Another outdoor decision by Washington

[LongLine]

This will be interesting in the courts. 

 

Administration is proposing to restrict/redefine the word "Harm" in the Endangered Species Act. Historically "Harm" meant you couldn't directly harm the specie (hunt, kill, wound, harass, etc.) or do anything to its habitat that could adversely affect it.  Their proposal is only to have it mean you can't directly harm the specie itself.  

 

Currently if a particular bird nests in a particular specie tree, then they can't harm the bird AND they can't cut down the same specie tree in the surrounding area.  Under the proposal they could cut all those other trees down.  

 

https://news.bloomberglaw.com/environment-and-energy/trump-administration-moves-to-cut-endangered-species-protections

 

https://www.nationalparkstraveler.org/2025/04/trump-administration-proposing-do-away-harm-definition-endangered-species

 

I'm curious how they would apply this to fish. (2nd article mentions salmon) One less hurdle for any project that could affect the water?  (quality, quantity, structure?) What about food chain, thermal regime, pH, turbidity, aquatic plants?

 

Should be interesting in the courts.

[Gill-T]

This is a good listen on national forests and the current climate created by Washington.  
 

 

[Gill-T]

https://www.science.org/content/article/trump-swings-budget-ax-usgs-biology-research

[Gill-T]

The alewife survey was completed for this year but looks like the data will not get compiled in time before job cuts. Bait levels are reported as good from the trawler survey. 

Edited April 21 by Gill-T

[LongLine]

THIS SUCKS!

[Gill-T]

When you “drain the swamp”, usually you are left with stinky muck. 

[LongLine]

Spell checker turned off?...(muck). 

[Gill-T]

https://wyofile.com/leaked-federal-roadmap-for-public-land-called-industry-wish-list/
 

 

[Gill-T]

Ya baby!!! Give me more pollution!!! ……

 

https://www.cbsnews.com/amp/news/senate-votes-to-overturn-epa-rule-limits-7-hazardous-air-pollutants-clean-air-act/

[Gill-T]

https://www.fieldandstream.com/stories/conservation/public-lands-and-waters/budget-cuts-conservation-and-public-land-funding