Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown has spearheaded a coalition of attorneys general from 18 states in opposition to proposed changes to federal laws protecting endangered species. The group sent a comprehensive 65-page letter to U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, urging the Biden administration to abandon four initiatives that were first enacted during President Donald Trump‘s administration in 2019 and later reversed in 2022.
The attorneys general assert that reinstating these measures would severely weaken protections provided under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), a landmark piece of legislation passed in 1973 that has played a crucial role in preventing the extinction of various species, including the bald eagle and the gray wolf. In a statement shared on social media, Brown emphasized the importance of science-based protections, stating, “These changes would put endangered wildlife and critical habitats at greater risk. My office is standing up for science-based protections and the laws that safeguard our environment for future generations.”
Concerns Over Proposed Changes
The coalition argues that the proposed changes collectively undermine key regulations established by the ESA. According to the letter, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) aims to modify interagency cooperation protocols and allow the government to consider economic impacts when designating critical habitats. These proposed adjustments, the attorneys general contend, could circumvent existing prohibitions on factoring financial considerations into habitat designations.
In a news release detailing the proposals, FWS Director Brian Nesvik described the initiatives as part of the administration’s efforts to enhance American energy independence while ensuring government actions align with legal standards. He stated, “By restoring clarity and predictability, we are giving the regulated community confidence while keeping our focus on recovery outcomes, not paperwork.”
The fourth proposed change seeks to eliminate the “blanket rule,” which currently provides equal protections to threatened and endangered species. Instead, the FWS plans to implement case-by-case evaluations that would require species-specific regulations. While federal officials argue that this approach would ensure necessary protections without imposing excessive restrictions, the attorneys general counter that it lacks the reasoned decision-making required for effective conservation.
Impact on Conservation Efforts
If adopted, the proposed changes could significantly affect the conservation landscape in the United States. In a news release, Brown expressed concerns that the Trump administration’s rules would “dramatically weaken federal ESA protections, enforcement, and processes, putting imperiled species and their habitats at an even greater risk of extinction.”
The coalition of attorneys general includes representatives from Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin.
As the debate continues, the FWS’ comprehensive list of threatened and endangered species remains unavailable for review. However, a previously accessed list includes over 300 species such as lions, leopards, humpback whales, and polar bears, highlighting the critical need for ongoing protections.
The outcome of this initiative could have lasting implications for the future of wildlife conservation efforts in the United States, as the coalition of states calls for a commitment to the principles that have historically safeguarded endangered species for generations to come.
