Wisconsin DOJ has joined a coalition in filing two lawsuits to defend endangered and threatened wildlife
Sep 14, 2026, 9:08 AM CT
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The Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) has joined a coalition in filing two lawsuits to defend endangered and threatened wildlife. The legal actions challenge recent federal rule changes that weaken essential protections under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and threaten the survival of imperiled species across the country. Attorney General Josh Kaul criticized the administration's changes, stating that the new rules green-light the destruction of critical habitats and undermine efforts to prevent species from disappearing.
The first lawsuit targets the federal services' decision to eliminate the longstanding regulatory definition of "harm." Under previous regulations, harm included significant habitat modification or degradation that could kill or injure wildlife by disrupting breeding, feeding, or sheltering. Removing this definition makes it easier for private companies and individuals to degrade natural habitats without facing accountability, even if those actions threaten the survival of protected species.
The second lawsuit challenges regulations from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that reduce protections for threatened species and modify the process for designating "critical habitat." These rule changes rescind automatic protections for newly listed threatened species and establish a process that leaves essential conservation areas vulnerable. Coalition members argue that because habitat loss is the primary cause of species decline, these rollbacks violate the conservation mandate of the ESA, as well as the Administrative Procedure Act and the National Environmental Policy Act.
Wisconsin's participation in these lawsuits reflects its strong interest in preserving its natural resources. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources currently works on numerous projects to restore federally endangered and threatened species. Currently, Wisconsin designates 233 state-level endangered or threatened species, 15 of which rely on federal ESA protections.
Adam Hess has been involved in radio broadcasting since 1990, with many of those years spent on the air at WRCO FM in Richland Center. Currently, Adam hosts the Weekend Wake-up and Prime Mover Saturdays on WRCO FM, jumps in and helps out with news duties, handles Social Media duties for WRCO and WRCE, and is the Director of Technology at a Southwest Wisconsin School District. Reach him at adam.hess@civicmedia.us.
