H.R. 8438

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 8438 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>

119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 8438

To provide for the conservation of wildlife corridors and habitat 
connectivity, and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

April 22, 2026

Mr. Beyer (for himself, Mr. Buchanan, Ms. Lofgren, and Mr. Fitzpatrick) 
introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on 
Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committees on Agriculture, 
Transportation and Infrastructure, and Armed Services, for a period to 
be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for 
consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the 
committee concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

To provide for the conservation of wildlife corridors and habitat 
connectivity, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Wildlife Corridors 
and Habitat Connectivity Conservation Act of 2026''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as 
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Findings; purposes.
Sec. 3. Definitions.
TITLE I--SCIENCE AND MAPPING OF WILDLIFE CORRIDORS AND HABITAT 
CONNECTIVITY

Sec. 101. Program establishment.
TITLE II--COLLABORATION, PARTNERSHIP, AND CONSERVATION OF AMERICAN 
WILDLIFE CORRIDORS

Sec. 201. Establishment of National Wildlife Corridors System on 
Federal land and water.
Sec. 202. Nominations of National Wildlife Corridors and prioritization 
criteria.
Sec. 203. Management of National Wildlife Corridors.
Sec. 204. Resource sharing and coordination.
Sec. 205. Coordinating committee.
Sec. 206. Effect.
Sec. 207. Regulations.
TITLE III--WILDLIFE CORRIDOR GRANT PROGRAM ON NON-FEDERAL LAND AND 
WATER

Sec. 301. Wildlife corridor grant program.
TITLE IV--FUNDING

Sec. 401. Authorization of appropriations.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS; PURPOSES.

(a) Findings.--Congress finds that--
(1) the native fish, wildlife, and plant species in the 
United States are part of a rich natural heritage and an 
important legacy to pass on to future generations;
(2) the populations of many native fish, wildlife, and 
plant species in the United States are in decline;
(3) scientists estimate that, in the United States, 34 
percent of plants and 40 percent of animals are at risk of 
extinction and 41 percent of ecosystems are at risk of range-
wide collapse;
(4) threats to the survival and diversity of many native 
fish, wildlife, and plant species in the United States include 
the loss, degradation, fragmentation, and obstruction of 
natural habitats;
(5) habitat fragmentation reduces native biodiversity and 
impairs key ecosystem functions;
(6) climate change threatens native fish, wildlife, and 
plant species;
(7) the document published by the Intergovernmental 
Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services 
titled ``Global assessment report on biodiversity and ecosystem 
services'' (2019) found that--
(A) 1,000,000 wildlife and plant species worldwide 
are now threatened with extinction; and
(B) 75 percent of the land-based environment, and 
approximately 66 percent of the marine environment, 
have been significantly altered by human actions;
(8) the conservation of new and existing landscape and 
seascape corridors, through which native species can transition 
from one habitat to another, plays an important role in 
helping--
(A) to conserve native biodiversity; and
(B) to ensure resiliency against impacts from a 
range of biotic and abiotic stressors;
(9) the conservation, restoration, and establishment of new 
ecological connections to facilitate the movement of species 
into more suitable habitats is a key climate change adaptation 
strategy;
(10) the protection of new and existing corridors is often 
one of the first steps in restoration and recovery planning;
(11) States have recognized the importance of habitat 
connectivity, including through--
(A) at least 83 pieces of State legislation passed 
in 20 States since 2019, which have supported actions 
including identification of wildlife corridors and 
coordination of State agencies, Tribes, non-
governmental organizations, and other partners to 
address habitat connectivity issues; and
(B) a New England Governors and Eastern Canadian 
Premiers' Conference on the importance of connectivity 
for ecosystem adaptability and resilience, 
biodiversity, and human communities; and
(12) Federal policies consistently recognize the importance 
of voluntary improvement projects by private landowners to 
habitat conservation and restoration for native species.
(b) Purposes.--The purposes of this Act are--
(1) to support a natural diversity of native species, 
including species protected under Federal, State, and Tribal 
law, that have experienced or may experience diminished habitat 
connectivity due to habitat loss, degradation, fragmentation, 
or obstruction;
(2) to provide long-term habitat connectivity for native 
species migration, dispersal, adaptation to climate and other 
environmental change, and genetic exchange;
(3) to restore wildlife movements that have been disrupted 
by habitat loss, degradation, fragmentation, or obstruction;
(4) to facilitate coordinated landscape and seascape-scale 
connectivity planning and management across jurisdictions; and
(5) to support State, Tribal, local, voluntary private 
landowner, and Federal agency decisionmakers in the planning 
and development of National Wildlife Corridors.

