Sponsors (9)
The bill strengthens federal support, data, and coordination for wildlife connectivity while preserving State/Tribal authority and public access — but it increases federal spending and administrative complexity and narrows flexibility (especially toward big‑game priorities), which may create costs and burdens for taxpayers, agencies, and some private landowners.
State and Tribal wildlife agencies and local partners retain primary authority over fish and wildlife management while receiving centralized federal funding, technical support, and interagency coordination to plan and implement movement-area conservation.
Rural, tribal, and local communities benefit from improved habitat connectivity through targeted grants and restoration projects that protect migratory corridors and broader ecosystem services.
Drivers and communities near movement corridors gain safety and lower vehicle-repair and health costs because coordinated mitigation and mapping efforts reduce vehicle–wildlife collisions.
Taxpayers face increased federal spending and open-ended budgetary obligations from FY2026–2031 because the bill repeatedly authorizes 'such sums as are necessary' for programs and research.
Limits on federal agencies' ability to condition funding to change land use or production practices reduce a key policy tool, which could impede landscape-scale conservation and species recovery efforts.
The requirement to target at least 50% of funds to big‑game movement areas and defining 'big game' by State/Tribal regulated take may sideline non‑big‑game species and broader ecosystem priorities.
Based on analysis of 10 sections of legislative text.
Creates grant and research programs to map, conserve, and improve wildlife movement areas, with competitive grants run by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and direct State/Tribal research funding.
Introduced January 23, 2025 by Ryan Zinke · Last progress January 23, 2025
Provides federal funding, technical support, and coordinated mapping to identify, conserve, and improve habitat corridors and movement areas used by migratory big game and other native wildlife. Establishes competitive matching grants administered through the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, a State and Tribal research grant program, a USGS corridor‑mapping team, and a senior coordinator in the Interior Department to align federal, State, Tribal, and NGO efforts while protecting property rights and Tribal/state authorities. Grants generally require at least 10% non‑Federal match (waivable for Tribes, disadvantaged communities, or persistent poverty areas), reserve at least half of annual funds for big‑game movement projects, and authorize multi‑year appropriations for FY2026–2031 with reporting and confidentiality measures for sensitive location data.