Obama Administration Revokes Bush ESA Rule

The Obama administration has revoked a controversial regulation that eliminated the long-standing requirement forcing government agencies to consult with biologists at the Fish and Wildlife Service and NOAA Fisheries when proposing an action that would impact a species listed as endangered or threatened.

Interior secretary Ken Salazar and Commerce secretary Gary Locke, in immediately revoking the last-minute Bush administration regulatory change, used power given them by a provision in the 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Act. In addition, President Barack Obama had directed the cabinet officials to review the Bush ESA regulation.

The Bush administration's regulation was finalized in December 2008 and took effect January 15, 2009.