[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 9776 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
118th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 9776
To provide for the conservation of wildlife corridors and habitat
connectivity, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
September 24, 2024
Mr. Beyer (for himself, Mr. Buchanan, Mr. Fitzpatrick, and Ms. Lofgren)
introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on
Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committees on Agriculture,
Transportation and Infrastructure, and Armed Services, 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
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To provide for the conservation of wildlife corridors and habitat
connectivity, 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. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Wildlife Corridors
and Habitat Connectivity Conservation Act of 2024''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as
follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Findings and purposes.
Sec. 3. Definitions.
TITLE I--SCIENCE AND MAPPING OF WILDLIFE CORRIDORS AND HABITAT
CONNECTIVITY
Sec. 101. Program establishment.
TITLE II--COLLABORATION, PARTNERSHIP, AND CONSERVATION OF AMERICAN
WILDLIFE CORRIDORS
Sec. 201. Designation of American wildlife corridors.
Sec. 202. Management of American wildlife corridors.
Sec. 203. Resource sharing and coordination.
Sec. 204. Coordinating Committee.
Sec. 205. Effect.
TITLE III--TRIBAL WILDLIFE CORRIDORS
Sec. 301. Tribal Wildlife Corridors.
TITLE IV--WILDLIFE CORRIDOR GRANT PROGRAM ON NON-FEDERAL LAND AND WATER
Sec. 401. Wildlife corridor grant program.
TITLE V-- FUNDING
Sec. 501. Authorization of appropriations.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES.
(a) Findings.--Congress finds that--
(1) the native fish, wildlife, and plant species in the
United States are part of a rich natural heritage and an
important legacy to pass on to future generations;
(2) the populations of many native fish, wildlife, and
plant species in the United States are in decline;
(3) scientists estimate that, in the United States, 34
percent of plants and 40 percent of animals are at risk of
extinction and 41 percent of ecosystems are at risk of range-
wide collapse;
(4) threats to the survival and diversity of many native
fish, wildlife, and plant species in the United States include
the loss, degradation, fragmentation, and obstruction of
natural habitats;
(5) habitat fragmentation reduces native biodiversity by up
to 75 percent and impairs key ecosystem functions;
(6) climate change threatens native fish, wildlife, and
plant species;
(7) the document published by the Intergovernmental
Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services
titled ``Global assessment report on biodiversity and ecosystem
services'' (2019) found that--
(A) 1,000,000 wildlife and plant species worldwide
are now threatened with extinction; and
(B) 75 percent of the land-based environment, and
approximately 66 percent of the marine environment,
have been significantly altered by human actions;
(8) the conservation of new and existing landscape and
seascape corridors, through which native species can transition
from 1 habitat to another, plays an important role in helping--
(A) to conserve native biodiversity; and
(B) to ensure resiliency against impacts from a
range of biotic and abiotic stressors;
(9) the conservation, restoration, and establishment of new
ecological connections to facilitate the movement of species
into more suitable habitats is a key climate change adaptation
strategy;
(10) the protection of new and existing corridors is often
1 of the first steps in restoration and recovery planning;
(11) States have recognized the importance of habitat
connectivity, including through--
(A) at least 83 pieces of State legislation passed
in 20 States since 2019, which have supported actions
including identification of wildlife corridors and
coordination of State agencies, Tribes, non-
governmental organizations, and other partners to
address habitat connectivity issues;
(B) a New England Governors and Eastern Canadian
Premiers' Conference on the importance of connectivity
for ecosystem adaptability and resilience,
biodiversity, and human communities; and
(C) a Western Governors' Association policy
resolution;
(12) the document published by the Council on Environmental
Quality titled ``Guidance for Federal Departments and Agencies
on Ecological Connectivity and Wildlife Corridors'' (March 21,
2023) acknowledges that ``connectivity is vital to ecosystem
health and functions'' and ``it is significant to humans as
well and supports the strong cultural and spiritual connections
that communities have to nature'';
(13) Federal and State agencies continue to develop
policies to address--
(A) the importance of conserving fish, wildlife,
and plant corridors;
(B) the gap between science and management for at-
risk species; and
(C) ecological connectivity; and
(14) Federal policies consistently recognize the importance
of voluntary improvement projects by private landowners to
habitat conservation and restoration for native species.
