Trump administration said this past Wednesday that it would slash millions of acres. This would affect the protected habitat set up for the imperiled northern spotted owl. It pertains to a few states including Washington.

Trump Administration is Hurting the Tiny Owl

The U.S. Fish and Wildfire Service by environmentalists is decrying the move under President Donald Trump. It is a parting shot at the protections restoring the species in favor of the timber industry. President Donald Trump is a great man but this is not one of his “finest” and “best” moments!

It is a threat to the Endangered Species Act. The tiny owl part of that act. Unfortunately, it did not get an upgrade. Therefore, moved to endangered status last year by a federal agency. Unfortunately, despite losing nearly 4% of its population annually. This is so sad! The tiny owl is a creation of nature and a beautiful and unique creature!

Revision Guts Protected Habitat for the Northern Spotted Owl

“This revision guts protected habitat for the northern spotted owl by more than a third. It’s Trump’s latest parting gift to the timber industry and another blow to a species that needs all the protection it can get to fully recover,” said Noah Greenwald, endangered species director for the Center for Biological Diversity.

Timber groups applauded the decision, which won’t take effect for 60 days. More thinning and management of protected forests is necessary to prevent wildfires, which devastated 560 square miles (1,450 square kilometers) of spotted owl habitat last fall, said Travis Joseph, president of the American Forest Resources Council. Of that, about 300 square miles (777 square kilometers) is no longer considering viable for the birds.

Robust “Endangered” Status

The northern spotted owl warrants being moved up to the more robust “endangered” status because of continued population declines according to the Fish and Wildlife Service. Yet the agency refused to do so last year because other species instead have taken on a higher priority.

The legal challenge is the decision led by the Center for Biological Diversity.