Northwest Wetlands Voluntary Incentives Program Act

Grants for Pacific Northwest habitat projects

If enacted, the bill would create a Northwest wetlands pilot to fund habitat restoration for migratory birds in the Oregon and Washington coastal zones and the Columbia River Basin. The Secretary, through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and with Migratory Bird Joint Ventures, would run competitive grants and technical help. Eligible applicants would include State and local governments, Tribal governments and organizations, nonprofits, conservation and irrigation districts, and private landowners. The program would be authorized $10,000,000 each fiscal year for 2026 through 2030. The Secretary could favor projects that provide at least 25% non‑Federal matching funds (secured no later than two years before applying). No more than 3% of program funds could pay administration each year, no more than 10% of a grant could pay monitoring, and grant money must be used within four years or returned. Grants could pay planning, permitting, installation, or replacement of habitat work but not routine operation or maintenance, and they could not be used to meet existing Federal or State mitigation or compliance obligations.