Wildlife Corridors and Habitat Connectivity Conservation Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Representative Beyer, Donald S. [D-VA-8]
Introduced
Summary
A National Wildlife Corridor System would create a federal program to map, designate, and manage habitat corridors so native species can move, adapt, and maintain genetic exchange. It pairs a USGS-led mapping effort, a multiagency Coordinating Committee, and a grants and funding strategy for work on Federal and non-Federal lands.
Show full summary
- Federal land managers would gain authority to designate corridors on Federal land and water by statute, rulemaking, or revised land-use plans. They would have to develop implementation strategies within 18 months, update regulations within 2 years, and manage corridors to maintain or restore connectivity while avoiding incompatible infrastructure unless necessary.
- States, Tribes, local governments, nonprofit partnerships, and private landowners could nominate corridors and access technical assistance and grants. The bill preserves State and Tribal fish and wildlife authority and bars eminent domain seizures or land-use restrictions without landowner consent, while allowing a Defense waiver for military readiness where needed.
- Science, mapping, and public planning would be centralized under the US Geological Survey Director, who would publish public maps and a corridor database within 2 years and deliver an assessment report on existing connectivity data and gaps. A Coordinating Committee would prioritize corridors at least every 5 years and report on progress and threats.
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this bill affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this bill and every other piece of legislation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
New corridor coordinators and rules
If enacted, the bill would require agencies to set up national coordinators, regional liaisons, and voluntary multi‑stakeholder partnerships to plan corridors. A Coordinating Committee must be created within 180 days and make a prioritization strategy within one year. The Secretaries would have 180 days to issue rules to carry out the title.
Defense waiver for military installations
If enacted, the bill would let the Secretary of Defense waive any title requirement for a military installation when needed for readiness or the mission. The Secretary must publish each waiver unless publication would harm national security. This could ease constraints on bases while reducing corridor protections in those places.
Private landowner rights and help
If enacted, agencies would have to consult any private landowner before taking an action that directly affects that owner's land. The Secretaries must offer technical assistance and other resources to voluntary landowners and local governments. The bill would not allow seizure of private land or new land‑use restrictions without the owner's consent, and States and Tribes would keep their fish and wildlife authority.
Annual agency funding for corridors
If enacted, the bill would authorize annual funding for corridor work starting in fiscal 2026: $20 million to Interior, $18 million to Transportation, $10 million to Agriculture, $9 million to Commerce, and $3 million to Defense. These amounts would support agency collaboration, partnerships, and conservation on Federal land and water.
Funding for corridor science and maps
If enacted, the bill would authorize $5 million each year starting in fiscal 2026 for the Interior Department to run a science and mapping program. That work would build a public database and maps and support research on connectivity, climate impacts, and data gaps.
New grants for wildlife corridors
If enacted, the bill would create a wildlife movement grant program and authorize about $75 million each year starting in fiscal 2026. Grants would begin no later than two years after enactment and go to private landowners, Tribes, States, local governments, water districts, universities, Federal agencies, and consortia. At least 10% of each year's funds must be reserved for big game migration or seasonal habitat projects.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Beyer, Donald S. [D-VA-8]
VA • D
Cosponsors
Buchanan
FL • R
Sponsored 4/22/2026
Lofgren
CA • D
Sponsored 4/22/2026
Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1]
PA • R
Sponsored 4/22/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov