California Attorney General Rob Bonta, alongside 18 other state attorneys general, has submitted a comment letter opposing four proposed rules from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service. The proposals would revise regulations under the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973. According to the coalition, these rollbacks would significantly reduce protections for many species and their habitats in California and nationwide.
“Time and again, the Trump Administration has willfully jeopardized our environment by taking actions that will lead to the destruction of imperiled species and their habitats — all for the sake of boosting the profits of fossil fuel, mining, logging, and other corporations. This time is no different, as they attempt to gut the Endangered Species Act, one of our nation’s most effective legal tools,” said Attorney General Bonta. “We have and will continue to defend this critical federal law and protect our rare animals, plants, and the environment.”
The ESA was enacted in 1973 to prevent extinction among threatened species. It has played a key role in protecting thousands of species over five decades. Some notable recoveries under its provisions include the bald eagle, grizzly bear, humpback whale, California condor, brown pelican, and gray wolf.
The coalition’s letter argues that the proposed changes would decrease the likelihood that new species are listed as endangered or threatened; reduce designations of critical habitat; limit required consultations between federal agencies; and repeal protections for threatened species from harm due to human activity.
Attorney General Bonta also recently opposed offshore drilling operations off California’s coast and criticized attempts to rescind environmental protections such as the Roadless rule. He previously co-led opposition against weakening ESA prohibitions on harming protected wildlife.
Bonta was joined in this action by attorneys general from Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia.
As chief law enforcement authority for California [source], Attorney General Bonta leads an office responsible for enforcing laws across the state [source]. The office supports public safety initiatives including environmental justice efforts [source].