H.R. 8438

119 HR 8438 IH: Wildlife Corridors and Habitat Connectivity Conservation Act of 2026
 U.S. House of Representatives
 2026-04-22
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 I  119th CONGRESS  2d Session  H. R. 8438  IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES   April 22, 2026   Mr. Beyer  (for himself,  Mr. Buchanan ,  Ms. Lofgren , and  Mr. Fitzpatrick ) 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.
1.
Short title; table of contents
(a)
Short title
This Act may be cited as the   Wildlife Corridors and Habitat Connectivity Conservation Act of 2026  .
(b)
Table of contents
The table of contents for this Act is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Findings; 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. Establishment of National Wildlife Corridors System on Federal land and water.
Sec. 202. Nominations of National Wildlife Corridors and prioritization criteria.
Sec. 203. Management of National Wildlife Corridors.
Sec. 204. Resource sharing and coordination.
Sec. 205. Coordinating committee.
Sec. 206. Effect.
Sec. 207. Regulations.
Title III—WILDLIFE CORRIDOR GRANT PROGRAM ON NON–FEDERAL LAND AND WATER
Sec. 301. Wildlife corridor grant program.
Title IV—FUNDING
Sec. 401. Authorization of appropriations.
2.
Findings; 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 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 one 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 one 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; and
(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
(12)
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 natural diversity of native species, including species protected under Federal, State, and Tribal law, that have experienced or may experience diminished habitat connectivity due to habitat loss, degradation, fragmentation, or obstruction;
(2)
to provide long-term habitat connectivity for native species migration, dispersal, adaptation to climate and other environmental change, and genetic exchange;
(3)
to restore 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 State, Tribal, local, voluntary private landowner, and Federal agency decisionmakers in the planning and development of National Wildlife Corridors.
3.
Definitions
In this Act:
(1)
Appropriate committees of Congress
The term  appropriate committees of Congress  means—
(A)
the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate;
(B)
the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate;
(C)
the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate;
(D)
the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives;
(E)
the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives; and
(F)
the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives.
(2)
Connectivity
The term  connectivity  means the degree to which the landscape or seascape facilitates wildlife movement to achieve—
(A)
dispersal and genetic exchange between populations;
(B)
range shifting, range expansion, or range restoration, such as in response to climate change;
(C)
seasonal movement or migration; or
(D)
succession, movement, or recolonization following—
(i)
a disturbance, such as fire, flood, drought, or infestation; or
(ii)
population decline or previous extirpation.
(3)
Coordinating Committee
The term  Coordinating Committee  means the Coordinating Committee established under section 205(a).
(4)
Corridor
The term  corridor  means a feature of the landscape or seascape that provides habitat connectivity.
(5)
Federal land or water
The term  Federal land or water  means any land or water, or interest in land or water, owned by the United States.
(6)
Grant program
The term  grant program  means the wildlife movement grant program established by section 301(a).
(7)
Habitat
The term  habitat  means land, water, and substrate that supports or may support in the future the life cycle of a native species that facilitates, with respect to the native species, spawning, breeding, feeding, growth to maturity, or migration.
(8)
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.
(9)
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 ).
(10)
Land use management plan
The term  land use management plan  means a land use management plan developed pursuant to—
(A)
section 100502 of title 54, United States Code;
(B)
section 202 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 ( 43 U.S.C. 1712 );
(C)
section 4(e) of the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 ( 16 U.S.C. 668dd(e) );
(D)
section 6 of the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 ( 16 U.S.C. 1604 ); or
(E)
section 202 of the Sikes Act ( 16 U.S.C. 670h ).
(11)
National Wildlife Corridor
The term  National Wildlife Corridor  means any Federal land or water designated as a National Wildlife Corridor pursuant to section 201(a).
(12)
National Wildlife Corridor System
The term  National Wildlife Corridor System  means the system of National Wildlife Corridors established by section 201(a).
(13)
Native species
The term  native species  means—
(A)
a fish, wildlife, aquatic organism, or plant species that is or was historically present in a particular ecosystem as a result of behavioral or evolutionary processes, including subspecies and plant varieties; and
(B)
a migratory bird species that is native to the United States or its territories (as that term is defined in section 2(b)(2)(A) of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act ( 16 U.S.C. 703(b)(2)(A) )).
(14)
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.
(15)
Secretaries
The term  Secretaries  means—
(A)
the Secretary of Agriculture;
(B)
the Secretary of Commerce;
(C)
the Secretary of Defense;
(D)
the Secretary of the Interior; and
(E)
the Secretary of Transportation.
(16)
Secretary
The term  Secretary  means the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.
(17)
Secretary concerned
The term  Secretary concerned  means each of the Secretaries with administrative jurisdiction over the Federal land or water at issue.
(18)
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)
the territorial sea (within the meaning of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act ( 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. )) and the exclusive economic zone (as that term is defined in section 3 of that Act ( 16 U.S.C. 1802 )) within the jurisdiction or sovereignty of the Federal Government.