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

In this Act:
(1) Appropriate committees of congress.--The term 
``appropriate committees of Congress'' means--
(A) the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources 
of the Senate;
(B) the Committee on Environment and Public Works 
of the Senate;
(C) the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate;
(D) the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the 
House of Representatives;
(E) the Committee on Natural Resources of the House 
of Representatives; and
(F) the Committee on Appropriations of the House of 
Representatives.
(2) Connectivity.--The term ``connectivity'' means the 
degree to which the landscape or seascape facilitates wildlife 
movement to achieve--
(A) dispersal and genetic exchange between 
populations;
(B) range shifting, range expansion, or range 
restoration, such as in response to climate change;
(C) seasonal movement or migration; or
(D) succession, movement, or recolonization 
following--
(i) a disturbance, such as fire, flood, 
drought, or infestation; or
(ii) population decline or previous 
extirpation.
(3) Coordinating committee.--The term ``Coordinating 
Committee'' means the Coordinating Committee established under 
section 205(a).
(4) Corridor.--The term ``corridor'' means a feature of the 
landscape or seascape that provides habitat connectivity.
(5) Federal land or water.--The term ``Federal land or 
water'' means any land or water, or interest in land or water, 
owned by the United States.
(6) Grant program.--The term ``grant program'' means the 
wildlife movement grant program established by section 301(a).
(7) Habitat.--The term ``habitat'' means land, water, and 
substrate that supports or may support in the future the life 
cycle of a native species that facilitates, with respect to the 
native species, spawning, breeding, feeding, growth to 
maturity, or migration.
(8) Indian land.--The term ``Indian land'' means land of an 
Indian Tribe, or an Indian individual, that is--
(A) held in trust by the United States; or
(B) subject to a restriction against alienation 
imposed by the United States.
(9) Indian tribe.--The term ``Indian Tribe'' has the 
meaning given the term in section 4 of the Indian Self-
Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).
(10) Land use management plan.--The term ``land use 
management plan'' means a land use management plan developed 
pursuant to--
(A) section 100502 of title 54, United States Code;
(B) section 202 of the Federal Land Policy and 
Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1712);
(C) section 4(e) of the National Wildlife Refuge 
System Administration Act of 1966 (16 U.S.C. 668dd(e));
(D) section 6 of the Forest and Rangeland Renewable 
Resources Planning Act of 1974 (16 U.S.C. 1604); or
(E) section 202 of the Sikes Act (16 U.S.C. 670h).
(11) National wildlife corridor.--The term ``National 
Wildlife Corridor'' means any Federal land or water designated 
as a National Wildlife Corridor pursuant to section 201(a).
(12) National wildlife corridor system.--The term 
``National Wildlife Corridor System'' means the system of 
National Wildlife Corridors established by section 201(a).
(13) Native species.--The term ``native species'' means--
(A) a fish, wildlife, aquatic organism, or plant 
species that is or was historically present in a 
particular ecosystem as a result of behavioral or 
evolutionary processes, including subspecies and plant 
varieties; and
(B) a migratory bird species that is native to the 
United States or its territories (as that term is 
defined in section 2(b)(2)(A) of the Migratory Bird 
Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. 703(b)(2)(A))).
(14) Regional ocean partnership.--The term ``regional ocean 
partnership'' means a regional organization of coastal or Great 
Lakes States, territories, or possessions voluntarily convened 
by Governors to address cross-jurisdictional ocean matters, or 
the functional equivalent of such a regional ocean organization 
designated by the Governor or Governors of a State or States.
(15) Secretaries.--The term ``Secretaries'' means--
(A) the Secretary of Agriculture;
(B) the Secretary of Commerce;
(C) the Secretary of Defense;
(D) the Secretary of the Interior; and
(E) the Secretary of Transportation.
(16) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
of the Interior, acting through the Director of the United 
States Fish and Wildlife Service.
(17) Secretary concerned.--The term ``Secretary concerned'' 
means each of the Secretaries with administrative jurisdiction 
over the Federal land or water at issue.
(18) United states.--The term ``United States'', when used 
in a geographical sense, means--
(A) a State;
(B) the District of Columbia;
(C) the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico;
(D) Guam;
(E) American Samoa;
(F) the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana 
Islands;
(G) the Federated States of Micronesia;
(H) the Republic of the Marshall Islands;
(I) the Republic of Palau;
(J) the United States Virgin Islands; and
(K) the territorial sea (within the meaning of the 
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management 
Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.)) and the exclusive 
economic zone (as that term is defined in section 3 of 
that Act (16 U.S.C. 1802)) within the jurisdiction or 
sovereignty of the Federal Government.
(19) Wildlife movement.--The term ``wildlife movement'' 
means the passage of individual members or populations of 
native species across a landscape or seascape.

