** Trump admin guts protections for migratory birds
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Wednesday, January 6, 2021
Cosumnes River Preserve, California: Trumpet and Dance of the Sandhill Crane | Bob Wick, Bureau of Land Management ([link removed])

Yesterday, on National Bird Day, the Trump administration gutted protections for migratory birds ([link removed]) . The final rule ([link removed]) weakens enforcement of the 1918 Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) so that companies will not be penalized for accidentally or incidentally harming or killing birds ([link removed]) , such as through oil spills, toxic waste, or other environmental hazards. The decision is a major farewell favor to the fossil fuel industry ([link removed]) , which has long pushed for the change.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) has acknowledged that the rule change would have a negative impact ([link removed]) on species protected by the MBTA, and former federal officials and scientists have said that billions of additional birds are likely to die as a result ([link removed]) . The FWS environmental impact statement was clear that following a change in the rule, "Fewer entities would likely implement best practices...resulting in increased bird mortality."

Interior has previously considered actions that directly and foreseeably resulted in death of a migratory bird as potential criminal conduct, even if unintentional. ([link removed]) Accidental bird deaths have rarely been prosecuted under the law, although with notable exceptions. Following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010 the MBTA caused over $100 million in fines ([link removed]) to be assessed, which were used to protect or restore wetland habitat for migratory birds.

The final rule is set to be officially released tomorrow. It is likely that Biden's nominee for Interior Secretary, Deb Haaland, would overturn the rule ([link removed]) , making her rapid Senate confirmation even more urgent.


** Trump administration to auction off leases in Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
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Today the Trump administration will move forward with auctioning off ([link removed]) parts of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil and gas companies. The area to be leased is critical habitat for polar bears, a species under threat from the rapidly warming Arctic. The lease sale comes after a federal judge denied a request to block the Trump administration from issuing the leases ([link removed]) . Many have already called on President-elect Biden to halt any and all oil leasing and development in the refuge ([link removed]) following his inauguration.
Quick hits


** Former Interior official discussed employment with oil company while deciding fate of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, creating a clear conflict of interest
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Politico ([link removed])


** Trump to approve land swap for Arizona mining project that could destroy cultural and religious sites
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Reuters ([link removed]) | E&E News ([link removed])


** Colorado coal-fired power plant to close ahead of schedule; meanwhile, Montana gets its largest wind farm by shrinking a coal plant
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Associated Press (CO) ([link removed]) | Denver Post (CO) ([link removed]) | Denver Business Journal (CO) ([link removed]) | Billings Gazette (MT ([link removed]) ) | Electrek (MT) ([link removed])


** Oil's terrible, no good, very bad year wasn't just caused by the pandemic
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National Public Radio ([link removed])


** Opinion: Scholars on moving from rhetoric to reality and achieving climate justice
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The Hill ([link removed])


** Trump's border wall has destroyed indigenous sacred sites for good
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Vice ([link removed])


** Prescribed burns announced in California to counter climate change-fueled wildfires
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Desert Sun ([link removed])


** “Outdoor Business Town USA”: Colorado town has become a proving ground for outdoor recreation entrepreneurship
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Colorado Sun ([link removed])
Quote of the day
Secretary Bernhardt’s former oil industry clients have explicitly asked for this policy change, and now he is delivering, just days before returning to the private sector. By finalizing this proposal, the Trump administration is signing the death warrants of millions of birds across the country.”

—Jennifer Rokala, Center for Western Priorities' Executive Director ([link removed])
Picture this


** @audubonsociety ([link removed])
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#NationalBirdDay ([link removed]) is finally here—are you ruddy for it?

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