(19)
Wildlife movement
The term  wildlife movement  means the passage of individual members or populations of native species across a landscape or seascape.
I
SCIENCE AND MAPPING OF WILDLIFE CORRIDORS AND HABITAT CONNECTIVITY
101.
Program establishment
(a)
Establishment
The Director shall establish and maintain a habitat connectivity 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.
(c)
Wildlife movement and habitat connectivity mapping
(1)
Mapping efforts
The Director shall expand and build upon existing agency efforts to map habitat connectivity for native species. 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 wildlife movements and delineate habitat connectivity; 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 corridors and habitat connectivity; and
(B)
maps of habitat connectivity and National Wildlife Corridors to guide land-use planning and on-the-ground management of native species.
(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 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 corridors and habitat connectivity.
(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 and habitat connectivity research
The Director shall conduct research to help guide management of National Wildlife Corridors, including—
(1)
a study to evaluate the impacts of climate change on habitat connectivity and forecast how National Wildlife Corridors may need to shift to allow native species to adapt;
(2)
a study to quantify the effect of ongoing and planned development on habitat connectivity and National Wildlife Corridors;
(3)
a study to develop new mapping methods to prioritize critical corridors and habitat connectivity areas; and
(4)
a study to evaluate the effectiveness of efforts to address habitat fragmentation and mitigation barriers to habitat connectivity.
(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 mapping and science program established by the Director under subsection (a).
II
COLLABORATION, PARTNERSHIP, AND CONSERVATION OF AMERICAN WILDLIFE CORRIDORS
201.
Establishment of National Wildlife Corridors System on Federal land and water
(a)
Establishment
There is established a system of corridors on Federal land and water, to be known as the  National Wildlife Corridor System , which shall consist of National Wildlife Corridors designated as part of the National Wildlife Corridor System by—
(1)
statute;
(2)
rulemaking; or
(3)
a land use management plan developed or revised by the Secretaries.
(b)
Strategy
Not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this section, the Secretary shall develop a strategy for the effective development of the National Wildlife Corridor System—
(1)
to support the fulfillment of the purposes described in section 2(b);
(2)
to ensure coordination and consistency across Federal agencies in the development, implementation, and management of National Wildlife Corridors; and
(3)
to develop a timeline for the implementation of National Wildlife Corridors.
202.
Nominations of National Wildlife Corridors and prioritization criteria
(a)
Partner nominations
State, Tribal, and local governments, non-governmental organizations, and collaborative partnerships may nominate Federal lands and waters as National Wildlife Corridors.
(b)
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 National Wildlife Corridors.
(c)
Nominated areas
With respect to any area for which the Secretary concerned receives a nomination under subsection (a) or (b), the Secretary concerned shall make a determination not later than 1 year after the date on which the Secretary concerned receives such nomination.
(d)
Prioritization criteria
The Secretaries shall establish criteria to determine which habitat connectivity areas to designate as National Wildlife Corridors. Such criteria shall include—
(1)
support from the best available science relating to—
(A)
existing habitat connectivity; and
(B)
potential future habitat connectivity;
(2)
whether the Federal land or water merits inclusion within the National Wildlife Corridor System because it—
(A)
provides habitat connectivity and supports wildlife movement;
(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. ); and
(3)
the consideration of recommendations from the Coordinating Committee under section 205(c).
203.
Management of National Wildlife Corridors
(a)
In general
The Secretaries shall manage National Wildlife Corridors in a manner that contributes to the long-term persistence, resilience, adaptability, and movement of native species through—
(1)
the maintenance, restoration, or improvement of habitat connectivity, including establishment of goals and monitoring plans;
(2)
the prohibition of human infrastructure, development, and activities that impede wildlife movement, except where required to meet the minimum requirements for the purposes of this Act;
(3)
the implementation of strategies and activities that enhance the ability of native species to adapt to changing environmental conditions;
(4)
the use of existing conservation programs managed by the Secretary concerned to contribute to the persistence, resilience, adaptability, and wildlife movement of native species; and
(5)
providing education and outreach regarding the benefits of National Wildlife Corridors and habitat connectivity.
(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 National Wildlife Corridors.
(c)
Land use management planning
(1)
In general
Not later than 6 months after a designation under section 201, the Secretary concerned shall, in consultation with each of the Secretaries, make such land use management plans (or revisions of existing such plans) to carry out the purposes of this Act.
(2)
Requirements
The Secretaries shall, during each land use management plan review, amend or revise each such plan to—
(A)
conserve, restore, and manage National Wildlife Corridors; and
(B)
consider designating land or water as a National Wildlife Corridor under section 201(a).
(3)
Removal
Corridors established pursuant to land use management plans may only be removed from the National Wildlife Corridor System through an amendment or revision to said plans if the corridor no longer provides effective habitat connectivity or 1 or more additional corridors have been designated that fully replace the habitat connectivity of the original corridor.
