WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Department of Interior’s decision to revoke a detrimental rule change under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act means America’s birds can once again enjoy the full protection of this highly successful, century-old law. In tandem with this final rule announcement, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will also begin the process to create a common-sense approach to regulating inevitable impacts to migratory birds.

“With this decision our nation will avoid major unnecessary risks to vulnerable and declining bird populations,” said Mike Leahy, director of wildlife, hunting and fishing policy at the National Wildlife Federation. “We appreciate the Biden Administration’s steps to safeguard migratory birds and to authorize a common-sense permitting approach to manage unavoidable harms to birds. The ability for future generations to be able to see birds like little blue herons and wood thrushes eye-to-eye relies on how well we preserve and protect the invaluable species that share these lands with us.”

To further strengthen the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and its necessary and longstanding protections, the National Wildlife Federation is also urging Congress to pass the Migratory Bird Protection Act. This legislation supports a balanced authorization framework that will advance best management practices that benefit birds while expanding certainty under the law.