Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act and New York Environmental Conservation Law protect nearly all native birds, nests, and eggs in Nassau County; permits are required to remove active nests of protected species even from private property.
Almost every native bird in Nassau County is protected by the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act and New York Environmental Conservation Law section 11-0535. This includes songbirds, woodpeckers, raptors, herons, and shorebirds along Long Island's coastline. Removing active nests, eggs, or chicks without a state and federal permit is illegal even when the nest is in a building soffit or chimney. Nuisance issues are addressed by licensed wildlife control operators or NYSDEC Region 1. Houses sparrows, European starlings, and pigeons are not protected and may be removed. Endangered piping plovers nest on Nassau ocean beaches with strict seasonal closures.
Federal MBTA fines up to fifteen thousand dollars per violation; state ECL violations carry penalties up to two hundred fifty dollars and possible criminal charges.
Nassau County, NY
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Nassau County, NY
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Nassau County, NY
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Nassau County, NY
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Nassau County, NY
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Nassau County, NY
Nassau County imposes a hotel and motel occupancy tax of approximately five percent on top of New York State's four percent sales tax, producing a combined r...
See how Nassau County's bird protection rules stack up against other locations.
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