[Maine-birds] Re: an FYI: Changes to Migratory Bird Treaty Act

Four days ago, 17 former high-ranking officials of the USFWS and Dept of the Interior, appointed by presidents from both parties from 1971 to 2011, and confirmed by Congress sent a letter to Secty Zinke, stating, among other points 

"Your new interpretation needlessly undermines a history of great progress, undermines the effectiveness of the migratory bird treaties, and diminishes U.S. leadership."

 Here's a link to that letter and the statement from the National Wildlife Refuges Association (a not-for-profit group):

http://refugeassociation.org/2018/01/letter-on-migratory-bird-treaty-act-to-secretary-zinke-from-former-doi-officials/

--Charles Duncan

On Monday, January 15, 2018 at 12:10:05 AM UTC-5, J. Michael wrote:

On December 22, 2017, the Solicitor of the Department of the Interior issued a legal memorandum reversing the longstanding interpretation of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act to exempt industry
 — including the oil and gas industry, powerlines and wind energy — from compliance with the United States' commitment under international agreements to protect migratory birds.

https://medium.com/wild-without-end/former-doi-officials-want-zinke-to-reconsider-changes-to-mbta-8928cf4b6d97

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