Today, the Biden Administration formally announced the revocation of the rule finalized on January 7, 2021 that severely limited the scope of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) and exempted industry from punishment for causing deaths or harm to migratory birds. Begun as a treaty with Canada in 1916 and since codified into law, the MBTA originally protected migratory bird species from the feather trade. More recently, it is used to protect migratory species from the impacts of oil and gas development, wind turbines, and mining.
American avocets by USFWS
The previous administration believed the restrictions on industry were too onerous, but given that migratory birds species are already in decline, allowing a free pass to corporations in the mass death of bird species is not the answer.
The National Wildlife Refuge Association thanks Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland and her team for all fo their hard work to protect our wildlife species. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s biologists and professional staff are the best in the business, and we look forward to working with the Administration to increase land and wildlife protections.