TITLE I--SCIENCE AND MAPPING OF WILDLIFE CORRIDORS AND HABITAT 
CONNECTIVITY

SEC. 101. PROGRAM ESTABLISHMENT.

(a) Establishment.--The Director shall establish and maintain a 
habitat connectivity mapping and science program to carry out this 
section.
(b) Purpose.--The purpose of the program is to develop mapping and 
science to support Federal, State, local, and Tribal governments and 
the public in efforts to protect habitat connectivity.
(c) Wildlife Movement and Habitat Connectivity Mapping.--
(1) Mapping efforts.--The Director shall expand and build 
upon existing agency efforts to map habitat connectivity for 
native species. Such efforts shall include working with, 
incorporating data from, and sharing data between--
(A) Federal agencies;
(B) State, Tribal, and local governments;
(C) nongovernmental organizations; and
(D) academic institutions.
(2) Use of technology.--The Director shall--
(A) use new data management, visualization, and 
analysis capabilities to analyze wildlife movements and 
delineate habitat connectivity; and
(B) share these capabilities with Federal, State, 
local, and Tribal wildlife managers.
(3) Distribution of maps.--The Director shall develop and 
make available to the public--
(A) a database of corridors and habitat 
connectivity; and
(B) maps of habitat connectivity and National 
Wildlife Corridors to guide land-use planning and on-
the-ground management of native species.
(4) Report.--Not later than 2 years after the date of the 
enactment of this section, the Director shall submit to the 
Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives 
and the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate 
a report that--
(A) provides an assessment of existing maps, data, 
models, surveys, and descriptions of habitat 
connectivity that have been developed by--
(i) Federal, State, Tribal, and local fish 
and wildlife agencies and natural heritage 
programs;
(ii) nongovernmental organizations; and
(iii) industry; and
(B) identifies gaps in information about corridors 
and habitat connectivity.
(5) Proprietary interests and protected information.--In 
carrying out this section, the Director shall--
(A) protect proprietary interests with respect to 
confidential information and licensed data; and
(B) protect such information relating to the 
habitats and ranges of specific native fish and 
wildlife as the Director determines appropriate to 
protect such fish and wildlife.
(d) Wildlife Movement and Habitat Connectivity Research.--The 
Director shall conduct research to help guide management of National 
Wildlife Corridors, including--
(1) a study to evaluate the impacts of climate change on 
habitat connectivity and forecast how National Wildlife 
Corridors may need to shift to allow native species to adapt;
(2) a study to quantify the effect of ongoing and planned 
development on habitat connectivity and National Wildlife 
Corridors;
(3) a study to develop new mapping methods to prioritize 
critical corridors and habitat connectivity areas; and
(4) a study to evaluate the effectiveness of efforts to 
address habitat fragmentation and mitigation barriers to 
habitat connectivity.
(e) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Director.--The term ``Director'' means the Director of 
the United States Geological Survey.
(2) Program.--The term ``program'' means the habitat 
connectivity mapping and science program established by the 
Director under subsection (a).

