Proposed ESA Redefinition May Narrow Scope of Environmental Protections for Infrastructure Projects

Sustainability Soundbites from E+E Leader · May 6, 2025 · 5m

Federal wildlife regulators have proposed a major rollback under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) that could have significant implications for infrastructure development, environmental permitting, and habitat conservation. On April 17, 2025, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service (collectively, the Services) released a proposed rule that would rescind the longstanding regulatory definition of “harm” under the ESA, which for decades has included habitat modification that injures or kills a listed species. Read More: Support the showThanks for listening!For…