Conservation experts say the Endangered Species Act was key in saving many species from extinction, including the whooping crane, bald eagle and gray wolf. File Photo by Michael Kleinfeld/UPI | License Photo
July 10 (UPI) -- The Trump administration on Friday rescinded a key provision of the Endangered Species Act that protected habitat crucial to imperiled wildlife.
For 50 years, the ESA definition of "harm" included not only specific species, but also their habitat from modification or degradation.
But on Friday, the administration said it was reversing the rule to focus on "actions that directly injure or kill listed wildlife."
"For years, federal agencies abused the ESA to obstruct lawful land use and burden American families and businesses," Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said in a statement.
