The U.S. Department of the Interior and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration recently proposed comprehensive changes in how the Endangered Species Act (ESA) is implemented. These address the species listing process, critical habitat designations, and the §7 consultation process. If approved, these rules could have a significant impact on species conservation in the United States. On July 31, 2018, ELI hosted a webinar that highlighted reactions to the proposed changes. The panelists provided an advance look into the potential benefits and repercussions of applying the ESA under these proposed regulations. This article presents a transcript of the discussion, which has been edited for style, clarity, and space considerations.