Defenders Supports New Migratory Bird Protection Act of 2024

Defenders of Wildlife applauds Rep. Jared Huffman (D-CA) and Rep. Fitzpatrick (R-PA) for introducing the Migratory Bird Protection Act of 2024, which strengthens our nation’s ability to protect and coexist with our myriad species of migratory birds. 

“Bipartisanship in the name of birds is laudable, especially when directed toward common-sense policy that will better protect our feathered friends. It harkens  back to the days when environmental protection efforts received near-unanimous support from both sides of the aisle,” said Robert Dewey, vice president of government relations for Defenders of Wildlife. “We thank Rep. Huffman and Rep. Fitzpatrick for their lasting support of our nation’s biodiversity.”

As proposed, the bill will:

•    Amend the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and codify that the law’s prohibition of the unauthorized killing or taking of migratory birds includes incidental take.
•    Direct the Fish and Wildlife Service to authorize incidental take through general permits.
•    Authorize civil penalties for incidental take.
•    Authorize fee collection to cover administrative costs of the permitting program.
•    Authorize $10 million for implementing the bill.
•    Establish a research program to help monitor and understand the status of, and stressors to, bird populations, and help deploy mitigation measures to conserve those populations.

Dating back to 1918, the MBTA is one of the oldest and most successful environmental laws in the United States and, over the last century, can be credited with saving millions of birds ranging from the smallest hummingbirds to the largest raptors.

The Migratory Bird Protection Act of 2024 would strengthen its implementation, at a time when biodiversity loss is accelerating. For example, recent studies have shown that three billion birds have disappeared from the skies of North America since the 1970’s. 

Importantly, the MBTA protects bird species not protected by other federal statutes, such as the Endangered Species Act.