TITLE II--COLLABORATION, PARTNERSHIP, AND CONSERVATION OF AMERICAN 
WILDLIFE CORRIDORS

SEC. 201. ESTABLISHMENT OF NATIONAL WILDLIFE CORRIDORS SYSTEM ON 
FEDERAL LAND AND WATER.

(a) Establishment.--There is established a system of corridors on 
Federal land and water, to be known as the ``National Wildlife Corridor 
System'', which shall consist of National Wildlife Corridors designated 
as part of the National Wildlife Corridor System by--
(1) statute;
(2) rulemaking; or
(3) a land use management plan developed or revised by the 
Secretaries.
(b) Strategy.--Not later than 18 months after the date of the 
enactment of this section, the Secretary shall develop a strategy for 
the effective development of the National Wildlife Corridor System--
(1) to support the fulfillment of the purposes described in 
section 2(b);
(2) to ensure coordination and consistency across Federal 
agencies in the development, implementation, and management of 
National Wildlife Corridors; and
(3) to develop a timeline for the implementation of 
National Wildlife Corridors.

SEC. 202. NOMINATIONS OF NATIONAL WILDLIFE CORRIDORS AND PRIORITIZATION 
CRITERIA.

(a) Partner Nominations.--State, Tribal, and local governments, 
non-governmental organizations, and collaborative partnerships may 
nominate Federal lands and waters as National Wildlife Corridors.
(b) Coordinating Committee Nominations.--The Coordinating Committee 
shall, not later than 2 years after the date on which the Coordinating 
Committee is established and not less frequently than every 5 years 
thereafter, nominate habitat connectivity areas to be designated as 
National Wildlife Corridors.
(c) Nominated Areas.--With respect to any area for which the 
Secretary concerned receives a nomination under subsection (a) or (b), 
the Secretary concerned shall make a determination not later than 1 
year after the date on which the Secretary concerned receives such 
nomination.
(d) Prioritization Criteria.--The Secretaries shall establish 
criteria to determine which habitat connectivity areas to designate as 
National Wildlife Corridors. Such criteria shall include--
(1) support from the best available science relating to--
(A) existing habitat connectivity; and
(B) potential future habitat connectivity;
(2) whether the Federal land or water merits inclusion 
within the National Wildlife Corridor System because it--
(A) provides habitat connectivity and supports 
wildlife movement;
(B) has the potential to benefit more than 1 
species of fish and wildlife; or
(C) has the potential to benefit a fish or wildlife 
species that is listed as a threatened species or an 
endangered species under the Endangered Species Act of 
1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.); and
(3) the consideration of recommendations from the 
Coordinating Committee under section 205(c).

SEC. 203. MANAGEMENT OF NATIONAL WILDLIFE CORRIDORS.

