** Trump administration moves to decriminalize accidental bird killing
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Friday, January 31, 2020
Migratory birds at Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ([link removed])

The Trump administration is moving forward with a regulatory change ([link removed]) to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, decreasing the liability of companies that kill birds. For decades, the law has been used to hold companies accountable for killing birds in oil spills and other environmental disasters, most notably in the Deepwater Horizon ([link removed]) explosion. The proposal released today would codify a highly controversial legal opinion ([link removed]) issued by Interior Solicitor Daniel Jorjani, a former Koch advisor, which declared the law only applies when companies intentionally kill birds. Center for Western Priorities executive director Jennifer Rokala stated
([link removed]) , "This radical interpretation of the law has already allowed oil companies to kill birds without repercussions. Now, the Trump administration wants to make sure extractive industries can continue to kill birds after they leave office."

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has said that it will rely on voluntary efforts by companies to protect birds. Last year's legal opinion is already being challenged ([link removed]) by conservation groups and states, and further legal challenges are expected on yesterday's regulatory change.
Quick hits


** Trump administration considers changing how it decides to use public land
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Washington Post ([link removed])


** Utah lawmakers hold up oil and gas budget after scathing audit
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Salt Lake Tribune ([link removed])


** White House moves to decriminalize accidentally killing birds
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New York Times ([link removed]) | Washington Post ([link removed]) | Bloomberg Environment ([link removed]) | NPR ([link removed]) | E&E News ([link removed])


** Moab council says no to oil and gas in Sand Flats
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Moab Sun News ([link removed])


** Border wall, vulnerable to flash floods, needs storm gates left open for months
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Washington Post ([link removed])


** The outdoor recreation industry has gone from spunky upstart to economic heavyweight
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Denver Post ([link removed])


** Panel expected to give committee chairman power to subpoena Interior
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E&E News ([link removed])


** Opinion: It's time we confront the climate and nature crises
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High Country News ([link removed])
Quote of the day
In his 1963 book The Quiet Crisis, my father, former Interior Secretary Stewart Udall, sounded the alarm about the creeping destruction of nature. 'Each generation has its own rendezvous with the land, for despite our fee titles and claims of ownership, we are all brief tenants on this planet,' he wrote. 'By choice, or by default, we will carve out a land legacy for our heirs.' Today would have been Stewart Udall’s 100th birthday. And 57 years after he wrote the The Quiet Crisis, it is more urgent than ever that we heed his words — and follow his example — in order to save the natural world.”
—Senator Tom Udall, High Country News ([link removed])
Picture this


** @Interior ([link removed])
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Look at those paws! Lynx are perfectly adapted for winter #Alaska ([link removed]) #wildlife ([link removed]) Learn more: [link removed] ([link removed])

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