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House subcommittee examines Migratory Bird Treaty Act amid calls for regulatory certainty
Summary
A House Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries hearing reviewed the MBTA’s century‑old protections, debated whether the law should cover incidental take, and heard competing calls for flexibility to address both accelerating bird declines and localized overabundances. Witnesses described economic losses and urged targeted reforms.
The Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries convened a hearing on March 5 to review implementation of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and its effect on industries, landowners and conservation.
Chair Hagerman opened the session by recounting the MBTA’s origins in 1918 and saying the law must be reviewed to reflect modern conservation and economic realities. She told the panel she had received constituent complaints about wind projects in Wyoming and cited recent criminal fines against wind companies for golden eagle deaths as evidence the statute’s application has real economic consequences.
Ranking Member Hoyle emphasized the MBTA’s conservation legacy and warned that cuts to the National Wildlife Refuge…
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