A controversial Trump legal opinion weakened a law to protect birds. Now it might be made permanent. [View all]

[douglas9]

Proposed rule would ensure people, companies won’t face prosecution for accidentally killing birds

The Trump administration is working to cement new standards weakening enforcement of the century-old Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

Interior Department officials said Thursday that they will propose regulations clarifying that individuals and industrial operators, such as oil, gas and wind companies, will not be penalized if they accidentally kill birds — even on a massive scale.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Aurelia Skipwith said the new regulatory language is needed so that private industries “can operate without the fear and uncertainty that the unintentional consequences of their actions may be prosecuted” when birds are killed. Officials said they will rely on companies to voluntarily protect birds.

Skipwith noted that her agency’s mission centered on protecting the nation’s wildlife and plant species.

“Migratory bird conservation is an integral part of that mission, and we are fully committed to it,” she said, adding that the administration also wants to reduce regulatory obstacles.


https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2020/01/30/controversial-trump-legal-opinion-weakened-law-protect-birds-now-they-want-make-it-permanent/