Federal agencies remove regulatory definition of 'harm' from Endangered Species Act
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Table of Contents
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service are removing a specific regulatory definition for the word “harm.” This term is used under the Endangered Species Act to describe certain types of negative impacts on protected species.
Why it matters: This is a technical administrative change. While it changes how agencies interpret the term in their rulebooks, its practical impact depends on how courts and agencies apply the broader legal definition of the word moving forward.
Who it affects
- Federal agencies responsible for managing wildlife and marine resources
This action was published by the Department of the Interior and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; readers should consult the Federal Register for the full text before relying on this change.
Agency: Interior Department, Fish and Wildlife Service, Commerce Department, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Source: Federal Register — read the official document