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Trump officials say destroying endangered species’ habitats isn’t ‘harm’
In what could be one of the most significant actions the Trump administration has taken on the environment, officials have proposed redefining what it means to “harm” a plant or animal under the Endangered Species Act, excluding habitat destruction from activities deemed a threat to protected species.
Officials said the move would reduce an unnecessary regulatory burden. Conservationists warn it would open the door to more logging, mining, home construction and other ecologically damaging ventures in places where endangered creatures live.