This bill would create the Pacific Northwest Migratory Bird Conservation pilot program. The Secretary of the Interior, through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, would run a voluntary grant and technical assistance program to fund habitat restoration projects for shorebirds, waterfowl, and other wetlands-dependent birds in the Oregon and Washington coastal zone and the Columbia River Basin. Eligible recipients include Federal, State, Tribal, local governments, nonprofits, conservation districts, private landowners, and other entities the Secretary approves. Eligible projects include water infrastructure and management projects and projects that manage or enhance vegetative habitat. Grants may be used for planning, permitting, installation, and replacing restoration work, but not for regular operation and maintenance. Recipients must use grant funds within 4 years. Grants may cover up to 10 percent of costs for measuring ecosystem service benefits and up to 10 percent for voluntary conservation easements. The Secretary may give priority to projects in areas with rapid habitat loss, rapid human population growth, or limited public access, and to projects that include long-term operation and maintenance plans and performance monitoring. Grants generally must include a non-Federal share of at least 25 percent, secured at least 2 years before application, which can be cash or in-kind contributions. The Secretary must consult with partners to set program criteria, may hire a grant manager, may not fund projects intended to meet existing environmental mitigation or compliance obligations, and must ensure projects follow all applicable Federal and State law. The Secretary must report to Congress within 180 days of enactment and annually after that. The bill authorizes $10,000,000 per year for fiscal years 2026–2030, with up to 3 percent of each year’s funds allowed for administration.
No publicly available information.
No publicly available information.