Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 241.
The Cormorant Relief Act of 2025 directs the Secretary of the Interior to reissue the original depredation order for double-crested cormorants at aquaculture facilities (the version in 50 C.F.R. §21.47 as of January 1, 2016) with specified updates. The reissued order must expand geographic and user coverage (listed States plus any others the Secretary deems appropriate, and add lake and pond managers), modernize terminology and recordkeeping, simplify compliance text, and remove the prior June 30, 2014 expiration date.
Progressives emphasize wildlife protection; conservatives emphasize aquaculture relief
Relative to its intended legislative type, this bill specifies a targeted substantive regulatory change by directing the Department of the Interior to reissue a defined depredation order with enumerated modifications and a 5‑year renewal requirement.
The Cormorant Relief Act of 2025 directs the Secretary of the Interior to reissue the original depredation order for double-crested cormorants at aquaculture facilities (the version in 50 C.F.R. §21.47 as of January 1, 2016) with specified updates.
The reissued order must expand geographic and user coverage (listed States plus any others the Secretary deems appropriate, and add lake and pond managers), modernize terminology and recordkeeping, simplify compliance text, and remove the prior June 30, 2014 expiration date.
The Secretary must renew the order at least every five years, and the Act does not waive requirements under NEPA or the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
Narrow, low‑cost administrative directive improves chances, but controversy over lethal take of migratory birds and Senate obstacles lower certainty.
Relative to its intended legislative type, this bill specifies a targeted substantive regulatory change by directing the Department of the Interior to reissue a defined depredation order with enumerated modifications and a 5‑year renewal requirement. It clearly identifies the regulatory text to be reissued and the responsible official, but leaves numerous substantive choices to agency discretion without procedural deadlines, funding provisions, or detailed standards.
Progressives emphasize wildlife protection; conservatives emphasize aquaculture relief
These are examples from the analysis, not a ranked list of the most-affected groups.
Progressives emphasize wildlife protection; conservatives emphasize aquaculture relief
Likely skeptical or opposed because the bill explicitly reauthorizes lethal take authority for a native migratory bird and expands allowable takers.
The retained NEPA and Migratory Bird Treaty Act obligations reduce legal risks, but expansion to more states and inclusion of private lake/pond managers raises conservation and animal welfare concerns.
Cautiously receptive: the bill modernizes and clarifies regulatory authority for aquaculture while keeping statutory environmental review requirements.
Concerns would center on ensuring adequate oversight, transparent recordkeeping, and that harms to migratory bird populations are monitored.
Generally supportive because the bill reinstates and broadens managers' ability to address fish losses from cormorants, reduces regulatory uncertainty, and modernizes the rule.
The retention of federal environmental obligations is unlikely to undercut the primary goal of providing operational flexibility to aquaculture interests.
Reached or meaningfully advanced
Reached or meaningfully advanced
Still ahead
Still ahead
Still ahead
Narrow, low‑cost administrative directive improves chances, but controversy over lethal take of migratory birds and Senate obstacles lower certainty.
The bill has not accumulated any surfaced votes yet.
Progressives emphasize wildlife protection; conservatives emphasize aquaculture relief
Narrow, low‑cost administrative directive improves chances, but controversy over lethal take of migratory birds and Senate obstacles lower…
Relative to its intended legislative type, this bill specifies a targeted substantive regulatory change by directing the Department of the Interior to reissue a defined depredation order with enumerated modifications an…
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