Wildlife Corridors and Habitat Connectivity Conservation Act of 2026

Bill Number: H.R. 8438
Origin Chamber: House
Congress: 119th Congress, Session 2
Policy Area: Environmental Protection
Status: Introduced
Latest Action: 2026-04-22: Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committees on Agriculture, Transportation and Infrastructure, and Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Last Updated: 2026-06-03T08:07:54Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The Wildlife Corridors and Habitat Connectivity Conservation Act of 2026 aims to protect and restore pathways (called corridors) that allow native fish, wildlife, and plants to move between habitats. This supports species diversity, adaptation to climate change, migration, and recovery from threats like habitat loss or fragmentation. It promotes coordinated planning across federal, state, tribal, local, and private efforts.

Key Provisions

Title I: Science and Mapping

Establishes a program led by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Director to map wildlife corridors, share data with partners (federal agencies, states, tribes, NGOs, academics), conduct research on climate impacts and development effects, and produce public maps and reports within 2 years.

Title II: National Wildlife Corridor System on Federal Lands/Waters
Creates a National Wildlife Corridor System on federal lands/waters, designated by statute, rules, or land management plans.
Allows nominations from states, tribes, locals, NGOs; Coordinating Committee nominates every 5 years.
Management requires maintaining connectivity, limiting disruptive development, updating plans, withdrawing lands from mining/leasing/disposal (subject to existing rights), road mitigation (e.g., wildlife bridges), and education.
Establishes a Coordinating Committee with reps from Interior, Transportation, Agriculture, Commerce, Defense, tribes, and experts to prioritize and report to Congress every 5 years.
Promotes partnerships, resource sharing, and consultations.

Title III: Grants for Non-Federal Lands

Creates a grant program for projects enhancing connectivity on private, state, tribal, or local lands. Eligible recipients include landowners, states, tribes, locals, co-ops, universities, and others; at least 10% reserved for big game corridors.

Title IV: Funding

Authorizes $5M/year for mapping (Interior); $60M/year total for federal corridors (split across agencies); $75M/year for grants (Interior), starting FY2026.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

Introduces a new national system for designating and managing wildlife corridors on federal lands, integrating into existing land use plans (e.g., BLM, Forest Service, NPS, FWS).
Mandates plan revisions to prioritize corridors and withdraws designated areas from new mining, leasing, or disposal.
Requires agency coordination via a new committee and updates to regulations/policies within 2 years.
Adds voluntary grants for non-federal lands, not previously authorized at this scale.
Preexisting protected areas (e.g., wilderness, parks) retain stricter rules if conflicting.

Potential Impacts

Government Agencies: Increases duties for Interior (lead), Agriculture, Commerce, Defense, Transportation; requires new strategies, mappings, consultations, and reporting; provides dedicated funding.
Citizens and Landowners: Voluntary participation emphasized; no eminent domain or forced restrictions on private land; potential benefits from grants, road safety improvements, and education.
Wildlife and Ecosystems: Enhanced connectivity could aid species at risk of extinction (e.g., 40% of U.S. animals), climate adaptation, and biodiversity.
No direct international relations impacts noted.

Main Stakeholders Affected

Federal Agencies: Interior (FWS, USGS, NPS, BLM, BIA), Agriculture (USFS), Commerce (NOAA), Defense (military installations), Transportation (highways).
States, Tribes, Locals: Fish/wildlife agencies, transportation depts.; nomination/consultation roles; grant access.
Private Sector: Voluntary landowners, NGOs, academics, co-ops; eligible for grants/partnerships.
Public: Benefits from safer roads, conserved habitats; access to maps/data.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

Property Rights: Explicit savings clause prohibits eminent domain or unconsented restrictions on private land, aligning with takings clause concerns.
State/Tribal Authority: Preserves jurisdiction over hunting/fishing; emphasizes voluntary collaboration.
Military Flexibility: Defense Secretary can waive requirements for national security/preparedness, with public notice unless sensitive.
Administrative: Multi-agency coordination via committee; rulemaking deadlines (180 days); integrates with existing laws (e.g., Endangered Species Act, Wilderness Act) using "more restrictive" rule for conflicts.
Political: Bipartisan sponsors; builds on state actions (83 laws since 2019); focuses on science-based, voluntary measures to minimize controversy.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Beyer, Donald S. [D-VA-8]

Cosponsors (4)

Rep. Buchanan, Vern [R-FL-16], Rep. Lofgren, Zoe [D-CA-18], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Friedman, Laura [D-CA-30]

Recent Actions

2026-04-22: Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committees on Agriculture, Transportation and Infrastructure, and Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
2026-04-22: Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committees on Agriculture, Transportation and Infrastructure, and Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
2026-04-22: Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committees on Agriculture, Transportation and Infrastructure, and Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
2026-04-22: Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committees on Agriculture, Transportation and Infrastructure, and Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
2026-04-22: Introduced in House
2026-04-22: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

Wildlife Corridors and Habitat Connectivity Conservation Act of 2026 — issued 2026-04-22 — PDF (32 pages)