Oregon Public Broadcasting

The federal government Wednesday removed brown pelicans from the endangered species list. 

Nowadays, the migratory seabird is a common sight along the Oregon and Washington coasts between June and October. 

Interior Secretary Ken Salazar says the pelican was declared endangered in the early 1970's.

Ken Salazar: "The major reason was simple. Like the bald eagle and the peregrine falcon, pelican populations were decimated by the pesticide DDT.  It has taken 36 years, the banning of DDT, and a lot of work by the U.S. government, the states, conservation organizations, dedicated citizens and partners.  But today we can say, the brown pelican is back."

Brown pelicans remain on the Oregon and Washington state endangered species lists. 

The state fish and wildlife departments would have to make a separate determination to change local protections.