Thank you, Melinda.
I am working on my comments now. If I am correct, this change in the rule
would have left BP off the hook for their oil spill in the Gulf years ago that
killed so many birds and destroyed so much habitat. They would have had no
penalties!
Dev Joslin
Monteverde, Costa Rica
________________________________
From: tn-bird-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <tn-bird-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> on behalf of
Melinda Welton <dmarc-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Monday, July 6, 2020 1:43 PM
To: tnbird <tn-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [TN-Bird] TOS Action Alert! Bird protections under attack
Dear all,
Bird protections are under attack in a major way and we have two weeks to make
our voices heard. In 2017 the Administration ceased enforcement of penalties
for bird deaths caused by avoidable industrial hazards. Now the Fish and
Wildlife Service wants to codify that rule. The new rule would apply the
Migratory Bird Treaty Act protections only when an activity “purposefully”
kills birds. The comment period for the draft Environmental Impact Statement
for this new rule is midnight July 20th. Submit your comments here.
https://www.regulations.gov/comment?D=FWS-HQ-MB-2018-0090-8411
This link summarizes the Alternatives in the draft EIS. Alternative B is the
best alternative to return the protections we have traditionally relied on.
You should make reference to this in your letter.
https://www.fws.gov/birds/news/200605MBTA.php
This link takes you to an excellent description of what the loss of these
protections would mean and has talking points you can use for your letter
https://abcbirds.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/MBTA-DEIS-talking-points.pdf?eType=EmailBlastContent&eId=a1553894-24c1-4bcf-aa5c-2e60a5c87d96
Melinda Welton
Nashville, TN
