June 2012
One of our Emergency Response Team employees caught private contractors red-handed in the act of removing and destroying active swallows’ nests from dryer vents at an apartment complex in her region. She knew the act was unlawful and promptly reported the incident to both state and federal officials, who initiated immediate investigations. In response, the apartment complex agreed to halt any further dryer vent cleaning until October (when nests are no longer active). The contractor was charged with violations of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, which protects most bird species, and has been forced to pay heavy fines.
