Attorney General Nick Brown today is co-leading a coalition of 21 attorneys general in two lawsuits to maintain protections for endangered and threatened species under threat by the federal administration. One was filed against the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and another against FWS and the National Marine Fisheries Service. The suits challenge new rules under the Endangered Species Act that make it easier for the federal government, private companies or individuals to modify or degrade the habitats of listed threatened and endangered species and leave threatened species without core protections, undermining Congress’ mandate when it passed the law. “The federal government’s attempt to gut the Endangered Species Act threatens the habitats of orcas, sockeye salmon, and other endangered species that are part of our economy, culture, and way of life,” said Brown. “These illegal actions ignore the will of Washingtonians and people across the United States, who overwhelmingly support protecting endangered species.”