The U.S. Department of the Interior has reinstated a controversial interpretation of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) that removes protections for birds killed accidentally by industrial activities. The April 11 decision marks a significant shift in how one of America’s oldest wildlife protection laws will be enforced. Under the reinstated policy, companies will no longer face penalties when their operations unintentionally kill birds, as long as harming birds wasn’t their primary goal. This includes bird deaths from oil spills, power lines, wind turbines, and communication towers. “This opinion is a setback for wild birds that are cherished by millions … Continue reading Migratory Bird Treaty Act Rollback Ends Penalties for 1 Billion Industrial Bird Deaths Yearly