Today, the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries held a legislative hearing on responsible management of double-crested cormorants, the importation of legal sport hunt trophies, and developing critical water resources infrastructure in South Dakota. Subcommittee Chair Harriet Hageman (R-Wyo.) issued the following statement in response:

“The Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries is working on solutions to eliminate red tape and proactively develop and maintain critical water infrastructure. In our hearing this week we focused on adopting the tools necessary for proper management of our National Wildlife Refuge System, bringing common sense to the Marine Mammal Protection Act, finding ways to meet our long-term water needs and dealing with threats to our fisheries. House Republicans are committed to working for a prosperous future while protecting our environment.”

Background

H.R. 6251, introduced by U.S. Rep. Nick Begich (R-Alaska), amends the Marine Mammal Protection Act to allow for the importation of polar bear trophies legally taken in sport hunts in Canada before May 15, 2008, when the polar bear was determined to be a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act.

H.R. 7288, the Western South Dakota Water Supply Project Feasibility Study Act, introduced by U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.), bolsters the development of critical water infrastructure for rural communities by authorizing a feasibility study for the Western Dakota Regional Water System to evaluate water supply solutions.

H.R. 8195, the Responsible Cormorant Management and Control Act of 2026, introduced by U.S. Rep. Tim Walberg (R-Mich.), supports local fisheries by establishing regional management frameworks for overseeing the responsible taking of double-crested cormorants. These measures are intended to ensure effective, science-based management of the species.

H.R. 4219, the National Wildlife Refuge System Invasive Species Strike Team Act of 2025, introduced by U.S. Rep. Ed Case (D-Hawaii), formalizes and expands the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Invasive Species Strike Team program to address invasive species.

For more information on the hearing, click here.