(a) In General.--The Secretaries shall manage National Wildlife 
Corridors in a manner that contributes to the long-term persistence, 
resilience, adaptability, and movement of native species through--
(1) the maintenance, restoration, or improvement of habitat 
connectivity, including establishment of goals and monitoring 
plans;
(2) the prohibition of human infrastructure, development, 
and activities that impede wildlife movement, except where 
required to meet the minimum requirements for the purposes of 
this Act;
(3) the implementation of strategies and activities that 
enhance the ability of native species to adapt to changing 
environmental conditions;
(4) the use of existing conservation programs managed by 
the Secretary concerned to contribute to the persistence, 
resilience, adaptability, and wildlife movement of native 
species; and
(5) providing education and outreach regarding the benefits 
of National Wildlife Corridors and habitat connectivity.
(b) Coordinated Management.--Not later than 2 years after the date 
of the enactment of this section, each of the Secretaries shall update 
all relevant regulations, orders, guidance documents, policies, 
instructions, manuals, directives, notices, implementing actions, and 
other relevant documents and procedures to support the management and 
long-term conservation of National Wildlife Corridors.
(c) Land Use Management Planning.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 6 months after a 
designation under section 201, the Secretary concerned shall, 
in consultation with each of the Secretaries, make such land 
use management plans (or revisions of existing such plans) to 
carry out the purposes of this Act.
(2) Requirements.--The Secretaries shall, during each land 
use management plan review, amend or revise each such plan to--
(A) conserve, restore, and manage National Wildlife 
Corridors; and
(B) consider designating land or water as a 
National Wildlife Corridor under section 201(a).
(3) Removal.--Corridors established pursuant to land use 
management plans may only be removed from the National Wildlife 
Corridor System through an amendment or revision to said plans 
if the corridor no longer provides effective habitat 
connectivity or 1 or more additional corridors have been 
designated that fully replace the habitat connectivity of the 
original corridor.
(d) Preexisting Designations.--
(1) In general.--Any portion of a component of the National 
Wildlife Corridor System that is within the national wilderness 
preservation system, as established by or pursuant to the 
Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.), shall be subject to 
the provisions of both the that Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.) 
and this Act and in case of conflict between the provisions of 
these Acts the more restrictive provisions shall apply.
(2) National park system.--Any component of the National 
Wildlife Corridor System that is administered by the Secretary 
of the Interior through the National Park Service shall be a 
part of the National Park System, and any such component that 
is administered by the Secretary through the Fish and Wildlife 
Service shall be a part of the National Wildlife Refuge System. 
The lands involved shall be subject to the provisions of this 
Act and the Acts under which the National Park System or 
National Wildlife Refuge System, as the case may be, is 
administered, and in case of conflict between the provisions of 
these Acts, the more restrictive provisions shall apply.
(e) Withdrawals.--Subject to valid existing rights, all Federal 
lands and interests in lands within a designated National Wildlife 
Corridor are withdrawn from--
(1) all forms of entry, appropriation, and disposal under 
the public land laws;
(2) location, entry, and patent under the mining laws; and
(3) operation of the mineral leasing, mineral materials, 
and geothermal leasing laws.
(f) Multiple Jurisdictions.--The Secretaries shall carry out 
conservation and restoration activities in National Wildlife Corridors 
that are subject to the jurisdiction of more than 1 of the Secretaries 
in consultation with each of the Secretaries concerned.
(g) Road Mitigation.--In the case of National Wildlife Corridors 
that intersect, adjoin, or cross a new or existing State, Tribal, or 
local road or highway, the Secretaries shall consult with State, 
Tribal, and local transportation agencies, as appropriate, to identify 
and implement voluntary environmental mitigation measures--
(1) to improve public safety and reduce vehicle-caused fish 
and wildlife mortality while conserving or restoring habitat 
connectivity; and
(2) to mitigate damage to wildlife movement through 
strategies including--
(A) the construction, maintenance, or replacement 
of native species underpasses, overpasses, culverts, 
fences, and other mitigation measures; and
(B) the maintenance, replacement, or removal of 
dams, bridges, culverts, and other hydrological 
obstructions.
(h) Report to Congress.--Not later than 2 years after the date of 
the enactment of this section, and not less frequently than every 5 
years thereafter, the Coordinating Committee shall submit to Congress a 
report regarding the efforts of the Secretaries to carry out this Act 
and the effect of such efforts on the conservation and management of 
habitat connectivity, seasonal habitat, wildlife movement, and 
migration routes on Federal land and water, including the following 
with respect to Federal land and waters:
(1) A description of existing management practices relating 
to the purposes of this Act.
(2) An inventory of known wildlife movement structures and 
fish passage projects.
(3) A description of short- and long-term threats to 
National Wildlife Corridors or habitat connectivity.
(4) A description of opportunities to conserve and improve 
the quality and condition of habitat connectivity and wildlife 
movement.
(5) A description of opportunities to coordinate State, 
Tribal, and local governments and collaborative partnership 
efforts to carry out this Act with other landscape-scale 
conservation plans.
(6) Strategies for climate adaptation and resilience with 
respect to habitat connectivity and wildlife movement.
(7) A description of opportunities to expand partnerships 
with State, Tribal, and local governments, collaborative 
partnerships, and the public to carry out the purposes of this 
Act.
(8) A description of current transportation programs, 
funding mechanisms, and other authorities that could be used to 
conserve and improve habitat connectivity and wildlife 
movement.

