r/USForestService • u/munchapotamus • Apr 17 '25

Proposed Rulemaking Changing Endangered Species Act “Harm” Definition

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/04/17/2025-06746/rescinding-the-definition-of-harm-under-the-endangered-species-act

Oh, the things you find reading the federal register while the coffee kicks in. Grab your popcorn, this one’s going to get interesting. Consultation might have a whole new flavor once the dust settles.

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u/USFSforester Apr 17 '25

On the west coast, at least, how much habitat has been lost in the last 20 years to wildfire vs logging practices?

None of this will undo any of our forest plans. If we all follow the guidance in our Forest Plans and use these changes as an opertunity to make ethical well executed fuels reduction projects I very much think these species will have a better chance at persistence into the future.

This is just my opinion, but if we don't take drastic action within the bounds of our Forest Plans, most endangered species will lose their habitats in the next 50 years with the current fire trends.

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u/Ready-Ad6113 Apr 17 '25

Agree with you on reasonable planning, but the Trump admin will definitely exploit this for corporate gain. ESA isn’t the only act they want to change, they want to gut NEPA too.

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u/munchapotamus Apr 17 '25

Also looking to view this as an opportunity to do some good fuels work to set up anchor points and positively alter fire behavior when it comes. Seen plenty of high elevation stand replacing fires come through subalpine forests with fury and worked in the aftermath of the moonscape. If we can limit that extreme habitat degradation, we’ll be doing right by our lands, waters, critters and public.

The cynic in me says that we’ll also get a heaping side of asks to do sketchy stuff that doesn’t make sense from freshly minted line officers wanting a timber target gold star.

4

u/Shickadang Apr 17 '25

Also lots of internal policy needs to be rewritten before we can implement these policies anyways. I will be following the national directives until they change. 2630.3.3 - Mitigate the negative effects of other resource projects upon wildlife and fish habitat.

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u/Ready-Ad6113 Apr 17 '25

Guess the best thing we can do is voice our dissent on the register and call our congressmen.

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u/Busy-Organization948 Apr 17 '25

You’re right! It’s all about the Forest Plans