Landmark Bird Protection Law Turns 100 Today

Today marks the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA). The MBTA protects more than a thousand species of migratory birds from overhunting and commercial activities; it has prevented the extinction of migratory birds like the snowy egret and red knot, and has long incentivized industries to work with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to minimize migratory bird deaths. But in December 2017, the Trump administration abruptly reversed decades of management and enforcement policy by reinterpreting the MBTA on the eve of its centennial. Under a legal memorandum issued by Department of the Interior, incidental take caused by industries such as utility and energy companies is entirely exempted from the law’s prohibitions. Under the Trump administration’s new policy, the MBTA will only protect migratory birds against purposeful killing and unauthorized hunting.

Defenders of Wildlife President and CEO, Jamie Rappaport Clark, issued this statement:

“Today we celebrate the centennial of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. This landmark law was one of the first to protect wildlife in our nation and highlight the need to steward our precious natural resources. Over the years, the Act has protected millions of migratory birds from threats – first, from becoming feathers for ladies’ hats, and in modern times from industrial threats like oil pits, cell towers, transmission lines and wind turbines.

“Despite this centennial of success, the Trump administration recklessly stripped protections from migratory birds and gave industry a pass to freely kill them. On the centennial anniversary of the signing of the Act, the Trump administration should be reaffirming, not weakening, the nation’s commitment to protecting protect America’s birds.”