Responsible Cormorant Management and Control Act of 2026

This Act may be cited as the “Responsible Cormorant Management and Control Act of 2026”.

(a) In general.— Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this section, the Secretary, in coordination with the applicable Regional Flyway Council, shall develop a regional management framework for the take of double-crested cormorants for each region covered by a Regional Flyway Council based on existing information.

(b) Requirements.— Each regional management framework developed under subsection (a) shall—

(1) ensure the breeding population of double-crested cormorants is maintained at a sustainable level—

(A) in accordance with the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. 703 et seq.); and

(B) beginning with the first update required by subsection (e), as informed by the most recent survey carried out under subsection (d);

(2) include, with respect to double-crested cormorants—

(A) allowed methods of take; and

(B) allowed time periods of take;

(3) identify entities that may take double-crested cormorants, which shall include—

(A) State and Tribal agencies; and

(B) entities licensed or otherwise authorized in a manner the Secretary determines appropriate, which shall include—

(i) State licensed or otherwise authorized hunters;

(ii) lake managers; and

(iii) 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 (c); and

(5) account for the effects of an overabundant population of double-crested cormorants 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).

(c) Incorporation of National Wildlife Refuge System.— In developing each regional management framework under subsection (a), the Secretary, in cooperation with the heads of State and Tribal game and fish agencies and the applicable Regional Flyway Council, shall identify appropriate management actions that can be taken within units of the National Wildlife Refuge System to meet 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.

(d) Population surveys.— Not later than 5 years after the date of the enactment of this section 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.

(e) Updates.—

(1) In general.— Not later than 5 years after the date of the enactment of this section and every 5 years thereafter, the Secretary, in coordination with the applicable Regional Flyway Council, shall review and update each regional management framework developed under subsection (a).

(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 (d).

(f) Definitions.— In this section:

(1) Double-crested cormorant.— The term double-crested cormorant means the species Nannopterum auritum.

(2) 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.

(3) 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).

(4) 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.

(5) Migratory bird.— The term migratory bird has the meaning given the term migratory birds in section 11 of the Migratory Bird Conservation Act (16 U.S.C. 715j).

(6) 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.

(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).