Action Alert: The ESA is Under Threat
In honor of Earth Day and all inhabitants on the planet, the Coastal Corridor Alliance is asking you to take five minutes to comment on a proposed change in the interpretation of the federal Endangered Species Act.
This landmark environmental law was passed over 50 years ago and has resulted in the protection of many listed species and their habitat. Many of these species are in the Coastal Corridor like the California gnatcatcher, Least Bell’s vireo, the San Diego Fairy Shrimp, and the western snowy plover.
Now, the Trump Administration is proposing reinterpreting the Endangered Species Act such that the destruction of a species’ habitat would no longer be considered harmful to the species. Rather, only actions that directly kill or intentionally hurt individual animals would be considered harmful to the species.
It is easy to see that this would devastate the protective aspects of the federal Endangered Species Act. Under this new proposed definition, the habitat species depend on to survive could be cleared, graded, mined, logged, bulldozed, flooded, or drained.
With all the crazy things happening in the news every day, this proposed reinterpretation of the Endangered Species Act has been crowded off the front page of most media sources, and the general public, and even the environmental community, is largely unaware. But the environmental community must rise to the occasion (as we always do), by taking action now and spreading the word to all your friends, family, and contacts in your groups and community. Please share this email far and wide. Take to social media and share our post as well!
There is a 30-day window (deadline is May 19) where the public can comment on this proposed reinterpretation of the Endangered Species Act. We need to have 10 million Americans comment that this proposed reinterpretation is a horrible idea.
Fortunately, it is very easy to comment. You can do it in less than 5 minutes. See the process and sample talking points below!
Sincerely,
Terry M. Welsh, MD
President
READ THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS
Per the Federal Register 2025-06746 (90 FR 16102):
“The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) (collectively referred to as the Services or we) are proposing to rescind the regulatory definition of “harm” in our Endangered Species Act (ESA or the Act) regulations. The existing regulatory definition of “harm,” which includes habitat modification, runs contrary to the best meaning of the statutory term “take.” We are undertaking this change to adhere to the single, best meaning of the ESA.”
SEND IN YOUR COMMENTS
Get your comments in by Monday, May 19, 2025:
Please use the template below:
Dear [Agency Official / U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service],
I strongly oppose the proposed reinterpretation of “harm” in the Endangered Species Act (ESA). This change would be devastating to species.
It’s obvious that wildlife can’t survive without their natural homes. Removing habitat protections and altering the definition of harm would gut the ESA and put countless species at greater risk.
Please reject this dangerous proposal and keep the ESA strong. Protecting habitat is protecting wildlife.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[City, State]
