Trump Admin Weakens <br />US Endangered Species Act The rules make it easier <br />to remove an animal from <br />the endangered species list. It will also weaken protection for the <br />animals considered "threatened species," <br />a categorization that means a species <br />is at risk to be endangered. For the first time, <br />economic assessments will be <br />allowed when determining the <br />animals included on the list. It's likely that the new rules <br />will open the door to development, <br />mining and drilling in habitats <br />of protected species. The Endangered Species Act <br />is considered the cornerstone <br />of American conservation. It's credited with being <br />instrumental in saving the bald <br />eagle, the American alligator and <br />the grizzly bear from extinction. Environmental organizations <br />have denounced the changes.
