House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Bruce Westerman and property rights attorney Jonathan Wood argue that the changes may discourage private landowners from engaging in voluntary conservation efforts. They contend that blanket protections for threatened species could lead to indifference among landowners, as government restrictions would remain stringent regardless of conservation progress.

However, the Biden administration maintains that blanket protections will primarily apply to threatened plants, which are usually protected on federal lands but not on private property. Officials expect to continue creating species-specific rules for threatened animals.

The Endangered Species Act, enacted in 1973, has been instrumental in saving numerous species from extinction, including the bald eagle and California condor. Today, it safeguards over 1,600 species within the United States and its territories. The Biden administration’s recent actions reaffirm its commitment to this legacy of conservation, despite the ongoing debate over the balance between environmental protection and economic development.