The United States Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's fisheries service have proposed three different regulations: restoring automatic protections for threatened species, removing barriers to designate critical habitat outside a species’ current range, and revoking a policy that allows economic factors to be taken into account when determining whether a species should be protected.
Of course, this is a positive step for protecting animals, but it is not nearly enough. There are decisions that the Biden administration made that will fail to curb the greed of polluting corporations.
Like the decision to keep the current definition of "adverse modification," which will open up a loophole for projects that slowly destroy habitats over time, and will leave the animals living in these habitats at the greedy corporations’ mercy.
What Can You Do?
The Biden administration's new rules are open for public comment for 60 days before finalization. Will you submit a comment on the proposals before August 21st calling for all of the Trump-era
ESA policies to be revoked? The survival of endangered plants and animals depends on it.
Below is an example comment you can use:
Dear FWS and NMFS,
I am writing to urge you to do more to protect plants and animals with your proposals for the Endangered Species Act. You have made some necessary steps, but it is not enough. For example, by not changing the definition of "adverse modification," a loophole will be opened up for projects that slowly destroy habitats over time, which will have grave consequences for the plants and animals in said habitats.
Moreover, by letting federal agencies off the hook for past harms to endangered species from things like dam
or highway construction by deeming these projects part of the "environmental baseline," not enough polluters will be held accountable. In order to truly protect the plants and animals you have been charged to protect, at the very least you should revoke all of the harmful ESA policies implemented by the Trump administration.
Sincerely,
Thank you for speaking out for animals.
In gratitude,
Elizabeth Novogratz, Founder and President, Species Unite
We’re proud to have a fast-growing community of humans who care deeply about the treatment of animals. Our members are living proof that the world is waking up and change for animals is coming.
We would love to invite you to take part in the growing movement for animals that provides both political pressure and consumer solutions. Join the Species Unite community today to help us build a more compassionate tomorrow for animals.
