Responsible Cormorant Management and Control Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Representative Tim Walberg
In Committee
Summary
This bill would require the Secretary of the Interior to create a regional management framework for the take of double‑crested cormorants. The frameworks would set sustainable population goals, define allowed methods and seasons for taking birds, identify who may take them, and require population surveys every five years.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Regular cormorant population surveys
This bill would require the Secretary, with Regional Flyway Councils, to survey double-crested cormorant populations not later than 5 years after enactment and every 5 years after. The Secretary would review and update each regional management plan on the same five-year schedule. Each plan update would have to incorporate the most recent survey results.
Regional cormorant management plans
This bill would require the Interior Secretary to make regional plans for taking double-crested cormorants within 180 days of enactment. Each plan would have to keep breeding cormorant populations at sustainable levels under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Plans would list allowed methods and time periods for take and name who may take birds, including State and Tribal agencies, State-licensed hunters, lake managers, and pond managers. Plans would let States and Tribes carry out management actions and would consider impacts on fisheries, sensitive vegetation, other migratory birds, human health and safety, water quality, and endangered species. The Secretary would also identify actions that could be used inside National Wildlife Refuges in coordination with State and Tribal partners.
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Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Tim Walberg
MI • R
Cosponsors
Mike Ezell
MS • R
Sponsored 4/14/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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