Amy Hanson, reporter, Helena, Montana, and Matthew Brown, correspondent, Billings, conducted extensive research and reporting on the high stakes of a near-final Trump administration plan to scrap criminal enforcement of the century-old Migratory Bird Treaty Act, which former top wildlife officials fear will devastate American bird populations already in extreme decline. A former director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service warned that without criminal penalties billions of wild birds could be killed in coming decades. The piece, well-illustrated with staff and member photos, received wide play. https://bit.ly/3e3Tp2T
Ex-wildlife chief: Trump rule could kill billions of birds
A flock of geese fly past a smokestack at a coal power plant near Emmitt, Kan., Jan. 10, 2009. The Trump administration is moving to scale back criminal enforcement of a century-old law protecting most American wild bird species, while the former director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service tells AP that billions of birds could die if the government doesn't hold companies liable for accidental bird deaths.
AP Photo / Charlie Riedel