Natural History Wanderings

Two major changes to Endangered Species Act regulations have completed White House review last week that would reduce protections for threatened plants and animals and likely reduce the range of critical habitat designations.

One proposal would require federal agencies to consider “the economic impact, the impact on national security, and any other relevant impact” before designating critical habitat for listed species.

One change approved Friday by the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs would remove the “blanket 4(d) rule,” which awards species dubbed “threatened” the same protections as those that are “endangered.” Threatened species are considered under the law as being in less danger of imminent extinction.