United StatesInterior Department would set rules for regional cormorant control plans
The Interior Department would issue rules for regional cormorant control plans that protect breeding birds, address local conflicts, and report birds taken.
What it does
Within one year of becoming law, the Interior Department would issue rules for regional cormorant plans. Plans must protect breeding birds, identify local conflicts they could resolve, and include nonlethal steps.
States and tribes could manage cormorants under regional plans. State-approved managers of private lakes and ponds could also be authorized; plans would require public yearly counts of all birds taken.
The Interior Department would survey cormorants and update each regional plan every five years, using the latest survey. The bill would stop having effect on January 1, 2034.
Argument forRegional plans could help states and tribes address documented cormorant conflicts while keeping actions against the birds within sustainable limits.
Argument againstLetting authorized lake and pond managers control cormorants could put other birds at risk, even though plans must include ways to protect them.
More detail
The Interior secretary would issue rules for developing regional cormorant control plans. The plans would cover double-crested cormorants in each region. Plans must protect each breeding population and keep the total number of birds taken within sustainable limits, using the best available science. Plans must identify conflicts at specific places that authorized action could resolve and include nonlethal steps. The rules would be due within one year after enactment.
Regional plans would identify who may control cormorants and require public yearly reports of birds taken. States and tribes could take action under the plans; qualifying managers of private lakes and ponds could also be authorized. Private lake and pond managers must have state approval and any permission or training the Interior secretary requires. Yearly reports must count cormorants and other birds taken. The counts would be reported each year.
The Interior secretary would survey cormorants and update each regional plan. The surveys would cover double-crested cormorants, and the reviews would cover every regional plan. Each plan update must use the latest population survey. The first surveys and plan reviews would be due within five years after enactment, with further ones every five years. The act would cease to have effect beginning January 1, 2034.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To President
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Oct 29Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-857.Latest
- Oct 29Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 754.
- Sep 15Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries Discharged
- Sep 15Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Sep 15Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by Unanimous Consent.
- Apr 16Subcommittee Hearings Held
- Apr 9Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries.
- Apr 2Introduced in House
- Apr 2Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.Introduced
Environment & EnergyAgriculture