Friday, June 12, 2015

Fwd: Urgent Alert to Protect Migratory Birds

From: Steve Holmer <sholmer@abcbirds.org>
To: abcorgs <abcorgs@npogroups.org>
Sent: Fri, Jun 12, 2015 10:03 am
Subject: Urgent Alert to Protect Migratory Birds


Urgent Alert to Protect Migratory Birds
 
One of the oldest environmental laws in our country, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA), is coming under attack by Members of Congress. The House of Representatives has passed a provision in the Fiscal Year 2016 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (CJS) appropriations bill that would bar the Department of Justice from enforcing the MBTA - essentially declaring that it's open season on birds!  A similar amendment may be brought up in the Senate.
 
Please take this opportunity to reach out to your Senators using the following link: support.abcbirds.org/ProtectMBTA
 
Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge, Photo by FWS.
The MBTA is the primary piece of legislation in the United States established to protect over 1,000 species of migratory birds and makes it illegal to harm these birds except under very specific circumstances. 
The Senate version of the CJS bill has passed out of the full Senate Appropriations Committee without any amendments that would prohibit the Department of Justice from enforcing the MBTA.  The Senate FY 2016 CJS bill now proceeds to the floor for full consideration by the Senate sometime in the near future. There is a chance a companion to Rep. Duncan's amendment will be offered.
Please write to your Senators using the following link: support.abcbirds.org/ProtectMBTA
 
Urge your Senator to vote NO on any amendments threatening migratory birds that may come up when this bill is called to the floor.
 
Please feel free to share the link widely. Calls into your Senator's offices urging them to VOTE NO on any proposed amendments that would weaken the MBTA on the FY 2016 CJS Appropriations bill would be very helpful as well.
 
For more information please contact Anne Law, Director of Government Relations, 202-234-7181, alaw@abcbirds.org.
 
 
 
To be removed from the list, send any message to:
 
 
 
Steve Holmer
Senior Policy Advisor
American Bird Conservancy &
Director, Bird Conservation Alliance
202-888-7490
 
 
 
 
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