Senate bill would remove cyanide traps from all federal public lands

What does this do?

S 2179, called Canyon's Law, would prohibit the use of M-44 devices — spring-loaded ground traps that shoot cyanide gas into an animal's mouth — on federal public lands. Any devices already in place on land managed by agencies such as the National Park Service, Forest Service, or Bureau of Land Management would have to be removed within 30 days. The ban would not apply to private land.

Who does it affect?

Federal land management agencies would no longer be permitted to use or authorize M-44 devices for predator control on public land. Ranchers and farmers who depend on government wildlife control programs to protect livestock from coyotes, foxes, and wild dogs would lose access to this tool on federal land.

Why does it matter?

The bill's findings state that M-44 devices kill their intended target only about half the time. At least 42 people have been accidentally exposed to cyanide from these devices since 1984, and the devices have also killed or harmed bald eagles, wolves, bears, pet dogs, and other non-target animals.

Where does it stand?