SERIOUS MISTAKE

PONTOON BEACH, Ill. - A pipeline company could face charges for letting a contractor cut timber in a nesting area, killing at least 30 endangered herons and egrets, a spokeswoman for the Illinois Department of Conservation said Thursday.

Members of local conservation groups claimed as many as several hundred endangered birds may have been killed in the incident, which apparently occurred Monday and Tuesday.

"This is definitely something we're not going to let pass by," said Carol Knowles, the Conservation Department spokeswoman. "It's a serious violation and serious damage was done. We do intend to take some kind of action."

Knowles said the birds are protected under the state's Endangered Species Act, which makes it a Class A misdemeanor to harm them. The law allows for maximum penalties of one year in jail and a $1,000 fine for each violation. She said charges could be filed in connection with each dead bird.

Feigenbaum said she planned to meet with the contractor and the workers who cut the timber to hear their version of what happened.