Birds of a feather stick together, so those of us No Lagooners are not permitting anyone to harm the coots.

Councilman Art Tolis stated publicly at a Chamber of Commerce meeting in August that he would eliminate the problem of the birds from our lake flying into the freshwater lagoon by bringing in falcons, hawks and other predatory birds to rid them from the lagoon.

The Audubon Society of Phoenix informed us that the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, codified 16 U.S.C., Sec. 703-712, is a federal law implemented to protect migratory birds.

The mallards, coots, heron, etc. migrate to our Fountain Hills Lake every year, and therefore are protected and cannot be removed or killed. It is illegal to transport falcons, hawks and any other birds. The Audubon Society wanted to know where Mr. Tolis would obtain these birds.

The Department of Interior states that, “the penalty for transporting and possessing these birds is up to two years in jail, and/or $2,000 fine,” and they can, “arrest a person without a warrant for violating this Act.”

So far, we have alerted the FAA that our illustrious Council intends to violate federal laws with lasers shooting up into the sky, and removing flying birds in the sky. We have also notified the Department of the Interior of potential violations. What other laws does Mr. Tolis intend to violate?

And since the birds are protected, no lagoon can be erected.