BILL NUMBER:S4112

TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to
making monk (Quaker) parakeets protected birds

PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

This bill would protect Monk (Quaker) parakeets, enabling nest sites
to not be disturbed intentionally without permit should the nest site
be a matter of imminent threat to public safety.

SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

An amendment is made-to paragraph A of subdivision 5 of section
11-0103 of the Environmental conservation Law, as amended by chapter
47 of the laws of 1976, to read that Monk (Quaker) parakeets are to be
protected in New York state.

JUSTIFICATION:

Currently, wild Quaker parakeets (a/k/a Monk Parakeets, species
Myiopsitta monachus), are unprotected in New York state. As these
highly intelligent birds have resided in the New York city area for
some forty years, it is requested that they be placed in "protected"
              

status by amending the New York state Environmental Conservation Laws.
protected status allows for the removal of nest sites through the
issuance of permits.

Quaker parakeets are not harmful to the environment, have not
displaced and been a threat to any native species, and have not been
proven to cause damage to any public utilities. Although they are
considered pests by some because of the nature of their nest building,
they are often trapped and euthanized as pests by exterminators.

In addition, since some of these wild birds may have been adopted as
pets and are thus domesticated, they shall be excluded as an illegal
species within their household.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

2013-2014: S. 1932 - Referred to Environmental Conservation.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

None.

EFFECTIVE DATE:

Shall take effect immediately.