On June 26th, Senator Padilla (D-CA), Representative Zinke (R-MT), and Representative Beyer (D-VA) introduced complementary habitat connectivity bills in both the Senate and House. These bills formally authorize existing federal connectivity programs established under Secretarial Order 3362.
The proposed legislation, called the Wildlife Movement Through Partnerships Act, will provide funding and technical expertise for maintaining and restoring connectivity for ungulates in priority movement areas. The bill is intended is to build collaborative partnerships across jurisdictions and support State, Tribal, and private landowners in efforts to improve migration corridors and connectivity between habitats.
Passage of this legislation would contribute to conserving connectivity across land jurisdictions and continues to build out the suite of connectivity-related efforts in recent years at both the federal level and state level.
The following are the key provisions related to connectivity conservation found within the proposed bill:
- Wildlife Movement and Movement Area Grant Program
- The Act will establish a grant program intended to fund projects that “improve or conserve habitat quality in movement areas,” such as habitat leases, fence modification, non-federal land acquisition, conservation easements, wildlife-vehicle collision reduction, voluntary collaboration with private landowners, and coordination among State and Tribal government agencies.
- Eligible recipients of such funding include State and Tribal agencies, 501(c) nonprofits, higher education institutions, national or regional associations representing State and Tribal fish and wildlife agencies, and county governments.
- Proposals under the program must identify movement areas where habitat improvement is attainable and include written support from State or Tribal agencies with jurisdiction over said area. At least half of the program’s available funds will be used for projects that directly conserve or restore big game movement areas.
- State and Tribal Migration Research Program
- The Secretary of the Interior will establish a research program that will provide direct funds, via the USFWS Science Applications program, to State fish and wildlife agencies and Indian Tribes to collect and analyze data related to the identification, characterization, or management of movement areas.
- Language will also be added to the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Act allowing funds under the program to be used to provide technical assistance to implement programs that focus on migration corridors or seasonal habitat conservation on private and tribal lands.
- USGS Corridor Mapping
- The Act reaffirms support for the USGS Corridor Mapping Team, which provides technical assistance to Federal, State, and Tribal agencies working to assess and map movement areas. While protecting sensitive information with respect to private property rights and the prevention of poaching, illegal taking, and unfair chase, the USGS will continue to publish an annual report on analyses and mapped migration corridors, seasonal habitat, and connectivity areas.
Please note: This digest is intended to provide up-to-date information on policy development from a neutral, unaffiliated position as it relates to connectivity and corridor science and management.
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