Speaking for Scientific Ornithology

The Ornithological Council's purposes are to:

• Link the scientific community with public and private decision-makers
• Provide timely information about birds to help ensure scientifically-based decisions, policies, and management actions
• Inform ornithologists of proposals and actions that affect birds or the study of birds
• Speak for scientific ornithology on public policy issues

We need your help to accomplish our mission.  This webpage will:

• Alert you to proposed legislation and regulations that will affect birds or ornithological research
• Give you an opportunity to provide scientific information relevant to these matters
• Carry full text of the comments the Ornithological Council has submitted on various matters
• Provide news of the outcomes of these issues

Pending matters

These are matters for which information is still being sought.  Note DEADLINES.  (Address requests for additional information or comments to Ellen Paul, Executive Director, at ellen.paul@verizon.net , or call (301) 986-8568.  Materials can be sent by fax to (301) 986-5205 or by mail to 8722 Preston Place, Chevy Chase, MD 20815 USA).

BE SURE TO LOOK FOR ITEMS APPEARING IN RED

OCNET-L is another source of information about legislative and regulatory developments pertaining to birds and ornithology. More information

    Migratory Bird Permits

• USFWS decides against consolidation of migratory bird permit operations in one central office  More ... (Most recent update April 2005)
  

• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposes increases in permit fees More ... (most recent update April 2005)

• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service issues "vison statement" for permits program and launches new permits website More ... (Most recent update June 2004)

• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announces plan to issue "general conservation permits"  More ... (most recent update June 2004)

• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposes new permit for bird rehabilitation activities   More ...(posted 3 June 2002)

• Happenings at the Bird Banding Lab June 2004 More ... (most recent update October  2004)
  

• Update on U.S bird banding permit policy More ... (Most recent update June 2004)

• USDA APHIS considering definition of word "distress" in Animal Welfare Act regulations More ... (Most recent update October 2004)
  
  
• Proposed clarification of the term "field study" in the Animal Welfare Act regulations More .... (posted 09 February 2000)

• National Institutes of Health proposes open access policy (most recent updated October 2004)


• White House Office of Management and Budget issues final peer review guidelines More...(most recent update June 2004)
  

• White House Office of Management and Budget, federal agencies issue data quality guidelines More ...(most recent update June 2004)
  

• Freedom of Information Act now applies to all federally-funded research More ... (most recent update June 2004)
  

• Final federal research misconduct policy announced More ... (most recent update 9 December 2000)
  

BIRD CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT

• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service issues draft strategic plan for migratory birds More ... (most recent update June 2004)

• All about Mute Swans and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act  More ... (most recent update June 2004)
  

• Clinton signs Executive Order detailing obligations of federal agencies to comply with bird conservation laws More... (Most recent update October 2004)
  


• Supreme Court invalidates Clean Water Act "migratory bird rule" More... (Most recent update June 2004)

• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service issues final environmental impact statement and nationwide management plan for Double-crested Cormorant More... 

• Whatever happened to Teaming with Wildlife and CARA?   More... (most recent update October 2004)

• National Park Service issues Natural Resources Action Plan More... (posted 12 August 1999)

• President Clinton signs Executive Order to establish interagency task force to address problem of invasive, exotic species More... (updated 16 November 2000)