In the Fall 2017 publication of the Unified Agenda of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, the Department of the Interior announced its intent to revise the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s regulations governing interagency cooperation and exceptions to the conservation of endangered and threatened species of fish, wildlife, and plants. In a separate announcement in the same publication, the Department of the Interior stated that it intends to revise regulations governing the listing of endangered and threatened species and the designation of critical habitat. The announcements cite Executive Order 13771 – entitled, “Enforcing the Regulatory Reform Agenda” – which articulates the Trump Administration’s policy and commitment to alleviate unnecessary regulatory burden. It can be expected that the forthcoming regulatory revisions will aim to streamline and reduce Endangered Species Act compliance obligations. Please check back here for further coverage of these regulatory developments.
