Pacific Flyway Habitat Enhancement Act

This bill expands a USDA conservation program so more farm acres can be enrolled to help wetland wildlife. It lets the program include some farmland that normally wouldn’t qualify if adding it is key to restoring or protecting habitat. On working cropland, it would allow seasonal flooding to create habitat for wetland-dependent species, as long as the farmer uses at least one approved best practice. Payments to landowners would be set to match typical regional costs for maintaining these seasonally flooded habitats, and the USDA could waive certain cost-match requirements for these projects.

Key points

• Who is affected: Farmers and landowners with cropland in areas where wetland habitat is a priority; wildlife that depends on seasonal wetlands.
• What changes: More types of farmland can join the program; seasonal flooding is allowed on working cropland with at least one best practice; rental payments must reflect regional habitat costs; USDA can waive matching funds in some cases.
• When: Would take effect if enacted into law.