Cormorant Relief Act of 2025
Sponsored By: Representative Ezell, Mike [R-MS-4]
Passed House
Summary
Would reissue the federal depredation order for double‑crested cormorants at aquaculture facilities. It would extend that authority to 12 named States and any other States the Secretary designates, explicitly cover licensed lake and pond managers, modernize terminology and recordkeeping, simplify compliance steps, and remove the order's 2014 expiration so it can be renewed periodically.
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- Aquaculture businesses and fish farmers: Would be able to operate under the original depredation order's terms in the listed States, giving continued ability to take double‑crested cormorants at aquaculture sites and removing the prior June 30, 2014 expiration.
- Lake managers and pond managers: Would be covered like aquaculture operators if they are licensed by a State regulatory agency, letting private lake and pond managers use the order's authorities.
- Department of the Interior and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: Would be required to reissue the original order largely unchanged, update language and recordkeeping, simplify Federal compliance references, and renew the order at least once every 5 years.
- Environmental law obligations: Would explicitly preserve the Secretary's requirement to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Cormorant control returns for fish farms and ponds
If enacted, Interior would reissue the old order to control double‑crested cormorants at fish farms. It would apply in CA, CO, CT, IL, IN, IA, MI, MO, NJ, OH, PA, and WI, and the Secretary could add more States or territories. The order would also cover state‑licensed lake and pond managers for private waters. The agency would update wording, simplify compliance with other federal laws, and modernize recordkeeping. The 2014 expiration date would be removed, and the order would be renewed at least every 5 years. Nothing in the bill would waive reviews under NEPA or duties under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. A person must be licensed by a State to count as a lake or pond manager.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Ezell, Mike [R-MS-4]
MS • R
Cosponsors
Rep. Guest, Michael [R-MS-3]
MS • R
Sponsored 3/24/2025
Thompson (MS)
MS • D
Sponsored 3/24/2025
Kelly (MS)
MS • R
Sponsored 3/24/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov