The Fish That Stopped a Dam
Take a journey back to 1978 when Billy Joel, Queen and Olivia Newton John were blasting their number one hits upon the radio. At that same time, one of the nation’s biggest construction projects was happily hammering away in Tennessee. The Telico Dam. It was a $100-million dam-building undertaking (roughly $460m in today’s monies). It promised jobs, flood control, and economic growth. The dam seemed as though it was progressing as smooth as butter until along came biologists that noted a little three-inch fish that halted the multi-million-dollar project in its tax dollar sucking tracks. The snail darter, not even a snail, but a tiny, not so glamorous fish swimming about the gravel beds of the Little Tennessee River. It became the center of courtroom hype that darted all way up to the fancy pants U.S. of A Supreme Court.
The snail darter, so small nobody ever heard of it before, let alone gave two hoots. Under the newly christened 1972 protections of the Endangered Species Act (ESA), the law was clear that if the dam project meant extinction of the fish, the dam building must stop pronto. No questions. Not one. It was in fact determined that the fish would go extinct should the dam building project carry on. So, fast forward to ‘78, the Supreme Court halted the dam project pronto under ESA authority in order to protect the tiny, endangered fish. No matter how big a hole the money burned in the pockets of tax payers.
The ruling sent shockwaves through the political world and the politicians of 1978 unanimously and synchronously soiled their newly drycleaned pants, as millions of dollars of projects could theoretically be interrupted for the sake of an endangered species, no matter how tiny and unglamorous. Outrage ensued. Backlash monumental. The snail darter became a household name, was mocked in political cartoons and celebrated by conservationists as proof that the US actually gave a goddamn about species survival.
Congress was furious that a little three-inch fish stopped the progress they’d been funding for years. The solution to their inconvenient incontinence was to amend the ESA law and drum up the Endangered Species Committee, more famously known as the God Squad. The plan: to override ESA authority should a species impact the wallets of the barons’ whose teats Congress suckle upon. So, in 1978 the God Squad was birthed, a political fraternity of cabinet-level officials that are given the ultimate authority to decide on a case-by-case basis whether a species lives or dies. Or, to use their language, whether “progress” continues.
Photo by Rahul Pabolu on Unsplash
In 1979, congress circled back to Tellico Dam in Tennessee. The first case for the Squad to examine was the snail darter v. Tellico Dam. Congress essentially created the Squad for this case. Get this: after weighing the arguments, the God Squad actually denied the exemption unanimously, finding the benefits of completing the dam didn’t outweigh the ecological cost. Secretary of the Interior Cecil Andrus famously labeled the dam “ill-conceived and uneconomic in the first place.” It actually ruled against finishing the dam and sided with the little fish! Suck it, Congress.
Congress didn’t suck it for long. Within months, Congress took yet another stab at pushing for “progress” and overrode the decision of the God Squad by passing a special rider sponsored by Senator Howard Baker (R–Tenn.). This rider exempted the Tellico Dam from the ESA restrictions in order to push the project forward. President Jimmy Carter (D) signed the rider and forced the dam to completion. The river flooded and the snail darter’s only home in the world was destroyed. In spite of all the nonsense, the species survived thanks to biologists who scrambled to translocate the species elsewhere, so it didn’t go extinct in the end despite of the efforts of Jimmy Carter, Howard Baker, and the other congressional incontinent monkeys of 1979.
The happy ending is that the tiny fish is no longer
endangered. The sad ending is that the God Squad was spawned out of Congress’
typically greedy butts.
God Squad History 101
Let’s go back to 1972, when the Endangered Species Act (ESA) was created. To brush up on the importance of the ESA, it requires federal agencies to ensure their actions don’t undermine the continued existence of listed endangered or threatened species. The Supreme Court originally stated that the ESA means what it says: any project that causes harm to an endangered species has to stop. No Exceptions. Capisce?
Photo by Ian Hutchinson on Unsplash
No. No capisce. Politicians and natural resource barons
did not appreciate limitations, given that “progress” and manifest destiny tend
to give them a bit of a chub. The ESA did indeed drain out their little power
chubs. So, the big wigs needed to create a poop hole. Pardon me, a loophole.
Mission: to grant exemptions that allow projects such as dams, highways, or
mines to move forward. Even when that project mows down endangered species. So,
after the pants soiling incident in 1978, congress invented the God Squad. If
the Squad deems a project of national importance + the benefits outweigh
conservation concerns + there’s no reasonable alternative = they have the
authority to green light whatever senselessness they want. No matter the cost.
