SERVICE RELEASES DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT ON DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT MANAGEMENT

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today released a draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for public review that will guide development of a nationwide management strategy for double-crested cormorants. The EIS analyzes various options for managing rapidly growing cormorant populations to reduce conflicts with recreational anglers, commercial aquaculture and other human activites.

"The double-crested cormorant was given Federal protection during serious population declines in the 1970s. Today, we face a different problem as we seek to achieve sustainable populations and reduce conflicts with human activities," said Tom Melius, the Service