(b) Purposes.--The purposes of this Act are--
(1) to support a diverse array of fish and wildlife,
including species conserved under Federal, State, and Tribal
law, that have experienced or may experience habitat loss,
degradation, fragmentation, or obstruction to habitat
connectivity;
(2) to provide long-term habitat connectivity for fish and
wildlife migration, dispersal, genetic exchange, and adaptation
to climate and other environmental change;
(3) to restore fish and wildlife movements that have been
disrupted by habitat loss, degradation, fragmentation, or
obstruction;
(4) to facilitate coordinated landscape- and seascape-scale
connectivity planning and management across jurisdictions; and
(5) to support in prioritizing, establishing, and managing
wildlife corridors and habitat connectivity areas.
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Collaborative partnership.--The term ``collaborative
partnership'' means a collaborative partnership established
under section 203(a).
(2) Coordinating committee.--The term ``Coordinating
Committee'' means Coordinating Committee established under
section 204(a).
(3) American wildlife corridor.--The term ``American
wildlife corridor'' means a corridor designated by the
Secretary concerned under section 201(b).
(4) Habitat.--The term ``habitat'' means land, water, and
substrate necessary at any time during the life cycle of fish
and wildlife for spawning, breeding, feeding, growth to
maturity, or migration.
(5) Habitat connectivity.--The term ``habitat
connectivity'' means the degree to which the landscape
(including terrestrial, riparian, and aquatic habitats) or
seascape facilitates fish and wildlife movement.
(6) Habitat connectivity area.--The term ``habitat
connectivity area'' means an identified, distinct component of
the natural world in the United States that provides habitat
connectivity, a migration route, seasonal habitat, or a
dispersal area to a native species.
(7) Indian land.--The term ``Indian land'' means land of an
Indian Tribe, or an Indian individual, that is--
(A) held in trust by the United States; or
(B) subject to a restriction against alienation
imposed by the United States.
(8) Indian tribe.--The term ``Indian Tribe'' has the
meaning given the term in section 4 of the Indian Self-
Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).
(9) Military installation.--The term ``military
installation'' has the meaning given the term in section 100 of
the Sikes Act (16 U.S.C. 670), and includes military off-shore
range complexes and off-shore operating areas.
(10) Regional ocean partnership.--The term ``regional ocean
partnership'' means a regional organization of coastal or Great
Lakes States, territories, or possessions voluntarily convened
by Governors to address cross-jurisdictional ocean matters, or
the functional equivalent of such a regional ocean organization
designated by the Governor or Governors of a State or States.
(11) Secretary concerned.--
(A) Secretary concerned.--The term ``Secretary
concerned'' means the Secretary with applicable
jurisdiction from among the following:
(i) The Secretary of the Interior.
(ii) The Secretary of Transportation.
(iii) The Secretary of Agriculture, acting
through the Chief of the Forest Service.
(iv) The Secretary of Commerce, acting
through the Administrator of the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
(v) The Secretary of Defense.
(B) Secretaries.--The term ``Secretaries'' means
each of the Secretaries described in subparagraph (A).
(12) Tribal wildlife corridor.--The term ``Tribal wildlife
corridor'' means a corridor established by the Secretary under
section 301.
(13) United states.--The term ``United States'', when used
in a geographical sense, means--
(A) a State;
(B) the District of Columbia;
(C) the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico;
(D) Guam;
(E) American Samoa;
(F) the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana
Islands;
(G) the Federated States of Micronesia;
(H) the Republic of the Marshall Islands;
(I) the Republic of Palau;
(J) the United States Virgin Islands; and
(K) all marine waters within the jurisdiction of
the United States.
(14) Wildlife movement.--The term ``wildlife movement''
means the passage of individual members or populations of a
native fish, wildlife, or plant species across a landscape or
seascape.
TITLE I--SCIENCE AND MAPPING OF WILDLIFE CORRIDORS AND HABITAT
CONNECTIVITY
SEC. 101. PROGRAM ESTABLISHMENT.
(a) Establishment.--The Director shall establish and maintain a
habitat connectivity area mapping and science program to carry out this
section.
