White House Approves Divisive Endangered Species Act Amendment
The White House has given the green light to a contentious amendment to the Endangered Species Act. The decision, supported by an unidentified office within the White House, paves the way for the Fish and Wildlife Service to publish the proposal. The approval process took three months, during which the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) thoroughly studied the species proposal. OIRA held meetings with key stakeholders, including the American Petroleum Institute and a conservative think tank. The ongoing government shutdown further delayed the species proposal's publication, with its exact timing remaining uncertain. The Fish and Wildlife Service received the approval on Tuesday evening, allowing it to proceed with publishing the proposal in the Federal Register. The approved rule change, once published, will initiate a public comment period before it becomes final. Environmental groups and industry stakeholders are expected to weigh in on the proposed changes to the Endangered Species Act.
