A bedrock protection for birds native to North America is in danger of being gutted by House lawmakers.
The Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) is the key protection for non-endangered birds in the United States. It protects hundreds of bird species, and in its nearly 100-year history has remained largely uncontroversial.
But earlier this week, an amendment that would cripple the Act was quietly added to a larger energy bill. If passed into law, this amendment to the SECURE American Energy Act (H.R.4239) will end the MBTA’s provision that holds industries accountable for bird deaths resulting from their activities.
Canada and the U.S. signed the MBTA into law in 1918. Its passage created a uniform protection for birds across these two nations (shortly after its initial signing, the U.S. signed a similar treaty with Mexico). The Act made it a crime to “pursue, hunt, take, capture, kill,” or “sell” a migratory bird or any of its parts, including nests, eggs, and feathers.
Since the 1970s, the Act has kept oil, gas, timber, mining, chemical, and electricity companies accountable as well — it ensures they take precautions to avoid bird deaths that can be easily avoided with infrastructure modifications. According to the Audubon Society, the MBTA has “led to common-sense practices that save birds’ lives.”
The MBTA stands as a landmark in environmental protection.
The author and supporters of this amendment argue that the MBTA’s language has been misinterpreted and used for “overzealous guidance and regulations on energy operators.” They bemoan delays and permitting denials for businesses. But this mere inconvenience for business is a matter of life and death for birds.
Animals do not have representatives in our political system. They cannot sign petitions, call their senators, or donate to advocacy groups. That’s why its crucial for us to to speak up and call for strong protection for them and their habitats. It is unacceptable to kill America’s birds just so Big Energy and other business operators can make more money.
Please call or write your representative in the House to let them know that you strongly oppose this dangerous amendment. Birds should not be sentenced to death for corporate profits. Our elected officials have a duty to preserve our land and strive to live in harmony with our feathered friends — not reduce protections in favor of corporate profits.
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Do NOT mess with the Migratory Bird Treaty Act! The amendment to the SECURE American Energy Act (H.R. 4239) must not be passed as will gives industry carte blanche to murdering birds!
Should we do the same to you?
If we could just leave Gods beautiful creatures ALONE they will be around for our children, our children’s children and so on, to see.
Why must we cage everything we see as beauty, taking away the freedom of life they knew. Such as butterflies, cute little animals, like the monkey Justin Beiber abandon some years ago.
We see little to no regard to the life these beautiful creatures had before it is taken away. Their lives cut short. Not only are their lives stolen, their eggs are taken, babies born in to captivity, some make it, most do not.
I will sign this petition when one comes out with NO hesitation, I hope the world will feel the same as I do, to save ALL Gods beautiful creatures, by just leaving them ALONE
The author of this ‘bill” is the daughter of former vice president Dick Cheney … need anyone say more?
$$ is all that matters … let industry run amok (as if they aren’t already) for even more profit.
Government officials will not be satisfied until all animals are dead.
Government officials will not be satisfied until all animals are dead.
Is Trump really in it for your nations interest or for his own interests and those of his industrial buddies just to make more billions for themselves. Everything he seems to want to overturn gives way to destroying the land and its inhabitants just so they can get there machines into it to make themselves richer. Sad man he is. You shouldn’t let this jack b*****d have a second term.
What is wrong with these people? I can’t believe anyone can be so evil.
I am not a citizen of the America’s so, I am unable to call or write to a house representative however, I am a citizen of the Planet Earth and I recognise speciesism when I see it and like it’s siblings, racism and sexism, is an abuse of power of one being over another and so, I encourage those of you that can write to a house representative to urge them to speak up for the victims (the birds in this case) to do so.
Profits over ANYTHING has destroyed our world. The real government ruling people is
the corporations thru out history. Remember your USA and other governments care
less about you and the environment. History has shown destruction for the almighty
profit is their goal. Whether capitalism, communism, ditatorships, its all the same
animals, environment and humans are all sacrificed.
When Legislators have time on their hands or disappointed with their dull lives they decide to kill birds. They think this is the way to get votes.
My heart breaks for these wonderful animals. God bless you and all you do! Thank you so much! Love and hugs from South Carolina.
Most Americans want to protect our Birds and Wildlife, but a greedy government and special interests seem intent on only wanting to destroy them, for money and profits. Such a shame, once they are gone, there will be No getting them back. They are priceless. We deserve better from our leadership, before all is lost, that is beautiful.
Hang this fucking bitch!!
A hundred years later and they are still trying to get around this law! I wrote my representative today to protect this law.
Keep the bill in tact… it was made for a very good reason… I’m tired of government and big business trying to make things work out just for them
Protection for the birds is needed.
Please don’t let industries destroy our bird. We NEED them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Birds are so pretty and have such beautiful
songs. We need them to drop sees, to cheer us up, and so our children and grandchildren will have the pleasure of seeing
such amazing creatures in the sky.
It is so sad what this administration is doing to quickly destroy rather than protect our wildlife. Totally inhumane!
i have noticed that Britain and america have systematically been culling animals and killing species of for 30 years. what i find unreal is the fact people are not bothered and do nothing. we are not humane or civilised as people put us, we are the animals.
Planet Earth will cease to exist without birds.
Our wildlife including birds should not be killed for corporate profit. Nor should wars be fought to destroy countries, their people, their culture. Instead of leaving behind polluted, toxic and barren landscapes here and worldwide, how about going out in the real world and making a living doing something positive for our country. Lawmakers in D.C., if you don’t care about the people you govern, how about caring for your own children and the world you leave behind for them.
