Little flap under fog lights

Does anyone know what the use of this flap is. My new tires are rubbing against it and I was wondering if I can just take it off

 

Take them off.

 

I don't think anyone knows what it does. Just pull it off.

 

I trimmed mine down in half. It's an aero thing. No biggie

 

Mine vehicles (light trucks) I've driven had flaps in the front to prevent mud from being flung ahead (at speed). Without the forward flaps some serious mud and crap would end up on the radiator and windshield. Maybe these were intended to combat some "blow back" when driving in wet conditions.

 

It's sort of an air dam and also what @GREENBIRD56 said.
I've removed mine some time ago with no ill effects.