Agents had a similar reaction when a tugboat spilled oil into Great Harbor in Woods Hole, Massachusetts, killing dozens of birds. Oil companies put nets over waste pits. “This clearly was an issue that his clients had been working to change. If you want to run a photo apart from that story, please request specific permission to license by contacting our web team, webteam@revealnews.org. Scientists estimate hundreds of thousands of birds were killed. As a nonprofit newsroom, we want to share our work freely with as many people as possible. Former agents rue the loss of an important tool to prod industries to protect birds. Learn more at revealnews.org and subscribe to the Reveal podcast, produced with PRX, at revealnews.org/podcast. As a rookie agent for the Fish and Wildlife Service in Alaska 30 years ago, Gary Mowad traveled across Prince William Sound for weeks on end, plucking dead birds from “big globs of oil” spilled from the Exxon Valdez tanker. (For example, “yesterday” can be changed to “last week,” and “Portland, Ore.” to “Portland” or “here.”). But Bernhardt did not consider it a conflict of interest to work on the issue. That seemed to contradict instructions issued by the Fish and Wildlife Service. “As this spill involves the incidental take of birds protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, there is currently no enforcement action planned,” according to an email from a Fish and Wildlife agent. Reveal often uses photos we purchase from The Associated Press; those are not available for republication. Bernhardt, a former industry lawyer, played an important role in directing the new interpretation, as previously reported by Reveal. Follow the Humane Society of the United States on Twitter. “In practice, the new M-Opinion means that if an oil or hazardous chemical release occurs and is not done with the intent of taking migratory birds, the MBTA does not apply,” according to the letter from Margaret Everson, the agency’s principal deputy director. “The Government of Canada continues to interpret the century-old Migratory Bird Convention as to prohibiting the incidental take (killing or harming) of migratory birds, their nests and eggs,” said Gabrielle Lamontagne, a spokeswoman for Environment and Climate Change Canada. The Migratory Bird Treaty Act Penalty and Enforcement Act of 2009 (H.R. Fish and Wildlife official who helped negotiate the amendments to the treaties with Canada and Mexico in the 1990s says Trump’s policy is out of step with international obligations. To inquire about syndication or licensing opportunities, please contact our web team, webteam@revealnews.org. The Humane Society of the United States applauds the U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources for voting unanimously on Wednesday to strengthen penalties for killing birds protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Restored wetlands help bolster fish and shellfish, clean water and protect people from big storms. Do not change or edit our material, except only to reflect changes in time and location. You also cannot sell our material separately or syndicate it. The reinterpretation of the bird law by the administration may run afoul of these long-standing treaties. Reveal is awaiting responses from the three other nations that have migratory bird treaties with the U.S. A retired U.S. (In this case, however, Michigan’s state agency stepped in, and saved the great blue heron nests and chicks.). “Those conservation efforts are benefiting birds, sure. "To date, even the most outrageous violations have resulted in nothing more than slaps on the wrist. Follow her on Twitter: @ShogrenE. EPA scientists found a toxic chemical damages fetal hearts. 2062) was introduced by Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-Ore., in April 2009. An email about a timber harvest in Michigan said Fish and Wildlife no longer prohibits loggers from cutting down trees with nests in them, even if it destroys live eggs or chicks. The Trump administration took a step on Friday toward rolling back protections for migratory birds and reducing penalties for companies that inadvertently kill them, the latest effort to finalize regulatory rollbacks before President Donald Trump leaves office in January. This story was originally published by Reveal from The Center for Investigative Reporting, a nonprofit news organization based in the San Francisco Bay Area. The HSUS's tax identification number is 53-0225390. In 2013, Duke Energy Renewables pleaded guilty over the … The Trump White House rewrote their assessment. If we send you a request to remove our content from your website, you must agree to do so immediately. The Interior Department resisted the documents’ release. Internal government emails obtained by Reveal from The Center for Investigative Reporting provide evidence of federal wildlife agents opting out of investigations and enforcement, citing that policy change as the reason. The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization—backed by 11 million Americans, or one of every 28. Energy companies fought this policy in court and lobbied Congress and the Interior Department to abandon it. There’s a lot at stake for birds, people and law enforcement in this fight. The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee voted 14-6 on April 4 in support of Bernhardt’s nomination, and the full Senate is expected to confirm him as secretary. But they’re also benefiting many other species that are using coastal habitats, and they’re also benefiting people,” said Amanda Rodewald, an ornithologist and professor at Cornell University. Electric companies separated wires so eagles and other raptors wouldn’t get electrocuted. Not Anymore. Some congressional Democrats who oppose Bernhardt’s nomination cite his cozy relationship with industries whose profits are affected by decisions at the Interior Department. Penalties associated with violating the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Under Republican and Democratic presidents from Nixon through Obama, killing migratory birds, even inadvertently, was a crime, with fines for violations ranging from $250 to $100 million. If you wish to only use portions of the work or create a derivative, you need separate permission and the license and indemnification do not apply. The HSUS applauds house committee for supporting stronger penalties for killing migratory birds, Better Business Bureau Accredited Charity. Terms of Service apply. They don’t answer calls’: Inside ICE’s coronavirus testing disaster, New York bill to ban toxic solvent TCE awaits governor’s signature, EPA science panel plows ahead with toxic chemical’s review, despite coronavirus crisis. How will Trump’s lax emissions standards save money and lives? Many birds were saved. "By passing Rep. DeFazio's important conservation and anti-crime legislation, Congress can make sure the law has teeth.". We only ask that you follow a few guidelines. There’s a lot at stake for energy companies, too, which is why they’ve worked so hard to weaken this act. Reveal from The Center for Investigative Reporting April 8, 2019.
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