Ex-wildlife chief: Trump rule could kill billions of birds

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Associated Press


Amy Beth Hanson and Matthew Brown, Associated Press
Updated 5:03 pm CDT, Tuesday, March 31, 2020

BUTTE, Mont. (AP) — At a former open pit copper mine filled with billions of gallons of toxic water, sirens and loud pops from propane cannons echo off the granite walls to scare away birds so they don’t land.

After several thousand migrating snow geese perished in the Berkeley Pit's acidic, metal-laden waters in 2016, its owners deployed a sophisticated arsenal to frighten away flocks, including lasers, drones, fireworks and remote-controlled boats.

Montana Resources already had been hazing incoming birds with spotlights and rifle shots into the water — and a spokesman says those existing deterrents likely helped the company avoid a penalty or prosecution under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

But the Trump administration wants to end the 50-year practice of using the criminal penalties under the migratory bird law to pressure companies into taking measures like these to prevent unintentional bird deaths.

Read more: https://www.chron.com/news/crime/article/Ex-wildlife-chief-Trump-rule-could-kill-billions-15169138.php

[turbinetree]

1. This is just outrageous...........................without birds we do not have our secondary means

of pollination.................I really do hate libertarians.................

[TexasBushwhacker]

2. But wind energy is bad because it kills birds.

[Grokenstein]

7. Piles of eagles under every windmill!!

I used to wonder when someone was going to explain the difference between windmills and wind turbines to him. But then I realized no one is ever allowed to correct his ignorant ass, ever.

[pazzyanne]

3. I am crying with frustration and anger!

If we don't take care of our natural world, we are writing our (human) own obituaries. Why can't people understand this. Rachel Carlson is weeping.

[Blue Owl]

4. Donald tRump doesn't care

All that psycho sociopath cares about is his own fat ass

[scarletwoman]

5. We need to keep our eyes open - they're speeding through as much deregulation as possible, as fast

as possible.

It's one environmental assault after another. In case trump isn't re-elected.

Check out this report from tonight's PBS Newshour:

Why Trump wants to relax automotive fuel efficiency standards now

John Yang: Deregulation has been a big part of what the Trump administration and what President Trump has wanted to accomplish. Is there any sense that they're moving things forward to get it in before the election?

Juliet Eilperin: They are absolutely advancing their deregulatory agenda on this front and many others.

When I talk to some of the Trump administration officials, as well as the career folks who work with them, they are keenly aware of the fact that there is a provision called the Congressional Review Act, which allows a president and Congress to overturn regulations if they are enacted within 60 days. (my bold)

And so this was, for example, a very effective tool that Republicans used once Trump came into office to overturn some of the last rules that the Obama administration took — put in place.

The Trump officials are keenly aware if, under some scenario, they lose the White House and Democrats gain control of the Senate, while holding on to the House, some of their policies could also be overturned.

So what we're seeing right now is a real push to finalize some of their highest-priority rollbacks, so that they can stay in place even if you have a new president.

John Yang: Juliet Eilperin of The Washington Post, thank you very much.

[Elwood P Dowd]

6. Remember the movie Outlaw Josey Wales?

One of the lines was "Josey isn't hard to track. He leaves dead people everywhere he goes".

Josey Wales Trump isn't hard to track. He leaves dead animals and dead people everywhere he goes

[roamer65]

8. COVID-45 loves death.

He revels in it.

[Firestorm49]

9. He's probably going to make some money on it somehow.