“Former communications officials at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service called on the Interior Department’s internal watchdog to investigate “potential ethical and procedural violations” stemming from a FWS press release, Pro’s Alex Guillén reports. The Jan. 30 release in question announced a proposed rule to limit Migratory Bird Treaty Act enforcement to the intentional take of protected birds and included supportive statements from Republican officials and industry groups.
In their letter to the DOI inspector general and released by Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, the 10 retired officials called it “a bizarre and unacceptable departure from the past practices of the Interior Department under both Republican and Democratic Administrations.” They also noted that by including the section “without any contrary opinions, the agency gives the impression that it has already made its decision in favor of the proposed regulation.” Interior spokesperson Conner Swanson said the department stands by the news release.”
