States Challenge Rule Changes That Limit Habitat Protection

U.S. states filed two lawsuits on September 9, 2026. The lawsuits challenge new federal rules that reduce protections for habitats where endangered animals live. The challengers include Washington, California, Maryland and Massachusetts and other states and the District of Columbia. One change removed the government’s regulatory definition of “harm.” Another change stopped automatic protections for newly listed threatened species. The states say these changes allow digging, drilling and other business activities in important wildlife places.

The cases were filed in federal court in the Northern District of California. The states ask the court to throw out the rules and keep habitat protections. People who care about wildlife say habitats are the most important place to protect animals.