Responsible Cormorant Management and Control Act of 2026

• State and Tribal agencies, plus trained lake and pond managers, could be authorized to carry out or oversee permitted take actions under each regional framework. These frameworks would list who may act and which methods and time periods are allowed.
• Scientists and conservation managers would get regular data and rules designed to keep each breeding population at biologically sustainable levels. The bill requires population surveys not later than 5 years after enactment and every 5 years after that.
• Fisheries, habitat managers, and the public would see required annual, publicly available reports of total take and measures to avoid non-target birds. The plan must consider effects on fisheries, sensitive vegetation, other migratory birds, water quality, human health, and endangered species, and include non-lethal best practices.

*No fiscal estimate is provided in the sources.*