Environmental Assessment: Reducing Double-Crested Cormorant Damage Through an Integrated Wildlife Damage Management Program in the State of Alabama

摘要

The United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services (USDA, APHIS, WS) proposes to implement a double-crested cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus) damage management program in the State of Alabama, including the implementation of the Public Resource Depredation Order (PRDO) (50 CFR 21.48) and winter roost control as specified in the Aquaculture Depredation Order (AQDO) (50 CFR 21.47). An Integrated Wildlife Damage Management (IWDM) approach would be implemented to reduce cormorant damage and conflicts to aquaculture, property, natural resources, and human health and safety. Damage management would be conducted on public and private property, natural resources, and human health and safety. Damage managementwould be conducted on public and private property in Alabama when the resource owner (property owner) or manager requests WS assistance. An IWDM strategy would be recommended and used, encompassing the use of practical and effective methods of preventing or reducing damage while minimizing harmful effects of damage management measures on humans, target and non-target species, and the environment. Under this action, WS could provide technical assistance and direct operational damage management, including non-lethal and lethal management methods by applying the WS Decision Model.