The Administration is proposing that the word “harm” in the Endangered Species Act now exclude habitat modification or loss. In other words, habitat modification that significantly impairs a listed species' essential behavioral patterns (breeding, feeding, sheltering) can be considered a “take” under the ESA, which is prohibited.
To clarify, this action allows one to move an endangered or threatened species from its habitat or home whether wildlife is in a tree, a nest on the ground or hiding in a coral reef. Therefore, if the word “harm” is excluded in the ESA it allows the Administration to expediently move forward with their plans to log national forests, open marine protected areas to fishing, build roads across public lands, etc. You can submit a comment here expressing your concern before May 19th. Quick read guidance is available here to help you craft your response. The Rescinding the Definition of “Harm” Under the Endangered Species Federal Register Notice is available here.
Pick a Call to Action that motivates you on our NEW Advocacy Web Page here!
Don't forget to sign this petition to stop the rocket landing cargo site proposed at Kalama (Johnston Atoll) by Space X through the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. For more information visit the Pacific Islands Heritage Coalition website here!
Courtesy Change.org