Conservation organizations across the United States are suing the Trump administration over changes they say could make it harder to protect endangered wildlife and the places those animals depend on to survive.
The lawsuit targets a new federal rule that no longer considers damage to wildlife habitat to be the same as doing “harm” to endangered and threatened wildlife.
The groups argue that protecting animals also means protecting the forests, rivers, wetlands, and other habitats they need to live.
Conservation groups say the change could make it easier for logging, mining, construction, and other development projects to move forward in areas that are home to threatened and endangered wildlife.
The lawsuit asks a federal court to overturn the rule and restore the protections that have been in place for decades.
Oregon groups involved
Two Oregon conservation organizations are among the groups that filed the lawsuit:
- Oregon Wild, a Portland-based conservation group that works to protect Oregon’s forests, rivers and wildlife.
- Columbia Riverkeeper, a Hood River-based nonprofit focused on protecting the Columbia River and the communities, fish and wildlife that depend on it.
Washington groups involved
Washington is also represented in the lawsuit by:
- Conservation Northwest, a Seattle-based conservation organization that works to protect wildlife and habitat across Washington and the Pacific Northwest.
Other groups involved across the U.S.
The lawsuit also includes several national and out-of-state conservation organizations:
- Center for Biological Diversity
- Conservation Law Foundation
- Friends of the Wild Swan
- Sierra Club
- The Wilderness Society
- Defenders of Wildlife
Written by Ginnie Sandoval, a news and travel writer for Pacific Northwest Crossing. Sandoval covers travel tips, news, destinations, places to eat, and hidden gems across the Pacific Northwest. She can be reached at pnwcrossing@ramsanmedia.com.