Illinois Attorney General issued the following announcement on Sept. 4.
Attorney General Kwame Raoul joined a coalition of 17 attorneys general in sending a comment letter challenging the federal government’s attempt to narrowly and unlawfully define the term “habitat” under the federal Endangered Species Act. The proposed federal rule change could restrict restoration efforts and limit government’s authority to protect plants and wildlife amid climate change.
“This rule goes against the purpose of the Endangered Species Act and would hinder progress towards restoring and protecting wildlife,” Raoul said. “I urge the federal government to withdraw this proposal that could cause environmental harm for years to come.”
The proposal from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service would add a new, restrictive definition of “habitat.” This definition would limit government agencies from designating and protecting habitat that is critical for species survival and recovery. In the letter, Raoul and the coalition urge withdrawal of the proposed rule because the proposed rule:
-Is contrary to the Endangered Species Act’s primary purposes of promoting species survival and recovery.
-Is contrary to the statutory definition of “critical habitat” because it would restrict currently unoccupied habitat from being designated as such under the Act, including restored habitat or other areas that species may move into as they adapt to climate change or other human-caused activity.
-Is arbitrary and capricious because the federal government has failed to provide any reasonable rationale for the change.
-Is a substantive change that requires environmental review under the National Environmental Policy Act.
The federal Endangered Species Act, enacted in 1973, was intended to reverse the trendline of species extinction and has proven to be one of the nation’s strongest tools for modifying human activities in order to reduce or avoid environmental damage.
Original source can be found here.