Trump wants to use the ‘God Squad’ to increase logging, but it must follow strict rules
Associated PressPresident Donald Trump wants to increase logging in national forests and on public lands, including by bypassing endangered species protections. To do that, the federal government would have to activate a seldom-used committee nicknamed the “God Squad” because it can approve federal projects even if it leads to extinction of a species otherwise protected by the Endangered Species Act. The president on Saturday signed actions to increase domestic lumber production in national forests and other public lands, directing federal agencies to look for ways to bypass protections for endangered species. Upon taking office in January, Trump declared a national energy emergency and directed the committee to convene at least quarterly to either consider exemptions or, if there are none, “to identify obstacles to domestic energy infrastructure” related to the Endangered Species Act or the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
History of this topic
Biden aims to restore species protections weakened by Trump
Associated Press
Biden aims to restore species protections weakened by Trump
Associated Press
Groups blast Trump logging plan aimed at reducing wildfires
The Independent
US wildlife agency seeks to carve out areas from protections
Associated Press
Trump to repeal Obama-era rule banning 'inhumane' hunting techniques
The Independent
Donald Trump's former adviser calls for overhaul of Endangered Species Act as environmentalists' fears grow
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