The Trump administration moved forward Friday with plans to scale back a century-old law protecting most American wild bird species despite warnings that billions of birds could die as a result.
Officials said in a draft study of the proposal that it could result in more deaths of birds that land in oil pits or collide with power lines or other structures.
More than 1,000 species are covered under the law, and the changes have drawn a sharp backlash from organizations that advocate on behalf of an estimated 46 million U.S. birdwatchers.
The study did not put a number on how many more birds could die but said some vulnerable species could decline to the point where they would require protection under the Endangered Species Act.
“While America is in turmoil, the Trump Administration is continuing its relentless war on nature,” said David Yarnold, president and CEO of the National Audubon Society.
“This administration is churning out policies that make it easier to kill birds, pollute our air and water, and endanger our health. The ’comment periods’ where the public is supposed to have a say on new regulations have become a cruel joke.
The Administration continues to ignore scientists, experts and 46 million bird-lovers in favor of a few bad corporate actors who can’t be bothered with common sense environmental protections.”
Today the Department of the Interior released its Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) as it continues its effort to strip away critical protections in the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA).
Despite requests from governors, state legislatures, mayors, Members of Congress, and a number of conservation organizations, including the National Audubon Society, to pause major changes to critical public protections during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Administration has continued to push its bird-killing policy along with other major rollbacks.
Please Contact Your Elected Official!
Please also contact your Congressman and Senator and ask them to support legislation, the Migratory Bird Protection Act, that would make permanent the intent of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
Source Material For This Article
This article pulls information from the Washington Post’s article on the topic, US moves forward with plan to end wild bird protections. Follow the link to read the full article.
This article also information from the Press Room at the Audobon Society’s press release, Trump Administration Continues Effort to Strip Away Bird Protections. Follow the link to read the full press release.