WASHINGTON, May 11 -- The Akron Zoological Park, a leading wildlife conservation organization, has submitted comments to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), strongly opposing a proposal to rescind the long-standing definition of "harm" under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). In its letter, the Akron Zoo, located in Akron, Ohio, argues that the proposed rule would "eviscerate one of the ESA's essential protections" and represents a "damaging departure" from decades of established practic  more

WASHINGTON, May 11 -- The Idaho Conservation League (ICL) has submitted comments to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), strongly opposing a proposed rule to rescind the definition of "harm" under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). In its letter, the ICL, based in Boise, Idaho, argues that the proposed change would "significantly weaken a foundational protection" for threatened and endangered species and "undermine decades of conservation p  more

WASHINGTON, May 11 -- The Miller Park Zoo (MPZ) in Bloomington, Illinois, has formally submitted comments opposing the proposed rescission of the definition of "harm" under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). As an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), MPZ emphasizes the critical role of the ESA in safeguarding wildlife and their essential habitats. Jay Pratte, Director of the Miller Park Zoo, stated in the zoo's official comments, "As long-term and committed partners   more

WASHINGTON, May 11 -- The Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden has submitted comments to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), expressing strong opposition to a proposed rule that would rescind the long-standing definition of "harm" under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). In a letter, the Oklahoma City institution, accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), argues that the proposal would "eviscerate one of the ESA's essential protections" and deviate from both establishe  more

WASHINGTON, May 11 -- A non-profit legal firm based in Oregon has called on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to rescind the current definition of "harm" under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), arguing that its misinterpretation has negatively impacted private property owners and rural communities. In a letter submitted to the Department of the Interior, the OPOA Legal Center, located in Oregon, voiced its strong support for the proposed ro  more

WASHINGTON, May 11 -- The Santa Clara Valley Habitat Agency has submitted comments strongly opposing the proposed rescission of the regulatory definition of "harm" under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The Agency argues that the proposed change is "not grounded in ecological principles or wildlife ecology" and threatens the survival of numerous species. The core of the issue, the Agency states in its letter, lies in the interpretation of "take," which the ESA prohibits. The current definition  more

WASHINGTON, May 11 -- The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR), with its Department of Natural Resources (DNR) in Pendleton, Oregon, has submitted initial comments and recommendations regarding potential revisions to the definition of "Waters of the United States" (WOTUS). The CTUIR DNR emphasizes the critical importance of clean water to the tribe and its members, citing the Treaty of 1855, which secured the tribe's rights to vital resources. In its letter to the Envi  more

WASHINGTON, May 11 -- A resident and advocate from the U.S. Virgin Islands has strongly opposed a proposed federal rule that would revise the definition of "harm" under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). In a comment submitted to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service, David Silverman, President of Save Coral Bay Inc. in St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands, argued that the proposed changes would jeopardize critical habitats and the territory's tourism-driven economy.   more

WASHINGTON, May 11 -- The Rewilding Institute (TRI), an Albuquerque, New Mexico-based conservation organization, has voiced strong opposition to a proposal by federal wildlife agencies to rescind the regulatory definition of "harm" under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). In comments submitted to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), TRI argues that removing habitat modification from the definition of "take" would undermine the very purpose of   more

WASHINGTON, May 11 -- The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), a Silver Spring, Maryland-based organization representing wildlife conservation leaders, has strongly objected to a proposed federal rule that would rescind the definition of "harm" under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). In comments submitted to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the AZA argues that this change would severely undermine the ESA's effectiveness in protecting wildlife and their habitats. Dan Ashe, President and C  more