Even if that cost is extinction. Due to the enormous power this chub— ahem, I
mean club. Due to the enormous power this club holds over the life, death and continued
existence of an entire species, the press quickly dubbed this committee the God
Squad.
Photo by Josie Weiss on Unsplash
Let me color in with broad strokes the three times the God Squad swooped in to toss about its power. 1979: Tellico Dam vs. snail darter. As stated in the above story, a not so glamorous species, yet an important Jenga piece in our ecosystem. The God Squad unanimously denied the exemption. Still, the snail darter’s habitat was destroyed nonetheless. 1979 again: Grayrocks Dam vs. Whooping Crane. The Rural Electrification Administration wanted to finish the Grayrocks Dam on Wyoming’s Laramie River, which could potentially compromise habitat critical to the endangered whooping crane, one of the rarest North American birds. The God Squad approved the exemption and allowed the dam to be finished. The cranes lost and their species declined dramatically. Lastly, 1992: Pacific Northwest Timber Sales vs. Northern Spotted Owl. The Bureau of Land Management proposed multiple timber sales that could jeopardize the owl's habitat. After hearings, the God Squad approved an exemption on 13 of the 44 parcels that included conditions to preserve contiguous habitat and required the implementation of the Fish & Wildlife Service’s recovery plan for the owl. Due to the decision-making powers being entrusted to suckling political faces, not independent scientists, even though only 13 parcels were sold for timber, the spotted owl still suffered habitat loss and species decline.
While the God Squad has only been summoned three times in almost 50 years, those three times significantly watered down ESA authority. The birth of the God Squad highlights that the ESA’s “no jeopardy” standard can be side-stepped. They can prioritize economic and development interests over species protection, no matter the long-term consequences. Mitigation is treated as an acceptable tradeoff. If a project is politically powerful, ESA protections are blasted past. The God Squad’s involvement can delay conservation while natural resource draining is lobbied. It indicates that political pressure can threaten ESA protections.
God Squad Resurrection 2025
If God Squad has only been beckoned for exemptions a few times way back in the 70s and 90s of last century, what’s the bfd? So, my friends, it turns out there has been a recent unfortunate resurrection. And I’m not talking about the Jesus. I’m talking about the God Squad.
In January 2025, our very own Mister President Donald Trump issued Executive Order 14156, designating an "energy emergency" in order to direct federal agencies to flex their powers to bypass the Endangered Species Act protections. Never had I heard of this alleged energy emergency, at least in the US, so I did some digging abouts. As it turns out, it depends on who you ask. If you ask Donald, Trump administrative officials, oil and gas industries, fossil fuel trade groups, or conservative think tanks and policy institutes such as the infamous Heritage Foundation and Cato (mind you, both boinking around with ExxonMoble and other oily barons with billion-dollar wallets), then yes, the US is in an energy crisis. If you ask energy researchers and academics, environmental groups, independent economists/analysis, then no, the US is not in an energy crisis at this point in time. The math from my political nonsense scale would indicate that we are certainly not in enough of a crisis to smash up endangered species that are hanging on by what’s left of their dear threads.
In the past, few administrations fancied being remembered as the turds who authorized the extinction of a species. Especially since the cascading effects of that stain leads to increased dangers of natural disasters and pandemics. The current unfortunate Trump administration does not seem to give two toots about those optics.
The reason I wrote this entire piece: Section 6 of Trump’s executive order specifically mandates the God Squad to meet quarterly, even when no exemption requests have been submitted. Through an executive order, in the name of a falsified energy crisis, Trump is rewriting the original guidelines of the Squad, which were intended to convene on a project-by-project basis. Which, as you may remember, has been exercised only three times in nearly 50 years. The implication is that Trump is attempting to turn a dormant, project-specific committee (the God Squad) into a proactive policy maker. Critics state that forcing the committee to meet regularly has no legal basis. But this is Trump we’re talking about. And get this: the stated purpose of Trump’s executive order is to identify obstacles to energy and infrastructure projects linked to the ESA or the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Give me a moment as I gasp.