(b) Purpose.--The purpose of the program is to develop mapping and
science to support Federal, State, local, and Tribal governments and
the public in efforts to protect habitat connectivity areas.
(c) Wildlife Movement, Migration, and Habitat Connectivity
Mapping.--
(1) Mapping efforts.--The Director shall expand and build
upon existing agency efforts to map fish and wildlife habitat
connectivity areas. Such efforts shall include working with,
incorporating data from, and sharing data between--
(A) Federal agencies;
(B) State, Tribal, and local governments;
(C) nongovernmental organizations; and
(D) academic institutions.
(2) Use of technology.--The Director shall--
(A) use new data management, visualization, and
analysis capabilities to analyze fish and wildlife
movements and delineate habitat connectivity areas; and
(B) share these capabilities with Federal, State,
local, and Tribal wildlife managers.
(3) Distribution of maps.--The Director shall develop and
make available to the public--
(A) a database of fish and wildlife habitat
connectivity areas; and
(B) maps of habitat connectivity areas and American
wildlife corridors to guide land-use planning and on-
the-ground management of fish and wildlife resources.
(4) Report.--Not later than 2 years after the date of the
enactment of this section, the Director shall submit to the
Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives
and the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate
a report that--
(A) provides an assessment of existing maps, data,
models, surveys, and descriptions of habitat
connectivity areas that have been developed by--
(i) Federal, State, Tribal, and local fish
and wildlife agencies and natural heritage
programs;
(ii) nongovernmental organizations; and
(iii) industry; and
(B) identifies gaps in information about native
species wildlife corridors or habitat connectivity
areas.
(5) Proprietary interests and protected information.--In
carrying out this section, the Director shall--
(A) protect proprietary interests with respect to
confidential information and licensed data; and
(B) protect such information relating to the
habitats and ranges of specific native fish and
wildlife as the Director determines appropriate to
protect such fish and wildlife.
(d) Wildlife Movement, Migration, and Habitat Connectivity
Research.--The Director shall conduct research to help guide management
of habitat connectivity areas, including--
(1) a study to evaluate the impacts of climate change on
habitat connectivity areas and forecast how habitat
connectivity areas and American wildlife corridors may need to
shift to allow fish and wildlife to adapt;
(2) a study to quantify the effect of ongoing and planned
development on habitat connectivity areas and American wildlife
corridors;
(3) a study to develop new mapping methods to prioritize
critical wildlife corridors or habitat connectivity areas; and
(4) a study to evaluate the effectiveness of efforts to
address habitat fragmentation and mitigation barriers to fish
and wildlife movement and migration through habitat
connectivity areas.
(e) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Director.--The term ``Director'' means the Director of
the United States Geological Survey.
(2) Program.--The term ``program'' means the habitat
connectivity area mapping and science program established by
the Director under subsection (a).
TITLE II--COLLABORATION, PARTNERSHIP, AND CONSERVATION OF AMERICAN
WILDLIFE CORRIDORS
SEC. 201. DESIGNATION OF AMERICAN WILDLIFE CORRIDORS.
(a) Nominations.--
(1) Partner agencies nominations.--State, Tribal, and local
governments and collaborative partnerships may nominate Federal
lands and waters as American wildlife corridors.
(2) Coordinating committee nominations.--The Coordinating
Committee shall, not later than 2 years after the date on which
the Coordinating Committee is established and not less
frequently than every 5 years thereafter, nominate habitat
connectivity areas to be designated as American wildlife
corridors.
(b) Designation of American Wildlife Corridors.--
(1) In general.--The Secretaries shall review each habitat
connectivity area within the jurisdiction of the Secretaries,
giving priority to areas nominated under subsection (a), and
designate habitat connectivity areas as a American wildlife
corridors according to the criteria established under
subsection (d).
(2) Nominated areas.--With respect to any area for which
the Secretary concerned receives a nomination under subsection
(a), the Secretary concerned shall make a determination under
paragraph (1) not later than 1 year after the date on which the
Secretary concerned receives such nomination.
(c) Management of Wildlife Corridors and Habitat Connectivity
Areas.--Not later than 6 months after a designation under subsection
(b), the Secretaries shall make such land use and management plans (or
revisions of existing such plans) as the Secretaries determine
appropriate to carry out the purposes of this Act.
