Steeper fines for harming eagles

Posted 8/21/12

HARRISBURG, PA — State Sen. Lisa M. Boscola introduced a bill on September 2 that would increase the state fine as penalty for killing a bald or golden eagle.

“While past conservation and …

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Steeper fines for harming eagles

Posted

HARRISBURG, PA — State Sen. Lisa M. Boscola introduced a bill on September 2 that would increase the state fine as penalty for killing a bald or golden eagle.

“While past conservation and protection laws have helped bring eagles back from the brink of extinction, it is time to update the penalties to better reflect the continuing importance of these birds as America’s revered national symbol,” Boscola said.

Boscola said the eagle was the focus of one of the greatest conservation efforts of America’s history. Congress passed a law to protect bald eagles in 1940 and golden eagles in 1962. Previously, their population was threatened into near extinction by poaching, hunting, pesticide use, habitat destruction and other dangers throughout the early 20th century.

Boscola’s bill, Senate Bill 979, would hike the state fine from $200 to $2,500 for each instance of someone killing an eagle. This fine per bird would be designated toward replacement costs. The Federal Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act would continue to apply. She noted that both the Democratic and Republican chairs of the state Senate Game and Fisheries Committee have co-sponsored her legislation.

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