The new rule would change how "harm" is defined under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Harm now includes damaging the places where species live. Under the new rule, only actions that directly hurt or kill an animal — such as hunting or trapping — would count.

The Trump administration is seeking to roll back protections afforded to endangered species in an effort to make it easier to build in their habitats. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service proposed a rule change on Thursday to redefine “harm” narrowly in the Endangered Species Act.