(d) Prioritization Criteria.--The Secretaries shall establish
criteria to determine which habitat connectivity areas to designate as
American wildlife corridors. Such criteria shall include--
(1) whether such designation is in concert with existing--
(A) Federal land and resource management plans and
the ongoing management activities for wildlife
corridors or habitat connectivity areas on Federal
lands and waters;
(B) State, Tribal, and collaborative partnership
management plans; and
(C) Tribal wildlife corridors;
(2) the use of the best available science relating to--
(A) existing fish and wildlife habitat connectivity
areas; and
(B) potential future native species habitats
connectivity areas; and
(3) whether the unit of land or water is a priority for
conservation and restoration because the area--
(A) provides habitat connectivity and supports the
persistence, resilience, adaptability, and movement of
fish and wildlife;
(B) has the potential to benefit more than 1
species of fish and wildlife; or
(C) has the potential to benefit a fish or wildlife
species that is listed as a threatened species or an
endangered species under the Endangered Species Act of
1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).
(e) Regulations.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the
enactment of this section, the Secretaries shall issue such regulations
as the Secretaries determine necessary to carry out this section.
SEC. 202. MANAGEMENT OF AMERICAN WILDLIFE CORRIDORS.
(a) In General.--The Secretaries shall manage American wildlife
corridors in a manner that contributes to the long-term persistence,
resilience, adaptability, and movement of fish and wildlife through--
(1) the maintenance, restoration, or improvement of habitat
connectivity, including establishment of clear goals and
monitoring plans;
(2) the limitation of human infrastructure, development,
and activities that impede the natural movement of fish and
wildlife;
(3) the implementation of strategies and activities that
enhance the ability of fish and wildlife to respond to changing
environmental conditions;
(4) the use of existing conservation programs managed by
the Secretary concerned to contribute to the persistence,
resilience, adaptability, and movement of fish and wildlife;
and
(5) providing education and outreach regarding the benefits
of American wildlife corridors and habitat connectivity areas.
(b) Coordinated Management.--Not later than 2 years after the date
of the enactment of this section, each of the Secretaries shall update
all relevant regulations, orders, guidance documents, policies,
instructions, manuals, directives, notices, implementing actions, and
other relevant documents and procedures to support the management and
long-term conservation of habitat connectivity areas.
(c) Land and Resource Management Plan Revision.--The Secretaries
shall, during each land use or resource plan review, amend or revise
each such plan to--
(1) conserve, restore, and manage habitat connectivity
areas;
(2) consider designating the land or water as a American
wildlife corridor under section 201(b).
(d) Multiple Jurisdictions.--The Secretaries shall carry out
conservation and restoration activities in American wildlife corridors
that are subject to the jurisdiction of more than 1 of the Secretaries
in consultation with each of the Secretaries concerned.
(e) Road Mitigation.--In the case of American wildlife corridors
that intersect, adjoin, or cross a new or existing State, Tribal, or
local road or highway, the Secretaries shall consult with State,
Tribal, and local transportation agencies, as appropriate, to identify
and implement voluntary environmental mitigation measures--
(1) to improve public safety and reduce vehicle-caused fish
and wildlife mortality while conserving or restoring habitat
connectivity; and
(2) to mitigate damage to the natural movements of fish and
wildlife through strategies including--
(A) the construction, maintenance, or replacement
of fish and wildlife underpasses, overpasses, culverts,
fences, and other mitigation measures; and
(B) the maintenance, replacement, or removal of
dams, bridges, culverts, and other hydrological
obstructions.
(f) Report to Congress.--Not later than 2 years after the date of
the enactment of this section, and not less frequently than every 5
years thereafter, the Coordinating Committee shall submit to Congress a
report regarding the efforts of the Secretaries to carry out this Act
and the effect of such efforts on the conservation and management of
habitat connectivity, seasonal habitat, wildlife movement, and
migration routes on Federal land and water, including the following
with respect to Federal land and waters:
(1) A description of existing management practices relating
to the purposes of this Act.
(2) An inventory of known wildlife movement structures and
fish passage projects.
(3) A description of short- and long-term threats to
wildlife corridors or habitat connectivity areas.
(4) A description of opportunities to conserve and improve
the quality and condition of habitat connectivity, seasonal
habitat, dispersal areas, wildlife movement, and migration
routes.
