In a significant move to protect imperiled plants and animals, the Biden administration has restored rules that were dismantled under the previous Trump administration. The reinstatement includes a decades-old regulation mandating blanket protections for newly classified threatened species, eliminating the need for individual protection plans while awaiting approval.

Previously, species such as North American wolverines in the Rocky Mountains, alligator snapping turtles in the southeastern United States, and spotted owls in California had to undergo time-consuming protection processes. However, under the newly restored rules, these species and others will receive immediate blanket protections.

Although the restoration of more robust regulations has pleased wildlife advocates, some expressed partial satisfaction, as certain potentially harmful changes made by the Trump administration were left untouched. This indicates that there is still work to be done to ensure comprehensive protection for endangered species.

One of the significant rule changes announced by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service is the exclusion of economic impacts when determining the necessity of species protection. Furthermore, the new rules make it easier to designate critical areas for a species' survival, even if they are no longer present in those locations.

The Southeastern United States, in particular, stands to benefit from these rule changes, where imperiled fish and freshwater mussels have seen a significant decline in their historical ranges. The reinstated rules emphasize the agencies' commitment to using the best available science to combat population declines caused by climate change, habitat loss, invasive species, and wildlife diseases.

However, environmentalists expressed frustration over the delayed action by the Biden administration, as it took several years to address the rollbacks made during the Trump era. Concerns loom over the potential for future Republican administrations to once again ease protections for endangered species after the 2024 election.

Jamie Rappaport Clark, president at Defenders of Wildlife, acknowledged the importance of the restored protections but labeled them as a "marginal win" due to some of the Trump-era changes remaining intact. These provisions could potentially jeopardize critical habitats, which are essential for the survival of some species.

The restoration of these protections has faced substantial opposition from Republican lawmakers, who argue that the Biden administration is prioritizing conservation over the development of industries such as oil, gas, and coal. These industries have long considered the Endangered Species Act an obstacle, and under the Trump administration, successfully lobbied for regulatory weakening.

It is worth noting that the Trump administration also rolled back endangered species protections for the northern spotted owl, gray wolves, and other species. In 2021, the decision on spotted owl protections was reversed due to faulty science used by the previous administration. Similarly, federal courts restored protections for wolves across most of the United States in the same year.

The Endangered Species Act, established in 1973, has played a crucial role in conserving species at risk of extinction. It has successfully saved animals such as the bald eagle and California condor, among over 1,600 other species currently protected in the United States and its territories.

While the reinstatement of key protections represents progress in safeguarding endangered species, continued efforts and comprehensive reforms are necessary to address the ongoing challenges posed by habitat loss, climate change, and other threats.