Interior Department Takes Steps to Revoke Final Rule on Migratory Bird Treaty Act Incidental Take

Today, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced a proposed rule to revoke the January 7, 2021, final regulation that limited the scope of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA). Significant concerns about the interpretation of the MBTA have been raised by the public, legal challenges in court and from the international treaty partners.

News Release

Service Proposes Increased Public Access to Hunting, Fishing on Refuges

Continuing the Department of the Interior’s efforts to increase recreational access on public lands, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed new or expanded hunting and sport fishing opportunities for game species across 2.1 million acres at 90 national wildlife refuges and on the lands of one national fish hatchery. These proposed changes include five refuges in the Pacific Northwest, including Camas, Kootenai, Malheur, William L. Finley and Julia Butler Hansen.

News release

What is the Big 6 uses of refuges?

Service Extends Effective Date for Northern Spotted Owl Critical Habitat Rule

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is delaying the effective date of the January 15, 2021, final critical habitat rule for the northern spotted owl until December 15, 2021. This delay is necessary to avoid placing undue risk on the conservation of the northern spotted owl, caused by allowing exclusions from its designated critical habitat to go into effect, while the Service prepares a revision or withdrawal of the January 15, 2021 rule.

News Release