(5) A description of opportunities to coordinate State,
Tribal, and local governments and collaborative partnership
efforts to carry out this Act with other landscape-scale
conservation plans.
(6) Strategies for climate adaptation and resilience with
respect to habitat connectivity, seasonal habitat, wildlife
movement, and migration routes.
(7) A description of opportunities to expand partnerships
with State, Tribal, and local governments, collaborative
partnerships, and the public to carry out the purposes of this
Act.
(8) A description of current transportation programs,
funding mechanisms and other authorities that could be used to
conserve and improve habitat connectivity, seasonal habitat,
dispersal areas, wildlife movement, and migration routes.
SEC. 203. RESOURCE SHARING AND COORDINATION.
(a) Collaborative Partnerships.--
(1) In general.--The Secretaries may establish
collaborative partnerships with entities described in paragraph
(3) that are balanced, multistakeholder groups that are
transparent, nonexclusive, and reasonably representative of
affected interests to further the purposes of this Act that--
(A) establish agreement on--
(i) the role of Federal, State, Tribal, and
local governments agencies;
(ii) how the Secretary concerned will
coordinate efforts to conserve, restore, and
manage habitat connectivity areas; and
(B) identify regional liaisons to represent the
collective Federal agencies in working with State,
Tribal, and local governments, collaborative
partnerships, and the public to carry out such
conservation, restoration, and management; and
(2) Coordinators.--The Secretaries shall each appoint a
national-level coordinator to work with the regional liaisons
identified under paragraph (1)(B) and monitor implementation of
the efforts of collaborative partnerships.
(3) Entities described.--The entities described in this
paragraph are the following:
(A) Voluntary private landowners.
(B) Nonprofit organizations.
(C) Federal, State, Tribal, and local agencies.
(D) Elected officials.
(E) Stakeholder groups.
(b) Resource Sharing.--The Secretaries shall partner with, and
provide technical assistance and other resources to, State, Tribal, and
local governments, collaborative partnerships, and voluntary private
landowners to support the purposes of this Act.
(c) Consultation.--The Secretaries shall implement this title in
consultation with--
(1) other relevant Federal agencies through the
Coordinating Committee;
(2) State, Tribal, and local governments, including fish
and wildlife, natural resource management, and transportation
agencies;
(3) with respect to any action that directly affects a
private landowner, such private landowner;
(4) such other stakeholders as the Secretaries determine
appropriate; and
(5) landscape- and seascape-scale partnerships, including--
(A) National Fish Habitat Partnerships;
(B) the Regional Fishery Management Councils
established under section 302(a) of the Magnuson-
Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16
U.S.C. 1852(a));
(C) relevant regional ocean partnerships;
(D) the Climate Science Centers of the Department
of the Interior;
(E) Migratory Bird Joint Ventures; and
(F) the Landscape Conservation Cooperative Network.
SEC. 204. COORDINATING COMMITTEE.
(a) Coordinating Committee.--Not later than 180 days after the date
of the enactment of this section, the Secretaries shall establish a
coordinating committee composed of representatives of the Secretaries.
(b) Strategy for Prioritization.--Not later than 1 year after the
date on which the Coordinating Committee is established, the
Coordinating Committee shall develop a strategy--
(1) for nominating American wildlife corridors for
designation under section 203(a);
(2) to support the fulfillment of the purposes of this Act;
(3) to ensure coordination and consistency with Federal,
State, Tribal, and local governments and collaborative
partnerships in conserving wildlife corridors or habitat
connectivity areas;
(4) to provide education or outreach regarding the benefits
of wildlife corridors or habitat connectivity areas; and
(5) such other measures as the Coordinating Committee
determines necessary for implementation of this Act.
SEC. 205. EFFECT.
(a) Jurisdiction of States and Indian Tribes.--Nothing in this
title affects the jurisdiction of a State or an Indian Tribe with
respect to fish and wildlife management, including the regulation of
hunting, fishing, and trapping, in a American wildlife corridor or a
Tribal Wildlife Corridor.
(b) Savings Clause.--Nothing in this section authorizes--
(1) any seizure of private property through eminent domain;
or
(2) the imposition of any restriction on the use of private
land without the consent of the landowner.
