“The Fish and Wildlife Service today proposed a new permit system that could effectively streamline the killing of voracious double-crested cormorants.
A federal judge vacated the orders in 2016 after concluding FWS did not sufficiently consider the effects of the depredation orders on cormorant populations and other resources and failed to consider a reasonable range of alternatives (Greenwire, May 26, 2016).
With the judge’s decision in the challenge brought by Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, FWS reverted back to the issuance of individual depredation permits.
The new proposal will be open for a 45-day public comment period, following publication tomorrow in the Federal Register. Debate could get lively.”