SEC. 204. RESOURCE SHARING AND COORDINATION.

(a) Collaborative Partnerships.--
(1) In general.--The Secretaries may establish 
collaborative partnerships with entities described in paragraph 
(3) that are balanced, multi-stakeholder groups that are 
transparent, nonexclusive, and reasonably representative of 
affected interests to further the purposes of this Act that--
(A) establish agreement on--
(i) the role of Federal, State, Tribal, and 
local government agencies; and
(ii) how the Secretary concerned will 
coordinate efforts to conserve, restore, and 
manage habitat connectivity; and
(B) identify regional liaisons to represent the 
collective Federal agencies in working with State, 
Tribal, and local governments, collaborative 
partnerships, and the public to carry out such 
conservation, restoration, and management.
(2) Coordinators.--The Secretaries shall each appoint a 
national-level coordinator to work with the regional liaisons 
identified under paragraph (1)(B) and monitor implementation of 
the efforts of collaborative partnerships.
(3) Entities described.--The entities described in this 
paragraph are the following:
(A) Voluntary private landowners.
(B) Nonprofit organizations.
(C) Federal, State, Tribal, and local agencies.
(D) Elected officials.
(E) Stakeholder groups.
(b) Resource Sharing.--The Secretaries shall partner with, and 
provide technical assistance and other resources to, State, Tribal, and 
local governments, collaborative partnerships, and voluntary private 
landowners to support the purposes of this Act.
(c) Consultation.--The Secretaries shall implement this title in 
consultation with--
(1) other relevant Federal agencies through the 
Coordinating Committee;
(2) State, Tribal, and local governments, including fish 
and wildlife, natural resource management, and transportation 
agencies;
(3) with respect to any action that directly affects a 
private landowner, such private landowner;
(4) such other stakeholders as the Secretaries determine 
appropriate; and
(5) landscape- and seascape-scale partnerships, including--
(A) National Fish Habitat Partnerships;
(B) the Regional Fishery Management Councils 
established under section 302(a) of the Magnuson-
Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 
U.S.C. 1852(a));
(C) relevant regional ocean partnerships;
(D) the Climate Science Centers of the Department 
of the Interior; and
(E) Migratory Bird Joint Ventures.

SEC. 205. COORDINATING COMMITTEE.

(a) Coordinating Committee.--Not later than 180 days after the date 
of the enactment of this section, the Secretaries shall establish a 
coordinating committee.
(b) Membership.--The Coordinating Committee shall be composed of--
(1) the Secretary (or a designee);
(2) the Secretary of Transportation (or a designee);
(3) the Secretary of Agriculture (or a designee);
(4) the Secretary of Commerce (or a designee);
(5) the Secretary of Defense (or a designee);
(6) the Director of the Bureau of Indian Affairs (or a 
designee);
(7) the Director of the National Park Service (or a 
designee);
(8) the Director of the Bureau of Land Management (or a 
designee);
(9) the Executive Director of the Association of Fish and 
Wildlife Agencies (or a designee);
(10) 2 representatives of intertribal organizations 
representing Indian Tribes, to be appointed by the Secretary; 
and
(11) not more than 3 representatives of nongovernmental, 
science, or academic organizations with expertise in wildlife 
conservation and habitat connectivity, to be appointed by the 
Secretary in a manner that ensures that the membership of the 
Coordinating Committee is fair and balanced.
(c) Strategy for Prioritization.--Not later than 1 year after the 
date on which the Coordinating Committee is established, the 
Coordinating Committee shall develop a strategy--
(1) for nominating national wildlife corridors for 
designation under section 202;
(2) to support the fulfillment of the purposes of this Act;
(3) to ensure coordination with Federal, State, Tribal, and 
local governments and collaborative partnerships in conserving 
National Wildlife Corridors or habitat connectivity;
(4) to provide education or outreach regarding the benefits 
of National Wildlife Corridors and habitat connectivity; and
(5) such other measures as the Coordinating Committee 
determines necessary for implementation of this Act.

