On July 15, 2026, the U.S. Departments of the Interior and Commerce announced that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) published a final rule rescinding the agencies’ longstanding regulatory definitions of “harm” under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The rule finalizes their April 2025 proposal and is scheduled to take effect on September 14, 2026. Once effective, the rule will remove protections for vital habitat where species live, feed and raise their young. We applaud Earthjustice for challenging this rule, as it lacks scientific support, legal support and public support for undermining protections for our endangered species.
St. Johns Riverkeeper submitted the following public comment in May 2025 vehemently opposing this change. We will continue to fight for our river, our watershed, and the species that call it home.