All articles tagged with #endangered species act
The Interior Department finalized the repeal of the Endangered Species Act 'harm rule' that treated habitat destruction as harm to endangered species, arguing it aligns with the Act's intent and reduces regulatory burdens; the change could enable more mining, ranching and other development in protected areas, while opponents like Earthjustice vow to sue.
The Trump administration finalized a rollback redefining 'harm' under the Endangered Species Act, deleting the prohibition on habitat destruction unless intentional. The rule would regulate only direct physical harm, letting developers modify or destroy habitat for endangered or threatened species without federal permits, a shift critics say weakens protections and invites lawsuits; the Fish and Wildlife Service says it reduces regulatory burden.
A 38-year-old Washington state tourist, Igor Lytvynchuk, is set to appear in federal court in Honolulu on charges of harassing a protected Hawaiian monk seal after prosecutors say he threw a coconut-sized rock at an adult male seal in Maui. Video of the incident sparked widespread condemnation, with the defense claiming the man intended to shoo away turtles and later faced assault, threats, and doxxing. If convicted, he could face up to one year in prison per charge and fines under the Endangered Species Act and the Marine Mammal Protection Act. The case highlights protections for monk seals, a critically endangered species with about 1,600 remaining in the wild.
A 38-year-old tourist, Igor Lytvynchuk, was arrested in Washington on a criminal complaint for harassing and attempting to harass an endangered Hawaiian monk seal by throwing a large rock at the seal in Hawaii on May 5. Witnesses say he bragged he was rich and could pay any fines. If convicted, he could face up to one year in prison per charge and fines up to $50,000 under the Endangered Species Act and $20,000 under the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
A Covington, WA man, Igor Lytvynchuk, was charged by criminal complaint on May 12, 2026, for allegedly harassing an endangered Hawaiian monk seal by throwing a large rock at her head in Maui; he was arrested near Seattle and faces up to one year in prison and fines up to $50,000 (ESA) and $20,000 (MMPA) per charge if convicted. The incident occurred May 5, 2026 in Lahaina; initial appearance is set for May 14, 2026 in the Western District of Washington. NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement is investigating, with AUSA Michael Nammar prosecuting.
A 38-year-old tourist was arrested by federal agents after a witness video captured him throwing a rock the size of a coconut at Lani, a protected Hawaiian monk seal off Maui. He’s charged with harassing a protected animal and could face up to a year in prison per count, plus fines under the Endangered Species Act and the Marine Mammal Protection Act. With about 1,600 monk seals remaining, the case underscores ongoing wildlife-cruelty concerns and enforcement in Hawaii.
Republicans pushed to codify Trump-era weakenings of the Endangered Species Act, but a House vote on the ESA Amendments Act was abruptly canceled amid concerns in tourism‑dependent districts; critics say the bill would undermine habitat protections and hinder species recovery, while pointing to a Gulf of Mexico drilling exemption as evidence of politics over science and warning it could imperil ecotourism economies like Florida’s even if a future administration reverses some actions.
A U.S. Endangered Species Committee known as the 'God Squad' voted to exempt Gulf of Mexico oil and gas drilling from Endangered Species Act protections, a move environmentalists say threatens Rice's whale and other species with extinction, justified by national-security concerns amid Iran-related disruptions.
The Trump administration issued an Endangered Species Act exemption for Gulf of Mexico oil and gas projects, invoking the God Squad to bypass protections for endangered species and clear the way for offshore drilling.
The Trump administration is requesting an Endangered Species Act exemption to advance offshore oil drilling in the Gulf of Mexico, arguing it serves energy and economic goals, while environmentalists warn of risks to endangered species and habitats and potential legal challenges.
The US Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed listing giraffes under the Endangered Species Act for the first time, covering five subspecies. This move aims to combat poaching and habitat loss, which have significantly reduced giraffe populations. The listing will require permits for importing giraffe parts into the US and is expected to enhance conservation efforts. Environmental groups welcome the proposal, though they criticize the delay in action. The decision is open for public comment until February 2024, with a final rule expected thereafter.
U.S. officials have proposed that giraffes be listed under the Endangered Species Act to provide them with greater protection due to declining populations and threats from habitat loss and poaching. This move by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service aims to enhance conservation efforts and ensure the survival of giraffes in the wild.
The Biden administration has finalized rules to restore protections for imperiled animals and plants that were weakened under the Trump administration, giving federal officials more leeway to protect species in a changing climate and bringing back protections for threatened species. The move has been praised as crucial for conserving and recovering imperiled species, but has faced criticism from Republicans, industry groups, and states wanting more control over wildlife management, with expectations of lawsuits to follow.
Sam Bankman-Fried, the disgraced cryptocurrency king, has been sentenced to 25 years in federal prison for defrauding customers and investors, a bridge recovery mission is underway after a cargo ship destroyed Baltimore’s Key Bridge, the Biden administration strengthened protections of the Endangered Species Act, Pope Francis broke tradition by washing women's feet during a prison visit, and the Sweet 16 teams are set for the men’s and women’s March Madness tournaments.
The Biden administration has reinstated rules to protect endangered plants and animals that were previously rolled back under the Trump administration. The changes include reinstating blanket protections for newly classified threatened species and not considering economic impacts when deciding if animals and plants need protection. While Republicans argue that the Endangered Species Act is outdated and hampers economic development, environmentalists see the restoration of these protections as a marginal win, although some changes made under Trump remain in place.