Falen: The Government’s Word, Should We Trust it?

Americans trust the U.S. government less and less. In fact, according to the Edelman Trust Barometer, trust in the federal government hovers around 40%. Yet, with the revocation of the Trump Administration’s rule that prohibits prosecution for accidentally harming migratory birds under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA), the Biden Administration is asking citizens to do just that, “trust” the federal government.

People involved in industries such as energy or agriculture have a clear understanding of how environmental legislation, originally passed with the best intention, has been weaponized to negatively affect their livelihoods. One of the lesser known, but just as dangerous environmental swords is the MBTA. While it is easy to see that energy industries, such as oil and gas, wind or even solar would be impacted by the Biden decision, this Act has the potential for very serious impacts on the agriculture industry.

The MBTA is a statute that allows for the criminal prosecution of any person who “incidentally takes” a migratory bird. To understand the breath of this Act, there are two important concepts. First, nearly all birds in the U.S. are considered migratory. Second, what constitutes an “incidental take.” The MBTA states that “it [is] unlawful at any time, … to pursue, hunt, take, capture, kill, … any migratory bird…” 16 U.S.C. § 703(a). If you read that language, it would make sense that this Act is referring to someone who intends to kill a migratory bird. That commonsense reading is what the Trump MBTA rule enforced…only those engaged in an action that purposefully “takes” a migratory bird would be subject to fines and prison time. This is not how the Biden Administration reads that language.

According to the Biden Administration, even if a person is doing something that accidentally harms a migratory bird, that person can still be criminally liable. Thus, someone can be prosecuted for an action or inaction that is otherwise legal, but just so happens to “take” a migratory bird.

We should all be concerned about the Biden Administration allowing “incidental take” to be prosecuted because there is no limit on what can be prosecuted. This means that if a farmer uses a pesticide that is legally administered and a migratory bird just so happens to ingest that pesticide, he could be subject to criminal prosecution. The MBTA allows for up to a $5,000 fine or six months in prison for an incidental take.

The scenarios under which a person can accidentally kill a migratory bird are infinite and can be ridiculous. Yet, the government expects us to believe that they will only prosecute “foreseeable” accidental killings of migratory birds. It is foreseeable that a bird can ingest a legally administered pesticide. Are farmers now risking prison time for growing the food that feeds America and the world?

By Sarah Falen

Budd-Falen Law Offices, LLC