[Congressional Bills 105th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 4754 Introduced in House (IH)]

  2d Session
                                H. R. 4754

To direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a 12-month study of 
the effects of double-crested cormorants on commercial and recreational 
  fish species, and to require the Secretary to prepare a long-term, 
    comprehensive population management strategy for double-crested 
                              cormorants.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            October 8, 1998

 Mr. Thompson (for himself, Mr. Dickey, Mr. Stupak, Mr. Pickering, and 
Mr. Callahan) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
                         Committee on Resources

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
To direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a 12-month study of 
the effects of double-crested cormorants on commercial and recreational 
  fish species, and to require the Secretary to prepare a long-term, 
    comprehensive population management strategy for double-crested 
                              cormorants.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT STUDY AND MANAGEMENT STRATEGY.

    (a) Study and Report.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 18 months after the date of 
        the enactment of this section, the Secretary of the Interior 
        shall--
                    (A) study over a 12-month period of current and 
                projected effects of double-crested cormorants on 
                commercial and recreational fish species in the United 
                States; and
                    (B) submit a report on the findings and conclusions 
                of that study to the Committee on Resources of the 
                House of Representatives and the Committee on 
                Environment and Public Works of the Senate.
            (2) Contents.--The report shall include a review of the 
        current state of scientific knowledge on this subject and 
        identify gaps in that knowledge that need to be filled in order 
        to develop a long-term strategy to address any impacts of 
        double-crested cormorants on commercial and recreational fish 
        species in the United States.
    (b) Long-Term, Comprehensive Management Strategy for Double-Crested 
Cormorants.--
            (1) Requirement.--The Secretary of the Interior, using 
        amounts made available to carry out this subsection and after 
        completion of the study under subsection (a), shall prepare a 
        long-term, comprehensive population management strategy for 
        double-crested cormorants in the United States.
            (2) Participation by states.--The Secretary shall seek the 
        participation of State fish and wildlife management agencies 
        and State environmental agencies in the preparation of the 
        strategy.
            (3) Other participation and consultation.--In preparing the 
        strategy, the Secretary shall--
                    (A) provide an opportunity for public comment on 
                the draft report;
                    (B) consult with the Secretary of Agriculture;
                    (C) invite appropriate officials of the Government 
                of Canada to participate;
                    (D) seek the participation of State fish and 
                wildlife management agencies, State environmental 
                agencies, and other interested parties and members of 
                the public; and
                    (E) consider the comments received before preparing 
                the final strategy.
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