State tribes, environmental groups sue, challenging rule change to Endangered Species Act

Washington tribes including the Swinomish and Squaxin Island Tribes sued the federal government Tuesday over Trump administration changes to Endangered Species Act rules that redefine “harm” to protected habitats. The rule change, announced July 10, reduces permitting requirements but tribes argue it threatens chinook salmon recovery in the Puget Sound and Skagit River, which are central to their treaty rights. Nine environmental groups filed a separate lawsuit challenging the same rule.