Trump administration slashes imperiled northern spotted owls’ habitat

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The Trump administration has slashed millions of acres of protected habitat for the imperiled northern spotted owl in Oregon, Washington and northern California.

Much of the land is in prime timber locations in Oregon’s coastal ranges.

Environmentalists on Wednesday accused the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under President Donald Trump of taking a parting shot at protections designed to help restore the species in favor of the timber industry.

Timber groups have applauded the decision and say more logging in forests is necessary to prevent wildfires.

The spotted owl is listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act and has lost nearly 4% of its population each year.

Read more at: https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-wildlife-washington-oregon-environment-7b9c53a88608054d521ac7d6025461fa