STPS Response to Proposed Changes to the Endangered Species Act (ESA) – December 2025

Letting Our Voices Be Heard

Thanks to everyone who submitted their comments regarding the latest proposed ESA rule changes that would weaken the protections for hundreds of species of animals and plants in the U.S. including six species of sea turtles. According to the Regulations.gov website, over 300,000 comments were received from the public for each of the four different proposals.

STPS Communications Director Joel Cohen submitted our opposition to these changes. Use the links below to read each letter.

• Opposition to Expanded Critical Habitat Exclusions (Docket FWS-HQ-ES-2025-0048)
• Opposition to Removal of the “Blanket 4(d) Rule” (Docket FWS-HQ-ES-2025-0029)
• Opposition to Proposed Revision of Section 4 Regulations (Docket FWS-HQ-ES-2025-0039
• Opposition to Proposed Revision of Section 7 Consultations (Docket FWS-HQ-ES-2025-0044)

Thanks again everybody for taking the time during the busy holiday season to voice your opinions on this important matter.

Sources:

• Endangered Species Coalition press release: “Hundreds of Thousands of Americans Oppose Trump Administration Effort to Roll Back Protections for Imperiled Animals and Plant Species”
• U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service website: “The Endangered Species Act at 50: More Important Than Ever”
• NOAA Fisheries website: “Sea Turtles”
• Regulations.gov website: Critical Habitat (Docket FWS-HQ-ES-2025-0048)
• Regulations.gov website: Endangered or Threatened Wildlife and Plants (Docket FWS-HQ-ES-2025-0029)
• Regulations.gov website: Listing Endangered and Threatened Species and Designating Critical Habitat (Docket FWS-HQ-ES-2025-0039)
• Regulations.gov website: Interagency Cooperation – (Docket FWS-HQ-ES-2025-0044)