This has to stop we are losing all our beautiful animals
This is what humans do they think they have the right to kill with impunity! The sad fact is that humans who say they believe in helping animals or pretend outrage at what’s happening are wanna be’s! They think because they sign some petitions or post on pictures they have done their part! They will not come out to help or protest what’s happening! Trust me I know I have been fighting this war for 50 years 37 of them as a vet, and I have yet to see any sign of these humans! How sad that is!
Why?kill these gorgeous birds. That is a sin against God.
NZ is trying it’s hardest to save it’s birds. Why can’t other countries try? We have learnt from our mistakes that killing is not the way to go and it’s also not the only option. There are many different ways you can do things but killing to get what you want is not right especially in this situation.
Sure, NZ is killing all its possums in order to save the birds but there are possums in Australia which are pretty much of the same breed. The birds we are desperately trying to save are the ones native to our country.
We have taken down so many of our trees that the animals and birds cannot live there any more. Although human populations are rising and we need to think innovativly, we also need to think about the animals who share this planet with us because without them we are nothing.
All animals great and small are important to our survival ! We must not let them down !
That’s right! Each animal plays it’s own part and every part they play is extremely important.
Sometimes I feel like animals will survive on their own perfectly fine without humans …
Stop this
THESE EVIL PEOPLE DONT CARE ABOUT BIRDS OR THE ENVIROMENTS ITS ALL ABOUT MONEY, THEY ARE SELFISH UNFEELING MORONS WHO WILL DESTROY FOR THE SAKE OF MONEY, DONT LET THE H.R.4239 BE SIGNED AND KEEP MBTA TO PROTECT ALL BIRDS.
I saw this quote somewhere and it went something like this: “Once the last tree is cut down, once the last fish is poisoned and once the last something* is dead (?) will we realise that we cannot eat money”.
This is what happens when Republicans are in office. 100% of their bills are made to appease Big Oil, Big Corps and Big Everything. Trump, at Big Oils bidding is trying to remove all endangered animal protections. Why? So Big Oil can drill baby, drill. Anywhere they want to.
I am totally opposed to this amendment, it must not be passed
These lawmakers are less than barbaric idiots. My question is why, we are not in the 15th century anymore when the unenlightened killed and ate them. The eyes of the world are watching you.
Once its gone its gone forever. We really do need to take moderate sensible steps to save the other species that share the planet with us.
The current administration is gutting bills that have protected species that are endangered or on the verge of extinction. Look to man for the folly of destroying the planet and its other sentient beings.
Not just man, Carol. One man in particular. Have you noticed all the protections for animals are being removed since the advent of this new US president? His only concern for animals is to make it easier to hunt them. He must go!
The lawmakers are Republicans and, as Republicans they are utterly mad. They are very self-centered and are only concerned about how to increase their profit even at the cost of harmless little birds, insects and other harmless creatures. No one but the American voters who chose to pick the Republicans to look after their constituencies, must be blamed. Matters have become worse after they chose an imbecile called Donald Trump to be their President. Not the cats but the Republic are making the birds extinct.
Why no petition for this..wouldnt it have more of an impact than hoping people will contact their state reps? *I don’t why I ask questions..no one replies unfortunately.
Rachael– I linked to an Audubon petition here in one of those paragraph—
https://act.audubon.org/onlineactions/X2eSSqGMfEuGvIpUrOZ7mQ2?ms=policy-adv-web-website_nas-engagementcard-20171109_mbta_alert
I will check with our editor regarding your idea too!
Thank you, Mike. Not only have I signed the petition, but I made a call/sent a message to my Rethuglican representative (who I am sure will vote in favor of this murderous bill).
Thanks for the link, Mike! I also posted to FB.
All animals should be protected. No ifs buts. Period. Elected officials should grow balls and say no to corporate prioritisation.
Do not gut that bill. It has served birds well over the years. Leave well enough alone. You have many other things to occupy your minds with. ????????????
Why are we in the kill mode??????? I’m sick of this cowardly way we act now!! This “just kill everything now attitude is just sick” it hurts to be a human now days!!!!
Agree with Lisa: They don’t care what animal they kill whether it be birds, fish, or any land walking creature if it can walk on 4 legs or 2 it can be killed for the sake of the almighty dollar. Such a cowards way out, trying to find another way is too much trouble. Just look at the bee situation it’s everything their destroying sickening, disgusted with the people who run the country.
and people will continue to blame cats for killing every single bird. forget windows and loss of habitat and pesticides.. the cats do it all.
Well said sm, not much I can do from the land down under, however this should never be allowed to happen in any country, first, second or third world. Birds are wonderful creatures. My cat has never seen the outdoors for 12yrs, except to go to the Vets.
Exactly! Humans will always cause more death/destruction than ALL other species combined; Because human beings are shit and like to blame other species for various things. So instead of some people blaming cats .. they need to start blaming their own kind!!!
I belong to the Audobon Society and feed (TNR) feral cats and build insulated cat houses for those that cannot be socialized. The argument that they kill all the songbirds is laughable if it wasn’t so sad that herbicides, pesticides, and loss of habitat are the real killers of birds. Cats are carnivores, but my ferals and the colonies that spring up mostly because people have a tendency to throw dogs and cats away like garbage.
Are those lawmakers out of their minds?
Yes they are!
Yes, it has gotten so that each day I read items in the news that I find myself re-reading because they are so far-fetched that I just can’t process them. These things can’t really be happening, can they? But they are… Heaven help us all. On the one hand my mind tells me to stop reading this stuff evacuate it is so upsetting. (I am a chronic migraine sufferer & the news does not help my stress level.) But on the other hand, my responsible side tells me that I must read and react, write my representatives, etc. or else I am not part of the solution. I still feel helpless.