** Interior restores migratory bird protections
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Thursday, September 30, 2021
Sandhill cranes at the Cosumnes River Preserve, a critical stop on the Pacific Flyway for migrating and wintering waterfowl | B ([link removed]) ob Wick, Bureau of Land Management ([link removed])

Yesterday, the Biden administration finalized a rule reversing a Trump administration interpretation of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act ([link removed]) (MBTA) that lowered penalties for killing birds. The Trump administration's previous interpretation eliminated legal penalties for commercial activities that unintentionally killed birds ([link removed]) via activities like construction or oil drilling. As of 2017, industry was responsible for killing between 453,000 and 1.14 million birds annually ([link removed]) , according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Biden's rule reversal restored federal protections that had been in place for a century.

Previous analysis found that oil and gas companies derived the most benefit from the Trump rule ([link removed]) : industry operations accounted for 90% of cases prosecuted under the law, with fines of $6,500 per violation, with two especially disastrous oil spills accounting for 97% of the fines.

The new rule came on the same day that the Fish and Wildlife Service declared 23 species officially extinct ([link removed]) , part of a global biodiversity crisis that has only continued to get worse in recent years. “But this moment, as sobering as it is, can serve as a wake-up call. Our children and grandchildren will not know the Earth as we do unless we change the status quo,” said ([link removed]) Interior Secretary Deb Haaland. The Biden administration has established a bold goal of protecting 30% of America by 2030 in order to help prevent the nature and climate crises; however, it has thus far taken little action towards reaching that goal.

In response to the new rule, Aaron Weiss of the Center for Western Priorities urged the Biden administration to halt extensive oil and gas lease sales planned for next month, saying ([link removed]) , “It’s wonderful to move quickly to enforce the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. On the other hand, how many migratory birds are going to die from the effects of pollution when they are about to auction off the rights to a billion barrels of oil?”
Quick hits


** USDA pledges billions for climate-smart farm projects, resilience
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E&E News ([link removed]) | Fort Collins Coloradoan ([link removed])


** Interior seeks input on conservation atlas
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E&E News ([link removed])


** Opinions: Too much talk, too little action from the Interior Dept. on conservation, reforms, protection of sacred land
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Colorado Sun ([link removed]) | Denver Post ([link removed])


** Wildfire burn scars threaten drinking water in the West
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Kaiser Health News ([link removed])


** Colorado doubles down on protecting big game animals in new report
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Denver Post ([link removed]) | KDVR ([link removed])


** Will controversial Book Cliffs Highway proposal increase tourism or boost oil and gas production?
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Salt Lake Tribune ([link removed])


** Drought expected to persist in much of the Western US for 2022 and beyond as reservoir levels head for being unable to generate hydropower
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ABC News ([link removed]) | The Land Desk ([link removed])


** Opinion: A modern Civilian Conservation Corps would support the climate, the economy, and equity
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Morning Consult ([link removed])
Quote of the day
The recreation industry is a major economic driver and employer in New Mexico that continues to grow at a time when we need new jobs most. We need strong oil and gas rules to reduce both air and climate pollution so that future generations can continue to enjoy the hiking, biking, swimming, climbing, skiing, and rafting that make living here so special and unique."

—Cody and Ryan Dudgeon, owners of Desert River Guides in New Mexico, S ([link removed]) anta Fe New Mexican ([link removed])
Picture this


** @ ([link removed]) KatmaiNPS ([link removed])
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The fierce and gutsy 128 Grazer grabbed the glory to gain victory in round 1 of #FatBearWeek ([link removed]) . While 151 Walker, more orb than bear, blinded the competition with the breadth of his booty. Make sure to vote in tomorrow’s 2 matches at [link removed] ([link removed]) (8 - 5 AKT, 12 - 9 ET).

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