@notafraiddaughter4: The Swinomish And Squaxin Island Tribes Say The Change Threatens Salmon, Steelhead And Killer Whale Recovery Two Native nations have taken the Trump administration to court in Washington state over changes to the Endangered Species Act that they say could weaken protection for wildlife habitat. The Swinomish Indian Tribal Community and Squaxin Island Tribe filed their lawsuit on July 14, 2026, challenging the federal government’s narrower interpretation of “harm.” The previous interpretation allowed agencies to consider habitat destruction that could injure or kill protected species, while the revised approach focuses more narrowly on harm to individual animals. The stakes are especially serious for tribal restoration projects supporting Chinook salmon, steelhead, bull trout and Southern Resident killer whales in the Skagit River watershed. A High Country News report published in October brought renewed attention to the tribes’ legal fight and their concerns about protecting resources for future generations.

NotAfraidDaughter

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Tuesday 13 October 2026 23:40:40 GMT