Bill > HR2293

This bill requires the Secretary of the Interior to reissue a specific regulation (called a "depredation order") that allows aquaculture facility operators to take action against double-crested cormorants, which can cause significant damage to fish farms. The reissued order will expand the geographic scope to include 12 specific states and potentially other states, and will apply to lake and pond managers. The bill mandates that the new order use modern terminology, simplify compliance requirements, update recordkeeping standards, and remove the previous expiration date of June 30, 2014. The Secretary must renew the order at least every five years. Importantly, the bill explicitly does not waive compliance with existing environmental protection laws like the National Environmental Policy Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. The bill defines key terms such as "lake manager" and "pond manager" as individuals licensed by state regulatory agencies to manage private lakes and ponds, and clarifies that the "Secretary" refers to the Secretary of the Interior acting through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/2293/all-info