Endangered Species Act Rollbacks: Coasts & Wildlife At Risk

Recent rollbacks of the Endangered Species Act threaten the survival of at-risk species, and could result in the expansion of poorly sited developments and loss of important coastal habitats.

We share our lands and waters with wildlife of all shapes and sizes, from manatees to monarch butterflies, and sea turtles to beluga whales. Yet our actions have very real and significant impacts on the survival of these species. One of our nation’s core policies for balancing economic development with critical wildlife protections is the Endangered Species Act.

Land use change and pollution from rampant development can damage or destroy important habitat, including the feeding grounds, nurseries, water sources, and at times, entire ecosystems that various wildlife depend upon. In addition to habitat loss, habitat fragmentation can be a nail in the coffin for wildlife that need safe passages to migrate seasonally in order to access feeding grounds, wintering locations, and breeding areas. Direct harm is also a culprit, as many animals have been directly “over harvested” to the point that they risk extinction, or their primary feeding source has been over harvested, causing the higher trophic level species to risk starving into extinction.

But this doesn’t have to be the case. Thoughtful planning that carefully assesses, sites and designs projects in ways that minimize harmful impacts to local wildlife, and minimize impacts to other uses like recreation, can balance development needs and pressure with habitat protection and wildlife conservation. Additionally, laws and regulations that physically protect at-risk wildlife and the habitat they rely on are critical for preventing extinction and ensuring the protection of biodiversity and healthy environments. The Endangered Species Act was designed to accomplish this very task.

Up until recently, the Endangered Species Act protected native wildlife by prohibiting the killing or harm of endangered species, requiring protections for areas that were critical for recovery (officially designated as “critical habitat areas”), and mandating the development of recovery plans for listed species, among others. The term “harm” applied both to the listed animal or plant, as well as to the immediate habitat that it relies upon for survival. On July 14, 2026, the Trump administration issued a final rule that rescinded the term “harm” from the Endangered Species Act, meaning the law will only prohibit citizens from directly killing, injuring, or capturing a listed species. Protections for endangered species’ habitat (unless otherwise designated as “Critical Habitat”) are no longer provided.

Less than a week later, the Trump administration went even further and issued another final rule, this time weakening protections for wildlife recently listed as threatened and making it more difficult to issue “critical habitat” designations. This action further limits the protection of critical habitat that at risk wildlife depend on for survival.

Not only do these recent rule changes greatly increase the likelihood of extinction for at-risk wildlife, the loss of habitat protections paves the way for developments and extraction projects to be sited in areas that were previously protected. This can mean more pollution of upstream waterways which will ultimately impair water at the beach, destruction of coastal dunes and beaches that sea turtles and nesting shore birds rely on, and potentially more development getting constructed in coastal areas at high risk of erosion and coastal hazards. Protecting a sandy beach for sea turtles protected the beach for everyone. Protecting dunes for nesting shorebirds also protected a natural barrier for nearby homes and communities from increasing coastal hazards.

This trend in prioritizing development and extraction over conservation and clean environments threatens beloved wildlife as well as public health and outdoor recreation areas highly valued by communities.

So what can we do?

Surfrider is grateful to see organizations taking legal action to try and restore habitat protections under the Endangered Species Act. We also encourage Congress to use their authority to push back against these harmful administrative rule changes, including by introducing and passing bills like HR 8919. Your voice can also help! Call your Member of Congress today and tell them that you oppose these harmful rollbacks to the Endangered Species Act and encourage them to use their Congressional authority to push back and restore essential habitat and wildlife protections before it's too late.

Surfrider will continue to track, monitor and speak out against proposed rule changes that threaten coastal communities, wildlife, and recreation areas, especially those that could expedite harmful extractive practices like offshore oil and gas drilling and seabed mining.