… In April, the Trump administration proposed limiting the Endangered Species Act’s power to preserve habitats. Ecologists argue that the move could have severe consequences for a wide range of ecosystems and species, including the southern sea otter, which is listed as threatened under federal law. … Supporters of the change claim environmentalists have abused the law to limit real estate development, farming, logging and other business activities. What this would mean for Elkhorn Slough, the only estuary along the West Coast where sea otters have significantly colonized, won’t be known until after the final rule is released.

Other aquatic species protection news:

• E&E News by Politico: Greens seek federal protections for two Pacific Northwest fish
• Chico News & Review (Calif.): Bill protecting Shasta and Scott River salmon gets signed​
• Merced Sun-Star (Calif.): Increased Merced River flows to aid salmon migration can pose risk to people, officials say
• Record Searchlight (Redding, Calif.): Return of the Salmon Festival canceled due to federal government shutdown
• Environmental Science Associates: Blog: California advances species protections to counter potential federal withdrawal