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After federal rollback, Virginia offers new protections for HRBT seabirds

Gov. Northam announced that officials will create a new nesting habitat for the birds by preparing an artificial island adjacent to the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel.

RICHMOND, Va. — Virginia officials are announcing plans to create a new habitat for about 25,000 seabirds that lost their nesting site when it was paved over by crews working on a state tunnel expansion project. 

Democratic Gov. Ralph Northam's office said Friday that officials will create a new nesting habitat for the birds by preparing an artificial island adjacent to the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel and take other steps to protect migratory birds. 

Northam's administration said the state was acting because of the Trump administration's new interpretation of a federal law that removes some protections for more than 1,000 migratory bird species.

RELATED: VDOT: HRBT expansion project cost 25K birds their nesting site

RELATED: Small businesses hope to get in on Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel expansion project

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