U.S. Code |
Title |
Intent |
Fine/Penalty |
| 16 U.S.C. 688-668C | Eagle Protection Act 1940 | Prohibits import, export, taking of bald and golden eagles. | Civil: $5,000. Criminal: $100,000/one year, $250,000/two years (second offense) |
| 16 U.S.C. 703-712 | Migratory Bird Treaty Act 1918 | Prohibits hunting, taking, possession, etc., of migratory birds. | Criminal: $25,000/six months, $250,000/two years (felony sale) |
| 16 U.S.C. 718 | Migratory Bird hunting, and Conservation Stamp Act 1934 | Requires hunting stamps prior to taking migratory waterfowl. | Criminal: $25.000/six months |
| 18 U.S.C. 42; 16 U.S.C. 3371-3378 | Lacey Act 1981 | Ensures humane treatment for wildlife shipped to U.S. Controls smuggling/trade in illegally taken fish and wildlife. | Civil: $10,000 Criminal: $100,000/one year $250,000/five years (felony sale/purchase) |
| 16 U.S.C. 1361-1407 | Marine Mammal Protection Act 1972 | Moratorium on taking and importation of marine mammals. Defines federal responsibility for conservation of marine mammals. | Civil: $10,000 Ciminal: $100,000/one year |
| 16 U.S.C. 742j-1 | The Airborne Hunting Act 1956 | Prohibits taking wildlife from aircraft except when protecting wildlife, livestock, or human health. | Criminal: $100,000/one year. Allows forfeiture of guns, aircraft, and equipment. |
| 16 U.S.C. 668dd-668ee | National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act 1966 | Guidelines and directives for mangement of wildlife refuges and areas for protection of fish, wildlife, etc. | Criminal: $100,000/one year |
| 16 U.S.C. 1521-1453 | Endangered Species Act 1973 | Prohibits importation, taking, etc., of fish, wildlife, and plants that are listed as threatened and endangered. Also implements the convention or international trade in endangered species of wild fauna and flora (CITES). | Civil: $25,000 Criminal: $100,000/one year (knowing violation) |
| 16 U.S.C. 721-731 | Upper Mississippi Refuge | Guidelines for the upper Mississippi National Wildlife and Fish Refuge. | Criminal: $25,000/six months. Forfeiture of fish, wildlife, guns, fishing equipment, and boats used contrary to the statute. |
| 16 U.S.C. 4901 et seq. | Wild Bird Conservation Act 1992 | Moratorium on all imports of exotic birds except for scientific research, breeding, personally owned pets. | Civil: $25,000 Criminal: 2 years |
| 7 ;U.S.C. 121-136y | Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act 1947* | Registration of pesticides; risk/benefit standard; data requirements. | Civil: $5,000 (companies and commercial), $1,000 (farmer). Criminal: $50,000/one year (companies), $25,000/one year (applicator), $1,000/30 days (farmer). |
| 33 U.S.C. 2401-2410 | Organotin Antifouling Paint Control Act 1988 | Prohibits use of antifouling paints on ships <25 meters; toxicity to shellfish. | Civil: $5,000 Criminal: $25,000/one year. |
| 16 U.S.C. 4701-4751 | Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act 1990 | Research into environmental effects of ballast; zebra mussel demonstration project; prevention and control of aquatic nuisance species. | Civil: $25,000/day Criminal: $250,000 (indiv.) or 2 x value of the loss or damage $500,000 (corp.) or 2 x the value of the loss or pecuniary gain/0-25 years |
*The first legislation regulating pesticide use was the Insecticide Act of 1910.
Authored by Fred Whitford, et al.
The above information is the property of Purdue University, reprinted from Pesticides and Wildlife, PP-30. All information on authors and disclaimers relative to the use of this information can be found at that address.