— The state of South Dakota did not submit official comments on a major change to the federal Endangered Species Act that will roll back protections for forests, wetlands, deserts and other habitats where endangered species live. The South Dakota Ornithologists’ Union submitted comments saying the rule change will “wantonly put us on a path to massive loss of species.” The South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks did not submit an official departmental comment on the rule; nor did the South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Some other states expressed concerns about the proposal, saying it would threaten their plans to safeguard endangered species. Many states have laws to stop poaching, but the protection of nesting trees, spawning streams and other resources has long fallen to the federal Endangered Species Act.