"A federal judge on Monday partially ruled that the first Trump administration erred when it weakened aspects of the Endangered Species Act.
The ruling (attached below) was heralded by environmental groups, saying it underscored that “federal agencies must use the best available science when assessing harm to species, they cannot ignore incremental harm to critical habitat, and the agencies must firmly commit to any measures relied upon to reduce harm to imperiled plants and animals.” (Emphasis added—ed.)
Judge Jon S. Tigar held that a handful of regulatory provisions affecting the ESA implemented during President Donald Trump’s first term “were unlawful because they contradict the text of the ESA or were arbitrary and capricious.” But he also ruled that rulemaking by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service did not violate the National Environmental Policy Act.
The lawsuit was brought by the Center for Biological Diversity, Sierra Club, and WildEarth Guardians, which were represented by Earthjustice. The groups had challenged the regulations issued seven years ago by the first Trump administration, as well as what they believed were inadequate rules issued under President Joe Biden."
Kurt Repanshek reports for National Parks Traveler March 30, 2026.
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