16 U.S.C. § 668. Bald and golden eagles
(a)
Prohibited acts; criminal penalties
Whoever, within the United States or any place
subject to the jurisdiction thereof, without being permitted to do so
as provided in this subchapter, shall knowingly, or with wanton
disregard for the consequences of his act take, possess, sell,
purchase, barter, offer to sell, purchase or barter, transport, export
or import, at any time or in any manner any bald eagle commonly known
as the American eagle or any golden eagle, alive or dead, or any part,
nest, or egg thereof of the foregoing eagles, or whoever violates any
permit or regulation issued pursuant to this subchapter, shall be fined
not more than $5,000 or imprisoned not more than one year or both:
Provided, That in the case of a second or subsequent conviction for a
violation of this section committed after October 23, 1972, such person
shall be fined not more than $10,000 or imprisoned not more than two
years, or both: Provided further, That the commission of each taking or
other act prohibited by this section with respect to a bald or golden
eagle shall constitute a separate violation of this section: Provided
further, That one-half of any such fine, but not to exceed $2,500,
shall be paid to the person or persons giving information which leads
to conviction: Provided further, That nothing herein shall be construed
to prohibit possession or transportation of any bald eagle, alive or
dead, or any part, nest, or egg thereof, lawfully taken prior to June
8, 1940, and that nothing herein shall be construed to prohibit
possession or transportation of any golden eagle, alive or dead, or any
part, nest, or egg thereof, lawfully taken prior to the addition to
this subchapter of the provisions relating to preservation of the
golden eagle.
(b)
Civil penalties
Whoever, within the United States or any place
subject to the jurisdiction thereof, without being permitted to do so
as provided in this subchapter, shall take, possess, sell, purchase,
barter, offer to sell, purchase or barter, transport, export or import,
at any time or in any manner, any bald eagle, commonly known as the
American eagle, or any golden eagle, alive or dead, or any part, nest,
or egg thereof of the foregoing eagles, or whoever violates any permit
or regulation issued pursuant to this subchapter, may be assessed a
civil penalty by the Secretary of not more than $5,000 for each such
violation. Each violation shall be a separate offense. No penalty shall
be assessed unless such person is given notice and opportunity for a
hearing with respect to such violation. In determining the amount of
the penalty, the gravity of the violation, and the demonstrated good
faith of the person charged shall be considered by the Secretary. For
good cause shown, the Secretary may remit or mitigate any such penalty.
Upon any failure to pay the penalty assessed under this section, the
Secretary may request the Attorney General to institute a civil action
in a district court of the United States for any district in which such
person is found or resides or transacts business to collect the penalty
and such court shall have jurisdiction to hear and decide any such
action. In hearing any such action, the court must sustain the
Secretary’s action if supported by substantial evidence.
(c)
Cancellation of grazing agreements
The head of any Federal agency who has issued a
lease, license, permit, or other agreement authorizing the grazing of
domestic livestock on Federal lands to any person who is convicted of a
violation of this subchapter or of any permit or regulation issued
hereunder may immediately cancel each such lease, license, permit, or
other agreement. The United States shall not be liable for the payment
of any compensation, reimbursement, or damages in connection with the
cancellation of any lease, license, permit, or other agreement pursuant
to this section.
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