The Interior Department has removed the bald eagle from the list of threatened and endangered species but Native Americans still need a permit to obtain eagle feathers and parts.
The bald eagle and the golden eagle remain protected by two federal laws. The Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act prohibit the killing, possession, sale or transport of the two birds.
The U.S. Forest Service has a process for Native Americans to obtain eagle feathers and parts. But it can take up to four years to receive a complete golden eagle, the most sought after bird.
A Northern Arapaho man from Wyoming won a court decision that said the permitting process infringed on Native religious rights. The Bush administration is appealing the case.
Get the Story:Eagle feather laws still in place (The Tahlequah Daily Press 7/17) Eagle Feather Court Decision:
US v. Friday (October 16, 2006) Relevant Links:
Division of Bald Eagle Management - http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/baldeagle.htm
National Eagle Repository - http://www.r6.fws.gov/law/le65.html Related Stories:
DOI removes bald eagle from endangered list (06/29)
Comment sought on Native use of migratory birds (6/28)
Arizona tribes threaten suit over eagle delisting (5/11)
Appeal filed in Northern Arapaho eagle case (03/28)
Appeal planned in Arapaho eagle shooting case (01/29)
Editorial: Respect tribal religious beliefs (11/16)
DOJ to appeal ruling in Arapaho eagle killing case (11/13)
Judge issues ruling in Arapaho eagle killing case (10/17)
Charges dismissed in Northern Arapaho eagle killing (10/9)
Prairie Island donates $500K to national eagle center (08/22)
Arizona man charged for having eagle feathers (07/26)
Arapaho man seeks dismissal of eagle shooting case (05/26)
More than 4,000 waiting for eagles, eagle parts (5/24)
Northern Arapaho Tribe argues for religious rights (5/23)
Federal agent goes undercover at powwow in Texas (03/31)
Eagle feather headdress turned over for investigation (03/02)
Bald eagle faces removal from endangered species list (02/14)
Eagle feather repository has just five employees (12/09)
Iowa Tribe receives $250K grant for eagle center (09/16)
Non-Indian eagle feather case returns to federal court (07/19)
Rosebud Sioux Tribe seeks probe into feather use (08/02)
DOI to pay Apache man $50K for seized feathers (04/12)
Eagle feather ruling leaves open questions (08/06)
Appeals court upholds eagle protection laws (1/17)
Man denies crime for selling artifacts (11/16)
Indian man convicted of eagle violations (10/29)
Court to rehear eagle protection cases (8/9)
Minn. man sentenced for eagle violation (5/31)
Man pleads guilty to selling artifacts (11/2)
Undercover sting nets sacred artifacts (10/02)
Govt works to protect artifacts (6/29)
Yahoo! removes auction (6/22)
Culture for Sale: Sitting Bull (6/20)
Culture for Sale: eBay (5/23)
