Habitat Connectivity on Working Lands Act
Agriculture and Food
house
senate
president
Introduced on April 20, 2024 by Gabriel Vasquez
Cosponsors
Legislation Details
- Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to enhance wildlife habitat connectivity and migration corridors.
- Defines “habitat connectivity” and “big game species” within the context of conservation programs.
- Updates the Regional Conservation Partnership Program to include restoration and enhancement of wildlife habitat connectivity, focusing on big game species.
- Allows cost-share payments for grassland enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) for planning and management activities.
- Increases the payment limit for rental payments under the CRP from $50,000 to $125,000.
- Expands the Environmental Quality Incentives Program to include wildlife habitat connectivity in payment considerations.
- Mandates the incorporation of nonstructural methods, such as virtual fencing, into conservation practice standards to improve habitat connectivity.
- Ensures adequate technical assistance for implementing practices that support habitat connectivity.
- Encourages the conservation of landscape corridors and hydrologic connectivity in conservation programs.
- Establishes high-priority research and extension areas for studying virtual fencing technology and its impact on natural resources and big game habitats.
Last updated 8/8/2024