Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that authorizes hunting of a limited number of sea lions in certain locations in order to protect salmon populations.

Highlights:

• Authorizes the Secretary to issue hunting permits to eligible entities for the removal of sea lions in the Columbia River and connecting tributaries to protect salmon, steelhead, sturgeon, and other threatened fish populations listed under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (Sec. 3).

• Specifies that said sea lion hunting permits will be effective for not more than 5 years but may be renewed by the Secretary (Sec. 3).

• Requires that the cumulative number of sea lions hunted each year under said permits shall not exceed 10 percent of the annual potential biological removal level (Sec. 3).

• Defines “eligible entity” as the state of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and local native Indian tribes that reside in those areas around the Columbia River and surrounding tributaries (Sec. 3).

• Defines “secretary” as the Secretary of the Interior (Sec. 5).

• Requires the Secretary to submit a report to Congress no later than 180 days after the enactment of this act on the potential effects of the lethal taking and hunting of sea lions on salmon stocks recovery and other threatened fish populations in the Columbia River and surrounding tributaries (Sec. 5).

Full Bill Text

Full Bill Text