Pending Legislation

H.R. 839 , To prohibit the implementation of a Land Protection Plan for Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge
H.R. 1809 , Great Lakes Fishery Research Reauthorization Act
H.R. 2293 , To require the Secretary of the Interior to reissue certain regulations relating to the taking of double-crested cormorants at aquaculture facilities
H.R. 2316 , Wetlands Conservation and Access Improvement Act of 2025

Statement for the Record
Department of the Interior

House Committee on Natural Resources
Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife, and Fisheries

Legislative Hearing on 
H.R. 2316, Wetlands Conservation and Access Improvement Act of 2025; 
H.R. 2293, Cormorant Relief Act of 2025; 
H.R. 839, To prohibit the implementation of a Land Protection Plan 
for Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge;
H.R. 1809, Great Lakes Fishery Research Reauthorization Act

April 8, 2025

Chair Hageman, Ranking Member Hoyle, and members of the Subcommittee, the Department of the Interior is pleased to provide this statement for the record on the following legislation: H.R. 2316, Wetlands Conservation and Access Improvement Act of 2025; H.R. 2293, Cormorant Relief Act of 2025; H.R. 839, To prohibit the implementation of a Land Protection Plan for Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge; and H.R. 1809, Great Lakes Fishery Research Reauthorization Act.

H.R. 2316, Wetlands Conservation and Access Improvement Act of 2025

The Department supports the intent of H.R. 2316.  H.R. 2316 would reauthorize, through 2033, an amendment to the Pittman-Robertson Act (16 USC § 669b) that authorizes the revenue earned on interest-bearing investments from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (Service) Wildlife Restoration Account to be made available to carry out the provisions of the Migratory Bird Conservation Act (MBCA). The interest earned on these financial accounts is mandatory funding used by the Service to support habitat and migratory bird conservation as directed by the MBCA, including activities carried out by the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission (MBCC). The MBCC, which includes the Secretary of the Interior and four members of Congress, is responsible for reviewing and approving grants for the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA). NAWCA is the primary recipient of the interest earned from the Wildlife Restoration Account.  However, the MBCC also has the ability to approve land acquisition projects with the interest generated from this account.  The Department is concerned about the continued growth of the federal estate and would welcome the opportunity to work with the sponsor to address the important goals of H.R. 2316 while considering alternative ways to manage any acquired lands.

H.R. 2293, Cormorant Relief Act of 2025

H.R. 2293 addresses depredation, damage or loss caused by double-crested cormorants. Cormorants are fish-eating birds distributed across a large portion of North America that are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Cormorants can cause agricultural loss and property damage, for example by preying on fish raised by humans in aquaculture operations. Currently, affected entities have the option of managing these impacts through the use of depredation permits and non-lethal methods that do not require a permit.

The Service’s depredation permits authorize the take of migratory birds like cormorants for damage or loss. Non-lethal methods, such as active hazing, passive dissuasion, changes in operational practices, and habitat modification, can be effective at reducing damage and loss without a permit. These methods can reduce or eliminate the underlying causes of depredation, by making it less attractive for birds, minimizing both the damage caused and the need for lethal take. When necessary, lethal take can also be authorized under a depredation permit. 

In 2020, after extensive coordination with stakeholders, the Service established a Special Double-Crested Cormorant permit to aid in cormorant management in conjunction with depredation permits. The Special Double-Crested Cormorant permit authorizes a state or Tribal fish and wildlife agency to take double-crested cormorants to relieve depredation on fish, other protected wildlife, property, and human health and safety on state and tribal lands. Currently, the States of Arkansas, Georgia, Michigan, New York, North Dakota, and Vermont hold special permits, along with Tribal agencies for the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe and the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe. 

In addition to depredation permits, the Service also previously had a depredation order for double-crested cormorants causing damage to aquaculture operations. The Aquaculture Depredation Order went into effect in 1998 and authorized those involved in aquaculture to take depredating double-crested cormorants at aquaculture facilities without obtaining a permit. This depredation order was vacated by a court decision in May 2016 that also remanded the Service’s 2014 Environmental Assessment.

H.R. 2293 would direct the Secretary of the Interior to reissue a rule implementing the depredation order for double-crested cormorants in 50 CFR §21.47 as in effect on January 1, 2016, with amendments to the original depredation order. One amendment would expand the states eligible to participate in the depredation order. A second amendment would apply the depredation order to lake and pond managers in the same manner as other aquaculture producers. The Service would welcome the opportunity to work with the Subcommittee and sponsor on technical changes to the bill to improve and modernize implementation of the depredation order reinstated by this legislation. The Department supports H.R. 2293.

H.R. 839, To prohibit the implementation of a Land Protection Plan for Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge

H.R. 839 would prohibit the Secretary of the Interior from finalizing, implementing, administering, or enforcing the Service’s February 2023 Final Land Protection Plan (LPP) and Environmental Assessment for Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge (Muleshoe NWR). The Final LPP was announced by the Biden Administration in April 2024 and purported to support the misguided America the Beautiful initiative. It authorized the Service to purchase up to 700,000 acres of wildlife habitat in the Texas-New Mexico High Plains, an extraordinary 1,000% expansion. Under the Final LPP, acquisitions would occur within a 7-million-acre acquisition boundary for Muleshoe NWR and be managed as part of the refuge. 

As the oldest national wildlife refuge in Texas, Muleshoe NWR is an integral part of the local community. The Service values the ongoing relationships with local stakeholders, and we recognize and take seriously the concerns raised by the bill’s sponsor. On his first day in office, President Trump took decisive action to rescind harmful executive orders and actions, including Executive Order 14008, Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad, which created the 30x30 initiative. In line with the Department’s commitment to collaborating with local communities, the Service will not acquire easements or land in the sponsor’s district. The Service would welcome the opportunity to work with the sponsor to address the important goals of H.R. 839.

H.R. 1809, Great Lakes Fishery Research Reauthorization Act

H.R. 1809 would reauthorize the Great Lakes Fishery Research program within the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). First authorized in FY 2020 through FY 2025, this program provides scientific monitoring, assessments, and research in support of fisheries within the Great Lakes basin between the United States and Canada. The bill extends the authorization an additional five years through FY 2030 and maintains the current authorization of appropriations for these activities at $15 million per year.

The USGS provides natural resource managers with essential information and tools to protect and restore the Great Lakes Basin ecosystems, which support a multibillion-dollar fishery. Through the Great Lakes Fishery Research program, the USGS has initiated and codeveloped science and research plans to inform restoration efforts for historically, socially, and economically significant species of fishes native to the Great Lakes. This includes designing and implementing surveys of prey fish recruitment; developing technologies and strategies (including the use of autonomous surface and underwater drones) on all five of the Great Lakes for fish population estimation and management; and supporting protection and restoration of imperiled native species by providing science to state, federal, and Tribal managers in both the U.S. and Canada.  The Administration will further review this bill to fully understand its impact.

Conclusion
Our natural resources are national assets, which are for the benefit and use of the American people. The Department looks forward to working with the sponsors and Subcommittee on the legislation to advance the Administration’s priorities.