The indication of this God Squad executive order is that it aims to move along infrastructure projects that might otherwise be delayed due to species protections. It also has the power to approve energy projects that would otherwise be halted by critical ESA protections for endangered species. These exemptions aim to increase activities such as logging, oiling, gassing, and infrastructure development in habitats critical to endangered species.
The pickle here is that this approach enables political decision-making to supersede science-based species protections. Environmental groups expressed significant concern over this executive order, arguing that it undermines decades of conservation efforts and could lead to irreversible harm to biodiversity. Critics contend that the God Squad was intended as a last-resort mechanism, not a tool for routine bypassing of environmental safeguards.
This is the writing on the wall: Trump's actions around the God Squad are part of a broader push to loosen environmental constraints. Trump is currently redefining the meaning of "harm" as used in the ESA laws. Proposals are already underway to narrow what qualifies as harmful, with the aim of excluding habitat destruction and other indirect impacts from legal protection. Trump’s cuts to conservation funding and agency staff are plundering programs critical to species survival, raising serious concerns that these reduced protections will mean real extinction risks. This all makes it extremely clear that decisions made by the God Squad will reflect political agendas rather than scientific or conservation-based reasoning.
Powerful industries like timber, mining, oil, real
estate, or agriculture can exert influence on committee members. Critics argue
this creates a system where money and political pressure can outweigh
ecological concerns. The ESA is supposed to protect all listed species equally,
but the God Squad can single out cases for exemptions. This selective approach
often reflects political priorities rather than environmental necessity,
leading to accusations of favoritism or “who you know” politics. Some argue the
God Squad is a political tool costumed up to look like a safety valve for
balancing human needs with species protection, but in practice it can be used
to justify controversial projects.
Ecological impact
Since the God Squad’s muscles have only been flexed three times, the full ecological impact is still to be determined. That said, when exceptions were granted, even partially, it led to irreversible habitat loss (snail darter) and contributed to long-term population decline (whooping crane, spotted owl). If the Trump administration does successfully resurrect the God Squad as a proactive tool, not just case-by-case, it could legally allow harm, destroy critical habitats, fragment populations, and weaken the overall effectiveness of the ESA, pushing species closer to extinction. The implications of this are bleak in that the God Squad can increase the risk of species and ecosystems moving closer to outright collapse.
The God Squad creates problems
for the planet because it has the power to undermine biodiversity,
destabilize ecosystems, worsen climate impacts, and create irreversible
environmental damage, affecting the health of the entire Earth system.
Longterm, this is not good for the human species as weakening any ecosystem
ultimately weakens the human ecosystem.
Biodiversity is the planet’s safety net, helping ecosystems adapt to change and remain resilient. Biodiversity and healthy ecosystems store carbon, regulate water cycles, and buffer against extreme weather. The God Squad exemptions can accelerate species extinction, reduce global biodiversity and weaken the resilience of ecosystems worldwide. To put this in the language of how this fucks with the lives of people, habitat destruction enabled by the God Squad can release carbon, increase flooding or drought, and reduce natural climate regulation. We can expect even more natural disasters and pandemics induced by people in power who just want a fat wallet and chub for a couple of minutes.
Damaging one species or habitat can have far-reaching effects on other species, ecosystems, and even human communities across the planet. Endangered species often play critical roles in ecosystems, as pollinators, predators, prey, or keystone species. When the God Squad allows projects that harm these species, it can disrupt entire ecological networks, leading to cascading effects including: overpopulation of some species, collapse of food chains, loss of ecosystem services like pollination, water purification, or soil stabilization. Once a species or habitat is lost, the planet cannot fully recover that biodiversity. God Squad exemptions can tip the balance, pushing fragile ecosystems past a point of no return.
Ecologically, the implications are that the power of
extinction lies in human hands. It sits at the intersection of science,
politics, economics, and ethics, often appearing to prioritize human interests
over the survival of endangered species. It essentially turns extinction into a
political decision, not a scientific or ecological one. It exists as a loophole
in environmental law, allowing projects to proceed even when the project threatens
endangered species, often influenced by politics and short-term economic interests.
It undermines the ESA’s primary goal: preventing extinction. It allows economic
priorities (dams, logging, energy development) to outweigh biodiversity
preservation. In simple terms, this is short-term economic power grab, versus
long-term planetary health (clean air, soil, water). Even if an exemption is
never granted, the mere existence of the God Squad can influence negotiations
and policy, putting pressure on conservation scientists to justify protections
in economic terms, not science. Large corporations or politically powerful
regions can leverage the God Squad, while small communities or less charismatic
species may not get the same consideration. By prioritizing short-term projects
over species protection, the God Squad can undermine conservation efforts,
making it harder for scientists and conservationists to save endangered
species.
