Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown has spearheaded a coalition of attorneys general from 18 states opposing proposed changes to federal protections for endangered species. The group expressed their concerns in a letter addressed to U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, urging the current administration to abandon four initiatives initially enacted during Donald Trump’s presidency in 2019 and later reversed in 2022.
The 65-page letter emphasizes that reinstating these measures could significantly weaken protections enshrined in the Endangered Species Act of 1973. Brown stated on social media, “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 proposed changes have raised alarm among environmental advocates. The letter asserts that the initiatives would undermine key regulations established by the Endangered Species Act, a law credited with preventing the extinction of various species, including bald eagles, grizzly bears, and gray wolves.
In a recent announcement, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) indicated that these changes are part of a broader effort to enhance American energy independence while aligning government actions with legal interpretations. FWS Director Brian Nesvik remarked that the changes would reaffirm the department’s “commitment to science-based conservation” and provide clarity for regulated communities.
However, the attorneys general argue that the proposed adjustments would not consider the ecological implications adequately. Specifically, one of the proposals would alter interagency cooperation, while two others would allow economic impacts to be considered when designating critical habitats. The Interior Department has stated that it seeks to restore “flexibility” in determining the prudency of designating critical habitats.
Impact on Conservation Efforts
The letter contends that these proposed changes reflect a disregard for rigorous decision-making processes and fail to adequately consider the long-term consequences for conservation efforts. The FWS has indicated that these changes are intended to tailor protections to specific species rather than applying a blanket rule that grants the same protections to both threatened and endangered species.
In a release on Tuesday, Brown expressed that the Trump administration’s proposals, if adopted, would significantly diminish federal enforcement and protections under the Endangered Species Act, increasing the risk of extinction for many imperiled species and their habitats.
As of now, the FWS’s list of threatened and endangered species remains unavailable for review. However, a previous list dated November 8 accessed through the Internet Archive includes over 300 species classified as “threatened,” comprising mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, and insects. This list notably features species such as lions, leopards, humpback whales, polar bears, and rainbow trout.
The coalition of attorneys general represents a diverse range of states, including Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin. The collective effort underscores a significant push for maintaining robust protections for wildlife at a time when environmental policies are under scrutiny.
As discussions continue, the coalition remains vocal about the need for comprehensive and scientifically informed policies to protect endangered species and their critical habitats for generations to come.