SEC. 206. EFFECT.

(a) Jurisdiction of States and Indian Tribes.--Nothing in this 
title affects the jurisdiction of a State or an Indian Tribe with 
respect to fish and wildlife management, including the regulation of 
hunting, fishing, and trapping, in a National Wildlife Corridor.
(b) Savings Clause.--Nothing in this section authorizes--
(1) any seizure of private property through eminent domain; 
or
(2) the imposition of any restriction on the use of private 
land without the consent of the landowner.
(c) Defense Waivers.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary of Defense may waive any 
requirement of this title with respect to a military 
installation if such Secretary determines that such waiver is 
necessary--
(A) to ensure the preparedness of the Armed Forces; 
or
(B) to support the military mission of the military 
installation.
(2) Public notice.--The Secretary of Defense shall publish 
each waiver issued under paragraph (1) unless such Secretary 
determines that such publication will have a negative effect on 
national security.

SEC. 207. REGULATIONS.

Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this 
section, the Secretaries shall issue such regulations as the 
Secretaries determine necessary to carry out this title.

TITLE III--WILDLIFE CORRIDOR GRANT PROGRAM ON NON-FEDERAL LAND AND 
WATER

SEC. 301. WILDLIFE CORRIDOR GRANT PROGRAM.

(a) In General.--The Secretary shall establish a wildlife movement 
grant program to encourage wildlife movement in accordance with this 
subsection.
(b) Grants.--Beginning not later than 2 years after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary, based on recommendations from the 
Coordinating Committee, shall make annual grants to 1 or more projects 
that--
(2) satisfy the purposes described in section 2(b); and
(3) increase habitat connectivity.
(c) Eligible Recipients.--A person or entity that is eligible to 
receive a grant under the grant program is--
(1) a voluntary private landowner or group of landowners;
(2) a State fish and wildlife agency or other State agency 
responsible for managing natural resources and wildlife;
(3) an Indian Tribe;
(4) a unit of local government;
(5) an agricultural cooperative;
(6) a water, irrigation, or rural water district or 
association, or other organization with water delivery 
authority (including acequias and land grant communities in the 
State of New Mexico);
(7) an institution of higher education;
(8) a Federal agency; and
(9) any group of entities described in paragraphs (1) 
through (8).
(d) Requirements.--In administering the grant program, the 
Secretary shall use criteria, guidelines, contracts, reporting 
requirements, and evaluation metrics developed by the Coordinating 
Committee.

TITLE IV--FUNDING

SEC. 401. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

(a) Science and Mapping of Wildlife Corridors and Habitat 
Connectivity.--There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary 
of the Interior to carry out title I $5,000,000 for fiscal year 2026 
and each fiscal year thereafter.
(b) Collaboration, Partnership, and Conservation of Wildlife 
Corridors and Habitat Connectivity on Federal Land and Water.--There is 
authorized to be appropriated to carry out title II for fiscal year 
2026 and each fiscal year thereafter--
(1) to the Secretary of the Interior, $20,000,000;
(2) to the Secretary of Transportation, $18,000,000;
(3) to the Secretary of Agriculture, $10,000,000;
(4) to the Secretary of Commerce, $9,000,000; and
(5) to the Secretary of Defense, $3,000,000.
(c) Wildlife Corridor Grant Program on Non-Federal Land and 
Water.--There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of the 
Interior to carry out title III $75,000,000 for fiscal year 2026 and 
each fiscal year thereafter. Each fiscal year, not less than 10 percent 
of the total funds shall be reserved for projects that directly 
conserve, restore, or enhance big game migration corridors or seasonal 
habitat.
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