Habitat Connectivity on Working Lands Act of 2025
Sponsored By: Representative Rep. Vasquez, Gabe [D-NM-2]
In Committee
Summary
This bill directs USDA conservation programs to prioritize and fund habitat conservation that improves _habitat connectivity and big‑game migration corridors_. It reshapes CRP, EQIP, CSP and RCPP rules and payments to reduce fragmentation on working lands and support tools like virtual fencing.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Higher CRP rental cap for landowners
If enacted, the annual cap on Conservation Reserve Program rental payments per landholding would rise to $125,000, up from $50,000. Landowners and producers could receive up to $75,000 more each year, subject to the new cap. The change would take effect upon enactment.
More cost-share for CRP grasslands
If enacted, EQIP and CSP could help pay for planning, materials, equipment, and work on CRP-enrolled, ecologically significant grasslands. Payments could cover design, installation, labor, management, maintenance, and training. You could not get EQIP or CSP money for the same practice if another federal program already pays for it, except CRP. The bill would add wildlife habitat connectivity as an EQIP priority. Emergency grazing and haying access on CRP grasslands would not be changed by these priorities.
USDA push for wildlife corridors
If enacted, USDA could encourage conservation of landscape and water corridors across its programs to help big game and other wildlife move between habitats. The bill would add clear definitions for habitat connectivity and big game species. These steps would guide program choices and support more consistent decisions.
Support for virtual fencing on ranches
If enacted, USDA would be required to incorporate, to the maximum extent practicable, nonstructural livestock methods like virtual fencing into conservation practice standards. USDA would provide technical help so landowners can use these methods to support habitat connectivity. The bill would also fund research and extension on virtual fencing, including adoption barriers and effects on riparian areas and big game habitats.
USDA partnerships can fund corridors
If enacted, the Regional Conservation Partnership Program would explicitly include projects to restore and enhance wildlife habitat connectivity and migration corridors, with a focus on big game. This would let more partners apply for USDA support for corridor work. The change would take effect upon enactment.
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Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Rep. Vasquez, Gabe [D-NM-2]
NM • D
Cosponsors
Rep. Zinke, Ryan K. [R-MT-1]
MT • R
Sponsored 3/18/2025
Rep. Leger Fernandez, Teresa [D-NM-3]
NM • D
Sponsored 3/18/2025
Rep. Davids, Sharice [D-KS-3]
KS • D
Sponsored 3/3/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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