Updating the federal cormorant management plan is still a year away but recent meetings between federal and state officials indicate they agree on increasing the depredation order.
House Republican Leader Kevin Elsenheimer used a trip to Washington, D.C. earlier this year regarding the state’s auto industry to also talk to U.S. Fish and Wildlife officials about cormorants, including presenting photos and local testimony about the birds. In May, Elsenheimer and Department of Natural Resources Director Rebecca Humphries sat down to discuss the cormorant issue, as well as other topics.
“Talking directly to the people in charge is always the best avenue when possible, whether you are in D.C., Lansing or on Beaver Island,” Elsenheimer said. “Working on the cormorant situation together with Director Humphries, legislative colleagues, and sportsmen and women, we will be able to present Michigan’s case to the feds for increasing the depredation numbers when they begin reviewing options for their next program order.”
Currently, the federal program allows the removal of 10,500 birds a year. Initial discussions have indicated a willingness to at least double that number, which Elsenheimer said is a good starting point for now.
Director Humphries thanked Representative Elsenheimer for being a consistent voice on cormorant control for Michigan.
“We are glad that so many in the Michigan Legislature are supporting our efforts to increase effective control of the double-crested cormorant and push for a regional management solution to the challenges they present,” Humphries said.
The Michigan House this year already sent resolutions to Congress and federal agencies calling for attention to cormorant overpopulation in the state.
While in Washington, Elsenheimer also discussed the Michigan Department of Natural Resources’ efforts for cormorant control and gathered contact information for sharing proactive initiatives or scientific information that could be provided to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Division to assist local communities in better controlling cormorants.
“Northern Michigan’s cormorant issue seems to be starting to get traction in Washington, so there’s at least a beginning that’s good news for residents,” Elsenheimer said. “Now we need to keep their attention and continue building a case over the next year for a larger depredation order when they actually issue it in 2010.”
Elsenheimer also applauded today’s passage of Senate Resolution 54, sponsored by Sen. Jason Allen, which requests that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service extend indefinitely the depredation order for double-crested cormorants.
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