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Federal · Final rule · Interior Department

Rescinding the Definition of “Harm” Under the Endangered Species Act

Final rule Significant Official data

Last official action: · Record last updated:

Official abstract (Federal Register)

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS; collectively referred to as the "Services") rescind the regulatory definition of "harm" in our Endangered Species Act (ESA or the Act) regulations. This rescission removes the regulatory definition of "harm" from the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) in Title 50 parts 17 and 222.

Dates (as published)

This final rule is effective September 14, 2026.

Read the rule on FederalRegister.gov ↗

Sources

  1. Federal Register: 91 FR 43300
  2. Official PDF (GovInfo)
  3. Federal Register API (Office of the Federal Register / GPO)