These protections were…

These protections were brought into place because these endangered species do not have the means to protect themselves from the encroachment of humanity, specifically of human businesses who value profits before any other considerations. Changing the act to look for "efficiencies" AKA cuts that will allow businesses to do as they wish, is EXACTLY what the act was made to prevent. And anyways, the amount of lawsuits brought forth by environmental groups if the act is changed means the government will likely LOSE money, not save it.