Maryland Attorney General Brown Co-Leads 21-State Coalition Challenging New Endangered Species Act Rollbacks
Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown is co-leading a coalition of 21 states in filing two major lawsuits to challenge recent federal rule changes that weaken the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The coalition argues these rollbacks by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service put essential wildlife habitats at risk and violate the conservation goals mandated by Congress.
Key points from the legal challenge:
* Challenging the Definition of "Harm": One lawsuit contests the removal of a long-standing regulation that defined "harm" to include "significant habitat modification or degradation." Critics argue this change makes it easier for development and private industry to destroy the areas where protected species breed, feed, and shelter.
* Reduced Protections for Threatened Species: A second lawsuit challenges rule changes that eliminate automatic protections for newly listed threatened species. This shift creates new hurdles for designating "critical habitat," potentially leaving ecosystems without the necessary safeguards required for recovery.
* Impact on Local Wildlife: Maryland, which hosts at least 21 federally listed animal species (such as the dwarf wedgemussel and bog turtle) and seven plants, emphasizes that strong federal oversight is vital for regional conservation efforts.
* Coalition Strength: AG Brown is co-leading the legal action alongside the Attorneys General of California and Washington, with support from a broad coalition including New York, New Jersey, Virginia, and Illinois.
The coalition asserts that these regulatory rollbacks are contrary to the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). You can find more information about the Maryland Attorney General’s office and their ongoing advocacy work on their website.