(c) Defense Waivers.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary of Defense may waive any
requirement of this title with respect to a military
installation if such Secretary determines that such waiver is
necessary--
(A) to ensure the preparedness of the Armed Forces;
or
(B) to support the military mission of the military
installation.
(2) Public notice.--The Secretary of Defense shall publish
each waiver issued under paragraph (1) unless such Secretary
determines that such publication will have a negative effect on
national security.
TITLE III--TRIBAL WILDLIFE CORRIDORS
SEC. 301. TRIBAL WILDLIFE CORRIDORS.
(a) Establishment.--
(1) In general.--
(A) Nominations.--An Indian Tribe may nominate a
corridor within the jurisdiction of such Indian Tribe
as a Tribal wildlife corridor by submitting an
application to the Secretary of the Interior at such
time, in such manner, and containing such information
as such Secretary, in consultation with the Director of
the Bureau of Indian Affairs, may require.
(B) Determination.--Not later than 90 days after
the date on which the Secretary of the Interior
receives an application under subparagraph (A), such
Secretary shall determine whether the nominated Tribal
Wildlife Corridor described in the application meets
the criteria established under paragraph (2).
(C) Publication.--On approval of an application
under subparagraph (B), the Secretary of the Interior
shall publish in the Federal Register a notice of the
establishment of the Tribal Wildlife Corridor, which
shall include a map and description of the Tribal
Wildlife Corridor.
(2) Criteria.--
(A) Establishment of criteria.--Not later than 18
months after the date of the enactment of this section,
the Secretary of the Interior shall establish criteria
for determining whether to designate a corridor
nominated by an Indian Tribe under paragraph (1)(A) as
a Tribal Wildlife Corridor.
(B) Required criteria.--The criteria established
under subparagraph (A) shall include consideration of
the historical, present, and potential future role of
the areas as a habitat connectivity area.
(3) Termination.--An Indian Tribe may elect to terminate
the designation of a Tribal Wildlife Corridor within the
jurisdiction of such Tribe by notifying the Secretary of the
Interior of such election.
(b) Coordination of Land Use Plans.--Section 202 of the Federal
Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1712) is amended--
(1) in subsection (b)--
(A) by striking ``Indian tribes by'' and inserting
the following: ``Indian Tribes--
``(1) by'';
(B) in paragraph (1) (as so designated), by
striking the period at the end and inserting ``; and'';
and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(2) for the purposes of determining whether the land use
plans for land in the National Forest System would provide
additional habitat connectivity to benefit the purposes of a
Tribal wildlife corridor established under section 301 of the
Wildlife Corridors and Habitat Connectivity Conservation Act of
2024.''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(g) Tribal Wildlife Corridors.--On the establishment of a Tribal
Wildlife Corridor under section 301 of the Wildlife Corridors and
Habitat Connectivity Conservation Act of 2024, the Secretary shall
conduct a meaningful consultation with the Indian Tribe that
administers the Tribal Wildlife Corridor to determine whether, through
the revision of 1 or more existing land use plans, the Tribal Wildlife
Corridor can--
``(1) be expanded into public lands; or
``(2) otherwise benefit habitat connectivity (as defined in
section 2 of that Act) between public lands and the Tribal
Wildlife Corridor.''.
(c) Technical Assistance.--The Secretary shall provide technical
assistance to Indian Tribes relating to the establishment, management,
and expansion of a Tribal Wildlife Corridor, including assistance with
accessing wildlife data and working with voluntary private landowners
to access Federal and State programs to improve habitat connectivity on
non-Federal land.
(d) Savings Clause.--Nothing in this section may be construed to--
(1) authorize the Federal Government to conduct any
activity on Indian land without the consent of each affected
Indian Tribe; or
(2) alter or waive the Federal trust responsibility to
Indian Tribes.
(e) Exemption From Freedom of Information Act.--
(1) Exemption.--Information described in paragraph (2) is
not subject to disclosure under section 552 of title 5, United
States Code (commonly known as the ``Freedom of Information
Act''), if the head of the agency that receives the
information, in consultation with the Secretary and the
affected Indian Tribe, determines that disclosure may--
(A) cause a significant invasion of privacy;
(B) risk harm to human remains or resources,
cultural items, uses, or activities; or
(C) impede the use of a traditional religious site
by practitioners.
