The NW Washington species impacted by Endangered Species Act rollback

Under the new federal definition, “harm” would be limited to directly killing or injuring an animal — a change that tribes and conservation experts say paves the way for resource extraction, habitat loss and species extinction. The administration, meanwhile, claims the change “restores common sense” and respects private property.

John McLaughlin, an environmental science professor at Western Washington University, said the change is much more than a subtle change in wording.

“It’s essentially a backhanded way of gutting the Endangered Species Act,” he said. “You’re essentially consigning them to extinction.” 

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Gregory Green, a wildlife ecologist at Western, said the ESA changes will impact species that largely occur on private lands. He raised particular concern about how the federal ruling would affect habitat for marbled murrelet and northern spotted owl.

There are rigorous monitoring programs for both species under the Northwest Forest Plan, a Clinton-era agreement governing land use in the Pacific Northwest. Green said while there is no indication changes to the ESA will impact the plan, the plan does not apply to privately owned land, including timberland where nesting habitat could be lost to logging.