Trump proposes to narrow Endangered Species Act protections

The Trump administration is proposing to axe protections for some animals and plants under the Endangered Species Act.

The administration argues that the current rules are too stringent and stifle economic development, while their supporters say they are necessary to protect wildlife from harm.

The administration is proposing to cut protections for species that are newly designated as “threatened,” which is a step below endangered.

Under existing rules, threatened species are subject to protections, but newly designated ones would not get these protections.

The changes also appear to make it more difficult both to designate species as endangered and to conserve habitat for such species.

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum described the changes as striking the right balance between protecti