Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Regulations for Designating Critical Habitat
What happened
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) amended its regulations under section 4(b)(2) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973. This revision clarifies how the FWS will determine if the benefits of excluding an area from critical habitat outweigh the benefits of designating it. This final rule is effective August 20, 2026, and was signed by Donald Trump.
Why it matters
This rule provides greater transparency and certainty for the public and stakeholders regarding the critical habitat exclusion process. It clarifies how economic, national security, and other impacts are weighed when deciding which areas are designated as critical habitat for protected species.
Who it affects
- ›U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- ›Public and stakeholders
- ›Businesses and landowners in critical habitat areas
The receipts are official. The summary is ours.
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