Today, the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries held an oversight hearing on the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA). Subcommittee Chair Harriet Hageman (R-Wyo.) issued the following statement in response:

“House Republicans are reclaiming Congress’s role in reviewing broad environmental statutes enforced by the administrative state. The MBTA is another prime example of a law passed with good intentions reaping real-world consequences. Congress must reexamine the MBTA to ensure the protection of migratory birds without unleashing damaging species on American industries.”  

Background

House Committee on Natural Resources Republicans have prioritized reviewing and modernizing major permitting and environmental statutes, including the MBTA.

Although migratory birds are critical to sustaining functioning ecosystems and economies, the unchecked population growth of certain species is harming hardworking Americans. For example, species like black vultures and double-crested cormorants inflict millions of dollars in damage to agriculture and aquaculture producers, many of whom are small businesses. The laws intended to conserve these animal populations must be updated to alleviate the harm caused by the species.

The mechanisms for take under the MBTA must be improved to account for migratory birds' impacts on other species, including threatened and endangered species. The MBTA regulatory framework for incidental take has whiplashed between successive administrations and conflicting federal court rulings, creating significant uncertainty for American businesses, including electric utilities, which increases electricity prices and promotes wildfire risk. 

For more information on the hearing, click here.