(d)
Preexisting designations
(1)
In general
Any portion of a component of the National Wildlife Corridor System that is within the national wilderness preservation system, as established by or pursuant to the Wilderness Act ( 16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq. ), shall be subject to the provisions of both the that Act ( 16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq. ) and this Act and in case of conflict between the provisions of these Acts the more restrictive provisions shall apply.
(2)
National Park System
Any component of the National Wildlife Corridor System that is administered by the Secretary of the Interior through the National Park Service shall be a part of the National Park System, and any such component that is administered by the Secretary through the Fish and Wildlife Service shall be a part of the National Wildlife Refuge System. The lands involved shall be subject to the provisions of this Act and the Acts under which the National Park System or National Wildlife Refuge System, as the case may be, is administered, and in case of conflict between the provisions of these Acts, the more restrictive provisions shall apply.
(e)
Withdrawals
Subject to valid existing rights, all Federal lands and interests in lands within a designated National Wildlife Corridor are withdrawn from—
(1)
all forms of entry, appropriation, and disposal under the public land laws;
(2)
location, entry, and patent under the mining laws; and
(3)
operation of the mineral leasing, mineral materials, and geothermal leasing laws.
(f)
Multiple jurisdictions
The Secretaries shall carry out conservation and restoration activities in National Wildlife Corridors that are subject to the jurisdiction of more than 1 of the Secretaries in consultation with each of the Secretaries concerned.
(g)
Road mitigation
In the case of National 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 wildlife movement through strategies including—
(A)
the construction, maintenance, or replacement of native species underpasses, overpasses, culverts, fences, and other mitigation measures; and
(B)
the maintenance, replacement, or removal of dams, bridges, culverts, and other hydrological obstructions.
(h)
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 National Wildlife Corridors or habitat connectivity.
(4)
A description of opportunities to conserve and improve the quality and condition of habitat connectivity and wildlife movement.
(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 and wildlife movement.
(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 and wildlife movement.
204.
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, multi-stakeholder 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 government agencies; and
(ii)
how the Secretary concerned will coordinate efforts to conserve, restore, and manage habitat connectivity; 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.
(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; and
(E)
Migratory Bird Joint Ventures.
205.
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.
(b)
Membership
The Coordinating Committee shall be composed of—
(1)
the Secretary (or a designee);
(2)
the Secretary of Transportation (or a designee);
(3)
the Secretary of Agriculture (or a designee);
(4)
the Secretary of Commerce (or a designee);
(5)
the Secretary of Defense (or a designee);
(6)
the Director of the Bureau of Indian Affairs (or a designee);
(7)
the Director of the National Park Service (or a designee);
(8)
the Director of the Bureau of Land Management (or a designee);
(9)
the Executive Director of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (or a designee);
(10)
2 representatives of intertribal organizations representing Indian Tribes, to be appointed by the Secretary; and
(11)
not more than 3 representatives of nongovernmental, science, or academic organizations with expertise in wildlife conservation and habitat connectivity, to be appointed by the Secretary in a manner that ensures that the membership of the Coordinating Committee is fair and balanced.
(c)
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 national wildlife corridors for designation under section 202;
(2)
to support the fulfillment of the purposes of this Act;
(3)
to ensure coordination with Federal, State, Tribal, and local governments and collaborative partnerships in conserving National Wildlife Corridors or habitat connectivity;
(4)
to provide education or outreach regarding the benefits of National Wildlife Corridors and habitat connectivity; and
(5)
such other measures as the Coordinating Committee determines necessary for implementation of this Act.
206.
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 National 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.
207.
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 title.
III
WILDLIFE CORRIDOR GRANT PROGRAM ON NON–FEDERAL LAND AND WATER
301.
Wildlife corridor grant program
(a)
In general
The Secretary shall establish a wildlife movement grant program to encourage wildlife movement in accordance with this subsection.
(b)
Grants
Beginning not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary, based on recommendations from the Coordinating Committee, shall make annual grants to 1 or more projects that—
(2)
satisfy the purposes described in section 2(b); and
(3)
increase habitat connectivity.
(c)
Eligible recipients
A person or entity that is eligible to receive a grant under the grant program is—
(1)
a voluntary private landowner or group of landowners;
(2)
a State fish and wildlife agency or other State agency responsible for managing natural resources and wildlife;
(3)
an Indian Tribe;
(4)
a unit of local government;
(5)
an agricultural cooperative;
(6)
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);
(7)
an institution of higher education;
(8)
a Federal agency; and
(9)
any group of entities described in paragraphs (1) through (8).
(d)
Requirements
In administering the grant program, the Secretary shall use criteria, guidelines, contracts, reporting requirements, and evaluation metrics developed by the Coordinating Committee.
IV
FUNDING
401.
Authorization of appropriations
(a)
Science and mapping of wildlife corridors and habitat connectivity
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 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)
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 III $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.