Sponsors (5)
The bill directs modest, predictable federal funding toward targeted waterfowl habitat projects that will improve breeding success and partner capacity, but it does so by reallocating Interior resources and at funding levels that may not be large enough or equitably accessible to meet all regional needs.
Landowners and conservation groups in the Prairie Pothole Region can receive funding to install and maintain nest structures, improving duck nesting success and local habitat on working lands.
California landowners (including homeowners and producers) can get grants and incentives to create brood ponds and nesting cover, enhancing waterfowl breeding habitat and on-the-ground conservation in state breeding areas.
Nonprofits, state partners, and tribal communities gain predictable federal support—$3.5 million per program per year through 2030—helping sustain habitat restoration projects and partner capacity.
Taxpayers and other Interior priorities could be affected because the funds come from Department of the Interior operations, reducing amounts available for other DOI programs unless offsets are provided.
Limited funding levels ($3.5M per program per year) may be insufficient to scale habitat restoration across extensive Prairie Pothole and California breeding areas, leaving many high-need sites unaddressed.
Competition for grants may favor larger organizations with grant-writing capacity, making it harder for individual landowners, small nonprofits, and smaller farmers to secure funding without added technical assistance.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Creates two DOI competitive grant programs and funds $3.5M/year each (FY2026–FY2030) to place nest structures in the Prairie Pothole Region and develop breeding habitat in California.
Creates two competitive grant programs at the Department of the Interior to improve wildlife nesting and breeding habitat. One program funds placement and maintenance of cylindrical nest structures (“hen houses”) in the Prairie Pothole Region to boost nesting success; the other funds development of breeding habitat in California, including nesting cover, brood ponds, and incentives to willing landowners. Each program must be established within 180 days of enactment and is eligible to States, local governments, Tribal governments, nonprofits, and individuals. The law directs $3.5 million per year for each program from FY2026 through FY2030, drawn from amounts available to the Interior Department—Office of the Secretary—Departmental Operations account.
Official title: To establish grant programs to sustain populations of species of migratory waterfowl through the deployment of tools and practices that complement habitat conservation, and for other purposes.
Introduced July 22, 2025 by Michelle Fischbach · Last progress July 22, 2025