05/14/2025
Important Announcement And Request For Public Assistance
The US Fish and Wildlife Service has announced a plan to fundamentally alter the Endangered Species Act (ESA) to be interpreted differently than it has since its creation.
Currently, the ESA disallows harm of an endangered species (without mitigation to make up for the loss.) It defines “harm” as “take,” which currently means an act which actually kills or injures the wildlife. It is currently interpreted to include significant habitat modification or degradation where it actually kills or injures wildlife by significantly impairing essential behavioral patterns, including breeding, feeding or sheltering.
Specifically, they would like to delete the definition of “harm” in the act. Removing this definition of “harm” means that they would NO LONGER CONDUCT ANY IMPACT STUDIES, as is currently required by The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). NEPA now REQUIRES federal agencies to assess the environmental effects of any proposed action prior to making decisions.
Removing the definition of “harm” which includes “habitat modification” from the ESA would NULLIFY THE ACT and everything it has done to save Bald Eagles and every other species it has protected, since it was signed into law in 1973. The cascading effects of this change would absolutely impact Jackie and Shadow, the rare plants in our valley, and all of the precious and beautiful nature that surrounds us in our country.
The public is allowed to submit comments to the agency. Comments are due by May 19th at 11:59 pm. We are asking each of you who is willing, to please submit comments using the link below. Many of us will be adding our voices against this detrimental and shortsighted decision. Keeping the ESA intact is of utmost importance, not only for Jackie and Shadow, but for all wildlife. This proposed change could prove to be one of the most harmful things we have done to nature in the last fifty years.
As we ask you to please comment, we want to caution that it is important to keep your comments polite, respectful, factual, and concise for them to have an impact. Please keep in mind that comments will be public. You can provide a statement anonymously but they do not guarantee that it stays that way. If nothing else, we urge you to read the public comments that have been submitted so far to understand what the change may do. And if you will, please pass this information along so that others can take action.
To make your voice best heard by the agencies and to maximize the impact of your comments, we recommend
1. State clearly that you are writing in opposition to the proposal.
2. Point out that the proposal essentially nullifies the ESA passed by the U.S. Congress in 1973. The proposal is counter to the purpose of the ESA to protect imperiled species and the ecosystems upon which they depend.
3. State the fact that we cannot protect the species without protecting their habitats. Without the habitats, wildlife would go extinct.
4. If possible, add any other facts or observations that you personally see or have experienced regarding the impact the proposed changes would have on endangered species.
You can read all about the proposed change and comment here:
https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/04/17/2025-06746/rescinding-the-definition-of-harm-under-the-endangered-species-act -comment
Previously submitted comments are available here:
https://www.regulations.gov/document/FWS-HQ-ES-2025-0034-0001/comment
P.S. Thank you very much for your assistance and participation. We hope that many of us leave our comments on the government website and make our voices heard.
At the same time, we ask you to please refrain from political comments and arguments under this post. Let's keep our focus on the wildlife and our role in ensuring their future on this planet.
