Date: 8/3/26 2:38 pm From: Rick Hollis <xiboia...> Subject: [ia-bird] More bad news from FEDs
The US Fish and Wildlife Service is poised to remove the Drain Tile Setback
rules that protect the wetlands in the Prairie Pothole Region of the
western United States. This region produces 50-75% of North America’s
ducks. Drain tiles are perforated pipes that drain wetlands. Under
current rules, *lands under easements with the USFWS* must keep them a safe
distance from wetlands under easement. Each plan is individualized to
accommodate each landowner.
If the Setback rule is eliminated, the Prairie Pothole region could lose
20-50% of its duck breeding capacity. This will have a big impact on our
duck populations.
Please join MOS in defending this rule. You can register your concern by
signing this Ducks Unlimited Petition
<https://ducks.quorum.us/campaign/duckfactory/?_hsmi=430361988>.
If you have a few minutes, please comment directly on the USFWS Comment Page
<https://www.regulations.gov/commenton/FWS-HQ-NWRS-2026-2641-0001>. A few
lines expressing your concern is all that is needed. Personalized comments
are highly effective!
*The Deadline is August 7, so please act quickly.*
