Protection Acts

I thought I would start this blog off by better defining the laws pertinent to feather repositories: the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act of 1940 and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918.

First off, the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act was originally designed to provide legal protection for the national bird of the United States, the Bald eagle. Twenty two years after the Eagle Act passed, the Golden Eagle was added to the act’s protection. While the law has been amended numerous times, the Eagle Act currently prohibits anyone from taking, possessing, purchasing, selling, and transporting any bald or golden eagle dead or alive as well as their eggs, nests, feathers, and talons. It also makes disturbing the birds a federal offence.

The Migratory Bird Treaty Act has a similar structure. It was enacted in 1918 as one of the United States’ first environmental laws in order to protect the migratory birds that were becoming threatened. It makes the hunt, capture, kill or sell of birds classified as migratory illegal. Like the Eagle Act, it includes dead and alive birds, feathers, eggs, talons, and nests. There are over 800 birds on the Migratory Act list.

Both acts have one exception: acquire a permit from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services. If caught breaking the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, prepare to face a maximum fine of $5,000 and one year’s imprisonment. Second Offence? Prepare for a $10,000 fine and two years in prison.

CG