PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The Trump administration has slashed millions of acres of protected habitat for the northern spotted owl in Washington, Oregon and northern California.
Much of the land is in prime timber locations. Environmentalists on Wednesday accused the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 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.
The spotted owl is listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act and has lost nearly 4% of its population each year.