Environmental Law

Migratory Bird Treat Act Conviction

By Walter James

My apologies . . . work has goten in the way of blogging . . ..

On January 3, 2007, the United States Department of Justice announced that Lyle Ravenkamp of Hugo, Colorado, pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor violation of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, in connection with his misapplication of the chemical insecticide carbofuran to a 95-acre sunflower

field in Lincoln County, Colorado, in June 2006.

Ravenkamp admitted that he applied the compound on the surface of the field, instead of below the surface, as he knew it was intended to be used.  As a result, more than 2,200 migratory birds, including Mourning Doves, Horned Larks, Western Meadowlarks, Red-winged Blackbirds, and Common Grackles, died after ingesting the carbofuran, which is known to be highly toxic to birds.

Pursuant to the plea agreement, Ravenkamp was sentenced to pay the maximum fine of $15,000.00, make additional restitution of $15,000.00 to the Colorado Wildlife Heritage Fund, and relinquish his pesticide applicator's license.  Ravenkamp was also placed on probation for three years, during which he must perform community service in the form of specific wildlife habitat improvements to two parcels of property Ravenkamp owns in Lincoln County.

More later.

As always, feel free to contact me at walter.james@jamespllc.com.

WDJiii

Full post as published by Environmental Crimes Blog on January 04, 2008 (boomark / email).