What does Preamble of Wildlife Movement Through Partnerships Act of 2025 do?

This bill is formally titled 'To establish the Wildlife Movement and Movement Area Grant Program and the State and Tribal Migration Research Program, and for other purposes.'

What does SHORT TITLE. of Wildlife Movement Through Partnerships Act of 2025 do?

This bill is formally titled the Wildlife Movement Through Partnerships Act of 2025.

What does PURPOSE. of Wildlife Movement Through Partnerships Act of 2025 do?

This Act aims to provide financial and technical assistance to improve habitat quality in wildlife movement areas. The Act seeks to identify and conserve these movement areas using scientific methods and expertise from State and Tribal wildlife agencies. It intends to coordinate efforts with existing initiatives including Secretarial Order 3362, the wildlife crossings pilot program, and the Migratory Big Game Initiative. Secretarial Order 3362, issued February 9, 2018, focuses on improving habitat quality in Western big-game winter range and migration corridors.

What does DEFINITIONS. of Wildlife Movement Through Partnerships Act of 2025 do?

This section defines terms used throughout the Act. “Big game” is defined as native large mammal species like deer, elk, and moose, with regulated take methods. “Connectivity” refers to the degree of wildlife movement within and among habitats. “Eligible recipient” includes state and tribal agencies, transportation departments, nonprofits, higher education institutions, and county governments. “Federal land” is land or water managed by relevant agencies. The “Foundation” is the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. “Indian Tribe” has the meaning defined in the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act. “Movement area” includes areas wildlife frequently use for travel or colonization, or seasonal habitats with documented migration. “Relevant agencies” encompass the Department of the Interior, Department of Agriculture, and Department of Transportation. “Wildlife” is defined as native terrestrial vertebrate species.

What does WILDLIFE MOVEMENT AND MOVEMENT AREA GRANT PROGRAM. of Wildlife Movement Through Partnerships Act of 2025 do?

This section establishes the "Wildlife Movement and Movement Area Grant Program," a non-regulatory program administered by the Foundation through a cooperative agreement with the Secretary. The grant program's purpose is to fund projects that improve or conserve habitat quality in movement areas, including actions like securing habitat leases and reducing human-wildlife vehicle collisions. Eligible recipients must submit proposals identifying movement areas and obtain written support from a State or Tribal fish and wildlife agency. The Federal share of project costs generally cannot exceed 90 percent, with a corresponding non-Federal share of at least 10 percent, but this may be waived for projects benefiting Indian Tribes, historically disadvantaged communities, or areas of persistent poverty. The Foundation will receive advance payments of available funds on October 1 of each fiscal year and invest those amounts. The Foundation is required to report to several Secretaries and Congress on the program's projects and conservation successes at least once every two years. The Act authorizes appropriations for the grant program for fiscal years 2026 through 2031, with at least 50 percent of funds dedicated to big game movement areas.

What does STATE AND TRIBAL MIGRATION RESEARCH PROGRAM. of Wildlife Movement Through Partnerships Act of 2025 do?

This section establishes the "State and Tribal Migration Research Program" to provide funds to State fish and wildlife agencies and Indian Tribes. The program will fund data collection and analysis related to the identification, characteristics, or management of movement areas. The Science Applications program of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service will administer the funds. The program is authorized to receive appropriations for fiscal years 2026 through 2031.

What does PARTNERS FOR FISH AND WILDLIFE PROGRAM. of Wildlife Movement Through Partnerships Act of 2025 do?

This section amends the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Act. It modifies Section 4 of the Act to designate the program as the 'Program'. It allows the use of Program funds to provide technical assistance to other federal agencies for voluntary programs focused on migration corridor and seasonal habitat conservation on private and Tribal land. It reauthorizes Section 5 of the Act, extending the authorization period from 2019 through 2023 to 2026 through 2031.

What does USGS WILDLIFE CORRIDOR MAPPING. of Wildlife Movement Through Partnerships Act of 2025 do?

This section establishes support for a Corridor Mapping Team within the United States Geological Survey. The Team will provide technical assistance to Federal agencies, States, and Indian Tribes. Assistance is provided based on priorities and requirements of States and Indian Tribes. The Team will map movement areas using existing Global Positioning System data or other credible scientific information. The Team will also assess or research movement areas.

What does USGS EXISTING EFFORTS. of Wildlife Movement Through Partnerships Act of 2025 do?

This section directs the Director of the United States Geological Survey (USGS) to collaborate with Federal, State, and Indian Tribe agencies to map movement areas. The USGS must protect sensitive information related to private property, individual locations, and wildlife to prevent poaching and unfair chase. The USGS Director is required to annually publish reports on analyses of migration corridors, seasonal habitats, and connectivity areas. Efforts should incorporate data with existing State programs and use existing published maps where practicable. The Secretary must submit reports to Congress every two years on projects funded under this section, detailing their conservation value. Section 2 of the Act of September 2, 1960, is amended to authorize appropriations for fiscal years 2026 through 2031. At least 50% of funds appropriated for this Act must be used for projects that improve habitat quality and promote connectivity for big game and other wildlife.

What does COORDINATION. of Wildlife Movement Through Partnerships Act of 2025 do?

This section establishes coordination mechanisms for activities related to this Act and its amendments. The Secretary is required to appoint a Senior Executive Service employee with experience in big game movement to serve as a coordinator within the Office of the Secretary. The coordinator will advise and assist state and tribal agencies, federal agencies, and the Foundation. The coordinator must maintain a summary of activities and their results. Relevant agencies' secretaries (or their representatives) must regularly convene to coordinate actions and funding across federal agencies and streamline coordination with states, tribes, and non-governmental partners. Appropriations are authorized for fiscal years 2026 through 2031 to carry out this section.

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Wildlife Movement Through Partnerships Act of 2025

Last updated: 1/23/2025 · Introduced: 1/23/2025

Author: Ryan Zinke (R-MT)

TL;DR (AI)

This bill establishes a grant program to fund projects that improve or conserve habitat quality in wildlife movement areas, prioritizing big game species and offering waivers for projects benefiting Indian Tribes or disadvantaged communities.
It creates a State and Tribal Migration Research Program to fund data collection and analysis related to identifying and managing wildlife movement areas.
The bill amends the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Act to allow the program to provide technical assistance to federal agencies and reauthorizes funding through 2031.
It supports a United States Geological Survey (USGS) Corridor Mapping Team to provide technical assistance, map movement areas using scientific data, and assess their characteristics.
The legislation includes provisions to protect sensitive wildlife location information, coordinate efforts across federal agencies and with state and tribal partners, and ensures that the Act does not restrict agricultural practices, private property rights, or public access for recreational activities.

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Includes provisions on preamble, short title., and 9 more.

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