“Habitat modification is the primary reason for [ESA] listing,” Zellmer wrote in her 2026 American Bar Association journal paper. “If modifying habitat is no longer a ‘take,’ the ESA itself would be rendered incapable of satisfying Congress’ goal: ‘to halt and reverse the trend toward species extinction, whatever the cost.’”

https://wyofile.com/tweak-to-endangered-species-act-could-allow-widespread-development/