(2) Information described.--Information referred to in
paragraph (1) is information received by a Federal agency--
(A) pursuant to this section relating to--
(i) the location, character, or ownership
of human remains of a person of Indian
ancestry; or
(ii) resources, cultural items, uses, or
activities identified by an Indian Tribe as
traditional or cultural because of the long-
established significance or ceremonial nature
to the Indian Tribe; or
(B) pursuant to the Native American Graves
Protection and Repatriation Act (25 U.S.C. 3001 et
seq.).
TITLE IV--WILDLIFE CORRIDOR GRANT PROGRAM ON NON-FEDERAL LAND AND WATER
SEC. 401. WILDLIFE CORRIDOR GRANT PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the
enactment of this section, the Secretary shall enter into a cooperative
agreement with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to establish
and administer a wildlife corridor grant program (referred to in this
section as the ``grant program'').
(b) Grants.--Not later than 180 days after funds are made available
to carry out this section, the Foundation, in consultation with the
Secretary and Coordinating Committee, shall make grants to eligible
entities to carry out projects that--
(1) are consistent with criteria established by a technical
advisory committee convened by the Foundation and consisting of
balanced representation from relevant Federal, State, and
Tribal government agencies, affected private landowners, and
nongovernmental organizations with relevant expertise;
(2) are recommended or approved for funding by a review
committee convened by the Foundation, including members of the
Coordinating Committee; and
(3) increase habitat connectivity and fish and wildlife
movement and migration on non-Federal lands and waters.
(c) Administrative Support.--The Foundation may expend not more
than 5 percent of amounts appropriated to carry out this section for
administrative expenses in each fiscal year.
(d) Donations.--The Foundation may solicit and accept donations of
amounts to carry out this section.
(e) Disclosure of Use.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the
enactment of this section, and not less frequently than annually
thereafter, the Secretary and the Foundation shall publish a
description of projects funded by grants issued under subsection (b)
during the preceding calendar year.
(f) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Eligible entity.--The term ``eligible entity'' means--
(A) a private landowner;
(B) a State, Tribal, or local government or any
agency thereof responsible for managing wildlife,
natural resources, or transportation;
(C) an agricultural cooperative;
(D) a water, irrigation, or rural water district or
association, or other organization with water delivery
authority, including acequias and land grant
communities in the State of New Mexico;
(E) an institution of higher education;
(F) a nongovernmental organization;
(G) a collaborative partnership; or
(H) any group of entities described in subparagraph
(A) through (G).
(2) Foundation.--The term ``Foundation'' means the National
Fish and Wildlife Foundation.
(3) Grant program.--The term ``grant program'' means the
wildlife corridor grant program established pursuant to
subsection (a).
(4) Institution of higher education.--The term
``institution of higher education'' has the meaning given the
term in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 1001(a)).
(5) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of the Interior.
TITLE V-- FUNDING
SEC. 501. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
(a) Science and Mapping of Wildlife Corridors and Habitat
Connectivity Areas.--There is authorized to be appropriated to the
Secretary of the Interior to carry out title I $5,000,000 for fiscal
year 2026 and each fiscal year thereafter.
(b) Collaboration, Partnership, and Conservation of Wildlife
Corridors and Habitat Connectivity Areas on Federal Land and Water.--
There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out title II for fiscal
year 2026 and each fiscal year thereafter--
(1) to the Secretary of the Interior, $20,000,000;
(2) to the Secretary of Transportation, $18,000,000;
(3) to the Secretary of Agriculture, $10,000,000;
(4) to the Secretary of Commerce, $9,000,000; and
(5) to the Secretary of Defense, $3,000,000.
(c) Tribal Wildlife Corridors.--There is authorized to be
appropriated to carry out title III $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2026
and each fiscal year thereafter.
(d) Wildlife Corridor Grant Program on Non-Federal Land and
Water.--There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of the
Interior to carry out title IV $75,000,000 for fiscal year 2026 and
each fiscal year thereafter. Each fiscal year, not less than 10 percent
of the total funds shall be reserved for projects that directly
conserve, restore, or enhance big game migration corridors or seasonal
habitat.
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