Where’s the damn hope?
The recent Trump executive order has brought the God Squad’s potential use back into focus, underscoring the ongoing tension between environmental protection and economic interests. The future of the God Squad will likely depend on political dynamics, public advocacy, and judicial review, ensuring that its role continues to be a subject of active debate and scrutiny. Even if the God Squad is currently prone to political manipulation, hope exists in courts, public activism, and scientific advocacy. It’s not a complete wasteland, just a system under intense political pressure that requires vigilance.
There are signs of hope even within this broken ass system. Strong environmental laws still exist. The ESA is still in place and continues to protect thousands of species. The God Squad is only one part of the ESA, so most species protections are still legally enforceable. Legal and public oversight remain in place. Environmental groups often monitor and challenge God Squad exemptions in court. Public pressure, media scrutiny, and legal challenges can check politically motivated decisions.
In principle, the God Squad is supposed to consider scientific evidence before granting exemptions. This gives conservationists a foothold to argue and influence decisions with strong ecological data. Legal challenges and public advocacy are expected to play crucial roles in scrutinizing any future exemptions granted by the committee. Even with Trump pushing to increase God Squad power and usage, for an exemption to be granted, a majority of the committee's seven members must determine that: 1. No reasonable and prudent alternatives exist; 2. The benefits of the proposed action outweigh the benefits of conserving the species; 3. The action is of regional or national significance; and 4. No irreversible or irretrievable commitment of resources has been made by the federal agency or project applicant. These criteria are designed to ensure that exemptions are not granted lightly and are subject to rigorous analysis.
There are reform possibilities as well. Transparency reforms could include open meetings, public comment periods, and clear reporting of decisions. Scientific checks could be implemented to require independent ecological review before exemptions. Narrowed criteria could restrict the God Squad’s authority to cases of extreme necessity. Increased accountability in the form of judicial or congressional review of decisions could help to put more checks in place before exemptions could be granted. At this point there is still hope. We just need to pay attention. And speak up.
What can you and me do about it?
We can’t abolish the God Squad overnight, but we can influence how it operates through public pressure, legal action, scientific advocacy, policy reform, and local conservation. Every voice and action counts, especially when combined with organized advocacy. Here’s a clear, actionable breakdown of what can be done to counter or improve the God Squad’s impact on endangered species:
1. Advocacy & Public Pressure
·
Raise awareness: Educate your community,
write op-eds, or share info (ahem, this article) about the God Squad and its
potential consequences.
·
Contact policymakers: Write or call your
Senators and Representatives to express concern over political exemptions that
harm species.
· Support environmental groups: Organizations like the Sierra Club, Center for Biological Diversity, or Defenders of Wildlife actively challenge God Squad exemptions in court.
2. Legal Action
·
Monitor exemptions: Stay informed when
the God Squad meets or approves exemptions.
·
File or support lawsuits: Environmental
law organizations often challenge exemptions that violate ESA rules or ignore
scientific evidence.
· Demand transparency: Push for public hearings and disclosures for any exemptions considered.
3. Scientific & Data-Based Advocacy
·
Provide strong ecological evidence:
Highlight species’ critical status, ecosystem roles, and long-term consequences
of exemptions.
· Engage scientists and conservationists: Expert testimony and peer-reviewed research can counter political pressure
4. Policy Reform
·
Advocate for legislative changes:
Examples include:
o Narrowing
the God Squad’s authority to extreme cases only.
o Requiring
independent scientific review before any exemption.
o Increasing
public participation and transparency.
· Push for executive oversight limits: Ensuring that emergency executive orders can’t bypass ESA protections lightly.
5. Grassroots & Local Action
·
Protect habitats locally: State and local
protections can buffer species from federal exemptions.
·
Engage communities in conservation:
Citizen science, habitat restoration, and local wildlife protection efforts reduce
reliance on federal action.
Wrap it up
Basically, we aren’t totally shit out of luck. But we do
need to pay attention to what’s going on in this area so the whims of politicians
don’t cause more harm than they already do. And when we do notice harm, we need
to call it out. This God Squad exec order needs to be called out. It’s creepy.
