SenateS. 5514119th Congress
Responsible Cormorant Management and Control Act of 2026
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[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 5514 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
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119th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 5514
To require the Secretary of the Interior to promulgate regulations for
the development of regional management frameworks for the take of
double-crested cormorants, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
September 24, 2026
Mr. Cruz (for himself and Mrs. Britt) introduced the following bill;
which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and
Public Works
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To require the Secretary of the Interior to promulgate regulations for
the development of regional management frameworks for the take of
double-crested cormorants, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Responsible Cormorant Management and
Control Act of 2026''.
SEC. 2. REGIONAL MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORKS FOR TAKE OF DOUBLE-CRESTED
CORMORANTS.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Double-crested cormorant.--The term ``double-crested
cormorant'' means the species Nannopterum auritum.
(2) Indian tribe.--The term ``Indian Tribe'' has the
meaning given the term in section 4 of the Indian Self-
Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).
(3) Lake manager.--The term ``lake manager'' means a person
that is licensed or otherwise authorized by a State regulatory
agency to manage a private lake.
(4) Migratory birds.--The term ``migratory birds'' has the
meaning given the term in section 11 of the Migratory Bird
Conservation Act (16 U.S.C. 715j).
(5) Pond manager.--The term ``pond manager'' means a person
that is licensed or otherwise authorized by a State regulatory
agency to manage a private pond.
(6) Regional flyway council.--The term ``Regional Flyway
Council'' means--
(A) the Atlantic Flyway Council;
(B) the Central Flyway Council;
(C) the Mississippi Flyway Council; and
(D) the Pacific Flyway Council.
(7) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of the Interior, acting through the Director of the United
States Fish and Wildlife Service.
(8) Take.--The term ``take'' has the meaning given the term
in section 10.12 of title 50, Code of Federal Regulations (as
in effect on the date of the enactment of this section).
(b) Regional Management Frameworks.--Not later than 1 year after
the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in coordination with
the Regional Flyway Councils and in accordance with section 3 of the
Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. 704), shall promulgate regulations
for the development of regional management frameworks for the
management of double-crested cormorants based on the best available
scientific information.
(c) Requirements.--Each regional management framework developed
pursuant to subsection (b) shall--
(1) ensure that each breeding population of double-crested
cormorants is managed at a level that is sufficient to ensure
the conservation of double-crested cormorants, and that
cumulative authorized take of double-crested cormorants does
not exceed a biologically sustainable level using the best
available scientific information--
(A) consistent with the Migratory Bird Treaty Act
(16 U.S.C. 703 et seq.) and compatible with the
applicable conventions; and
(B) as informed by the most recent population-level
survey of double-crested cormorants;
(2) include, with respect to double-crested cormorants--
(A) allowable methods of take;
(B) allowed time periods of take;
(C) required annual reporting of total take,
including target and non-target birds, which shall be
made publicly available;
(D) measures to avoid the take of non-target birds
and other species;
(E) documented conflicts at an identified location
that authorized take can feasibly resolve; and
(F) non-lethal measures that shall be implemented;
(3) identify entities that may conduct authorized take of
double-crested cormorants, which may include--
(A) State and Tribal fish and wildlife agencies;
and
(B) entities permitted, trained, or otherwise
authorized in a manner the Secretary determines
appropriate, which shall include--
(i) lake managers; and
(ii) pond managers;
(4) provide for--
(A) States and Indian Tribes to take specific
management actions with respect to double-crested
cormorants in accordance with the regional management
framework; and
(B) the implementation of management actions
identified under subsection (d);
(5) consider the documented effects of double-crested
cormorants within the applicable region on--
(A) fisheries;
(B) sensitive vegetation;
(C) populations of other migratory birds;
(D) human health and safety;
(E) water quality; and
(F) species listed as threatened species or
endangered species under section 4 of the Endangered
Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1533);
(6) include a long-term plan for identifying and monitoring
the effects of the regional management framework on the effects
identified under paragraph (5);
(7) consider the effects of take authorized under the
regional management framework on non-target birds, species that
are listed as birds of conservation concern pursuant to the
Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act of 1980 (16 U.S.C. 2901 et
seq.), and species listed as threatened species or endangered
species under section 4 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973
(16 U.S.C. 1533); and
(8) develop best practices for additional measures,
including--
(A) non-lethal deterrents;
(B) exclusion and habitat modifications;
(C) habitat restoration; and
(D) other non-lethal methods to rebuild or
stabilize the populations of fauna and flora that have
suffered detrimental effects because of double-crested
cormorants.
(d) Incorporation of National Wildlife Refuge System.--In
developing each regional management framework pursuant to subsection
(b), the Secretary, in cooperation with the heads of State and Tribal
game and fish agencies and the applicable Regional Flyway Council,
shall make recommendations that can be taken within units of the
National Wildlife Refuge System that are in compliance with the
National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 (16 U.S.C.
668dd et seq.) and meet the management objectives of States, Indian
Tribes, the Regional Flyway Councils, and such units with respect to
double-crested cormorants while fulfilling the primary purposes of such
units.
(e) Population Surveys.--Not later than 5 years after the date of
enactment of this Act, and every 5 years thereafter, the Secretary, in
coordination with the Regional Flyway Councils, shall carry out a
survey of the population of double-crested cormorants.
(f) Updates.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 5 years after the date of
enactment of this Act, and every 5 years thereafter, the
Secretary, in coordination with the applicable Regional Flyway
Council, shall review and update each regional management
framework developed pursuant to subsection (b).
(2) Incorporation of population surveys.--In reviewing and
updating a regional management framework under paragraph (1),
the Secretary shall incorporate the results of the most recent
survey carried out under subsection (e).
(g) Report.--Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Environment
and Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on Natural Resources
of the House of Representatives a report relating to the feasibility of
issuing licenses to hunt double-crested cormorants to meet the
requirements of the regional management frameworks developed pursuant
to subsection (b).
(h) Sunset.--This Act shall cease to have force or effect on
January 1, 2034.
(i) Regulations.--The Secretary may promulgate such regulations to
carry out this Act as the Secretary determines necessary and
appropriate.
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