To improve migratory bird management by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service of the Department of Agriculture, and for other purposes.

September 12 (legislative day, SEPTEMBER 11), 2001

Mr. ROSS (for himself, Mr. BERRY, Mr. PICKERING, Mr. SHOWS, and Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

To improve migratory bird management by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service of the Department of Agriculture, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. MIGRATORY BIRD MANAGEMENT BY THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

(a) EXEMPTION FROM NEPA- Migratory bird management activities carried out by the Secretary of Agriculture shall be exempt from the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.).

(b) ACTIONS UNDER THE MIGRATORY BIRD TREATY ACT- An agent, officer, or employee of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service of the Department of Agriculture that carries out any activity relating to migratory bird management may take the following actions under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. 703 et seq.):

(1) Issue depredation permits to stakeholders or cooperators of the Service.

(2) Manage and take migratory birds.

END