PREDATORY BIRDS – States findings of the Legislature and supports curtailment of the pelican population.
Summary
SJM115 is a joint memorial in which the Idaho Legislature asks the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to reduce, or allow reduction of, the pelican population in Idaho. The memorial states that pelicans were added to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1913 and argues that their population has grown to the point of overpopulation, with negative effects on wetland refuge ecosystems and Idaho’s fish populations.
The measure specifically cites impacts on the Henry’s Fork River through Harriman State Park and other waterways, and says the increase in pelicans has harmed fishermen in Idaho and beyond. Because it is a memorial rather than a bill changing Idaho law, it does not create new state regulatory authority or amend any Idaho statutes; instead, it expresses the Legislature’s position and requests federal action.
Impact
SJM115 does not directly change Idaho statutes, agency duties, or appropriations. Its legal effect is limited to a formal legislative request to the federal government, urging the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to curtail pelican numbers under federal wildlife management authority. The fiscal note states there is no impact on Idaho’s general fund, and the practical impact would depend entirely on whether federal wildlife officials act on the memorial’s request.
Sentiment
The available context suggests the measure is supported by sponsors and framed as a wildlife and fisheries management issue. The bill caption and statement of purpose reflect a strong concern about pelican overpopulation and its effects on fish habitat and fishing. There is no recorded committee transcript or vote history in the provided materials, so there is no evidence here of organized opposition or divided sentiment, only the memorial’s pro-curtailment stance.
Contention
The main point of contention is the underlying wildlife-management question: whether pelican populations are truly overabundant and harmful enough to justify curtailment, versus whether pelicans should remain protected under federal migratory bird law. Supporters emphasize impacts on Idaho fish stocks, wetland ecosystems, and anglers, while any likely opposition would center on bird conservation, federal protection of migratory species, and the appropriateness of targeting pelicans as predators. Because no committee discussion or vote record is provided, the specific arguments of opponents are not documented in the supplied materials.
States findings of the Legislature and supports the 2024 Stipulated Mitigation Plan between water users and revising the State Water Plan to establish an Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer recharge goal.