Protecting Coastal Ecosystems: Why We Must Defend the Endangered Species Act

Red Knots and horseshoe crabs congregate on Delaware Bay beaches in an ancient rite of Spring that is also crucial to the future health of coastal ecosystems. Weakening the Endangered Species Act would make it harder to protect both. (Photo by Susan Allen)

Every spring, a prehistoric ritual unfolds on the sandy shores of the Delaware Bay. The rufa Red Knot, a master of long-distance migration, touches down on our beaches to fuel up on horseshoe crab eggs before completing its arduous journey to the Arctic. This spectacle is a reminder that our coastlines are not just beautiful landscapes; they are vital engines of life that have supported complex ecosystems for millennia. From the shorebirds on the sand to the life beneath the waves, these coastal systems are the foundation of our natural heritage.

The reach of these habitats extends far beyond the Red Knot. Our rivers and estuaries serve as critical corridors for the Atlantic sturgeon, while our salt marshes provide rare nesting grounds for the elusive Eastern blackrail. Even the majestic North Atlantic right whale relies on these coastal waters as a migratory highway. These species represent the incredible diversity of our region, and they all share one thing in common: a fundamental dependence on the integrity of our coastal habitats to survive and thrive.

However, a new threat has emerged that puts this entire web of life at risk. Proposed changes to the Endangered Species Act (ESA) seek to weaken protections for "threatened" species and the habitats they rely on. As climate change accelerates and industrial development along our coasts expands, these safeguards are more important than ever. Weakening the ESA now would make it significantly harder to protect vulnerable species just when they need our help the most. We must ensure that the "threatened" designation remains a powerful tool for conservation, not a watered-down label.

The Endangered Species Act works — it has successfully prevented extinction for over 99% of the species listed under its protection. We cannot afford to let these proven safeguards be dismantled.

Public comments are open now through December 22, and your voice is essential in this fight. To make it as easy as possible for you to take action, we have provided a sample letter below. Please copy, customize, and submit your comment to the official registry today to help us keep our coastal wildlife and habitats protected.

Example Letter
 
Dear U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and NOAA Fisheries,

I am writing to express my concern about the proposed changes to how the Endangered Species Act (ESA) is implemented.

For more than 50 years, the ESA has been one of our country’s most effective conservation laws. Scientists estimate that it has prevented the extinction of more than 99% of species listed under the Act, protecting wildlife while also conserving the habitats that support healthy communities and local economies.

These protections matter deeply. Our coasts, rivers, and estuaries support species such as red knots, Eastern blackrail, piping plovers, Atlantic sturgeon, sea turtles, and North Atlantic right whales. These species depend on healthy, connected habitat and timely protections, especially as climate change and coastal development place increasing pressure on natural systems.

I am concerned that the proposed rule changes would:

• Remove automatic protections for threatened species, creating delays and uncertainty.
• Make it harder to protect important coastal and estuarine habitat that species rely on.
• Weaken how impacts from federally permitted projects—including those deemed “economically” prioritized, such as energy and infrastructure development—are evaluated.

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Delays in protection and reduced habitat safeguards increase risk for species that are already vulnerable. At the same time, weakening habitat protections also affects people. Healthy coastal and river systems help reduce flooding, improve water quality, support fisheries and recreation, and strengthen community resilience. These benefits are also economically valuable and should be prioritized as well.

The Endangered Species Act works because it is science-based and precautionary. I urge the Service to maintain strong implementation of the ESA and to reject changes that would weaken protections for threatened species and the critical habitats that they rely on.

Thank you for considering my comments and for your role in protecting our nation’s wildlife and natural resources.

Sincerely,​
[Your Name] [City, State]

Comment here before Monday, December 22: https://www.regulations.gov/document/FWS-HQ-ES-2025-0039-0001​

We must protect the Endangered Species Act in order to protect the coast we love! (Photo by Susan Allen)