Northwest Wetlands Voluntary Incentives Program Act
Sponsored By: Senator Ron Wyden
Introduced
Summary
A voluntary regional grant program to restore and maintain wetlands for migratory birds. The bill would create a Pacific Northwest pilot that offers competitive grants and technical help for habitat restoration across the Oregon and Washington coastal zone and the Columbia River Basin, open to Tribes, landowners, nonprofits, and government agencies.
Show full summary
- Landowners, Tribal governments, nonprofits, and Federal or State agencies could apply for competitive grants and grant-funded technical assistance to plan and build habitat restoration projects on public, private, Tribal, or agricultural land.
- Projects can fund water infrastructure and management or vegetative habitat work aimed at shorebirds, waterfowl, waterbirds, and passerines, and grant funds may be used for planning and installation but not for routine operation and maintenance. Grants must be spent within four years.
- The pilot would authorize $10.0 million per year from 2026 through 2030 and requires grant applicants to provide at least a 25 percent non-Federal match.
*Authorizes up to $50.0 million in funding authority from 2026 through 2030 and would create new federal spending authority if those amounts are appropriated.*
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Grants get $10 million yearly
If enacted, Congress could fund the pilot with $10 million each year for fiscal years 2026 through 2030. Each year, not more than 3 percent could pay program administrative costs. The money must supplement, and not replace, other Secretary habitat restoration funding. Actual grants would depend on future appropriations.
New Northwest migratory bird grants
If enacted, the Interior Secretary would set up a voluntary Pacific Northwest migratory bird pilot program. The program would give competitive grants and technical help to eligible groups. Eligible groups could include federal, state, local, and Tribal governments, nonprofits, conservation districts, and private landowners. Projects could fund water infrastructure and vegetation work on public, private, Tribal, or agricultural land. Grants could not be used to meet existing mitigation or compliance obligations.
Annual reports to Congress
If enacted, the Interior Secretary would send Congress a report about the pilot program. The first report would be due within 180 days after enactment. The Secretary would then send a report every year. Reports must describe each habitat restoration project that received funding.
Grant rules, limits, and matching
If enacted, grants could pay for planning, permitting, installing, or replacing projects. Grants could not pay for regular operation and maintenance. Applicants that provide at least a 25% non-Federal match could get priority. The match must be secured no later than two years before applying and can be cash or in-kind. Up to 10 percent of a grant could pay for ecosystem benefit studies and up to 10 percent for voluntary conservation easements. Grant funds must be used within four years or be returned.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Ron Wyden
OR • D
Cosponsors
Mike Crapo
ID • R
Sponsored 5/6/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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