,,ii #aahth ,,congress #b;d ,session ,s4 #diec ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,august #a1 #bjbd,mr4 ,padilla introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,environment and ,public ,works ,a ,,bill ,to establish the ,wildlife ,movement and ,movement ,area ,grant ,program and the ,state and ,tribal ,migration ,research ,program1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,wildlife ,movement ,through ,partnerships ,act4 #b4 ,purpose ,the purpose of this ,act is to provide financial and technical assistance for the purposes of promoting connectivity by improving habitat quality in movement areas by migratory big game and other wildlife-- 7#a7 to identify and conserve movement areas by methods of science and management expertise employed by ,state and ,tribal wildlife agencies and other wildlife professionals2 and 7#b7 to coordinate and advance the purposes of-- 7,a7 ,secretarial ,order #ccfb1 entitled ,improving ,habitat ,quality in ,western ,big-,game ,winter ,range and ,migration ,corridors and issued by the ,secretary on ,february #i1 #bjah2 7,b7 the wildlife crossings pilot program established under section #aga7;b7 of title #bc1 ,united ,states ,code2 and 7,c7 the ,migratory ,big ,game ,initiative of the ,department of ,agriculture4 #c4 ,definitions ,in this ,act3 7#a7 ,big game ,the term big game means native species of large mammals1 including deer1 elk1 pronghorn1 wild sheep1 and moose1 for which ,state and ,tribal wildlife agencies have established regulated means and methods of take4 7#b7 ,connectivity ,the term connectivity means the degree to which a species of wildlife moves within and among areas of its habitat4 7#c7 ,eligible recipient ,the term eligible recipient means-- 7,a7 a ,state fish and wildlife agency or other ,state agency responsible for managing natural resources or wildlife2 7,b7 a ,state department of transportation2 7,c7 an ,indian ,tribe2 7,d7 a nonprofit organization described in section #eja7;c7 of the ,internal ,revenue ,code of #aihf and exempt from tax under section #eja7;a7 of such ,code1 or a coalition of those organizations1 including an organization that represents private landowners2 7,e7 an institution of higher education 7as defined in section #aja7;a7 of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajja7;a7772 7,f7 a national or regional association representing a ,state or ,tribal fish and wildlife agency2 7,g7 a ,federal agency that may carry out projects that would support the purpose of this ,act2 and 7,h7 a county government4 7#d7 ,federal land ,the term ,federal land means land or water managed by the relevant agencies4 7#e7 ,foundation ,the term ,foundation means the ,national ,fish and ,wildlife ,foundation established by section #b7;a7 of the ,national ,fish and ,wildlife ,foundation ,establishment ,act 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #cgja7;a774 7#f7 ,indian ,tribe ,the term ,indian ,tribe has the meaning given the term in section #d of the ,indian ,self-,determination and ,education ,assistance ,act 7#be ,u4,s4,c4 #ecjd74 7#g7 ,movement area ,the term movement area means-- 7,a7 an area wildlife frequently use1 or could frequently use1 to move1 including for travel within1 or colonization1 of additional habitat by wildlife that occurs seasonally or more frequently in and around corridors2 or 7,b7 seasonal habitat where migration or other natural movement of big game and other wildlife has been observed and documented by-- 7i7 a ,state or ,tribal wildlife agency2 or 7ii7 7,i7 a scientific report published in a peer-reviewed professional publication2 or 7,,ii7 any other professional scientific publication recognized by a ,state or ,tribal wildlife agency4 7#h7 ,relevant agencies ,the term relevant agencies means-- 7,a7 the ,department of the ,interior1 including the ,united ,states ,fish and ,wildlife ,service1 the ,bureau of ,indian ,affairs1 the ,bureau of ,land ,management1 the ,national ,park ,service1 and the ,united ,states ,geological ,survey2 7,b7 the ,department of ,agriculture1 including the ,forest ,service1 the ,natural ,resources ,conservation ,service1 and the ,farm ,service ,agency2 and 7,c7 the ,department of ,transportation4 7#i7 ,secretary ,the term ,secretary means the ,secretary of the ,interior4 7#aj7 ,wildlife ,the term wildlife means native terrestrial vertebrate species4 #d4 ,wildlife ,movement and ,movement ,area ,grant ,program 7a7 ,establishment ,not later than #ahj days after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary shall establish a nonregulatory program1 to be known as the ,wildlife ,movement and ,movement ,area ,grant ,program 7referred to in this section as the grant program74 7b7 ,purpose ,the purpose of the grant program is to fund projects that improve or conserve habitat quality in movement areas1 including projects that-- 7#a7 secure habitat leases1 fence modification1 non-,federal land acquisition1 conservation easements1 improved hydrology1 human-wildlife vehicle collision reduction1 and road and infrastructure modification2 7#b7 arrange voluntary collaboration with landowners2 and 7#c7 coordinate efforts among ,state and ,tribal governments1 including departments of transportation and other relevant agencies4 7c7 ,cooperative agreement ,not later than #a year after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary shall enter into a cooperative agreement with the ,foundation to administer the grant program for purposes of providing competitive matching grants in varying amounts to eligible recipients4 7d7 ,grants 7#a7 ,proposals 7,a7 ,in general ,not later than #ahj days after the date on which amounts are made available to carry out the grant program1 and not less frequently than annually thereafter1 the ,foundation1 in consultation with the ,secretary1 shall issue a request for proposals for projects to fund under the grant program4 7,b7 ,requirements ,a proposal submitted to the ,foundation by an eligible recipient for funding under the grant program shall identify #a or more movement areas where habitat improvement will be achieved1 subject to the condition that the proposal shall include written acknowledgment of support from a ,state or ,tribal fish and wildlife agency with jurisdiction over the movement area in which the proposal will be carried out4 7#b7 ,cost sharing 7,a7 ,federal share ,except as provided in subparagraph 7,c71 the ,federal share of the cost of a project funded under the grant program shall not exceed #ij percent of the total cost of the project4 7,b7 ,non-,federal share ,the non-,federal share of the cost of a project funded under the grant program-- 7i7 except as provided in subparagraph 7,c71 shall be not less than #aj percent of the total cost of the project2 and 7ii7 may be provided in cash or in-kind1 as determined by the ,foundation4 7,c7 ,waiver ,the ,foundation may waive the requirements under subparagraphs 7,a7 and 7,b7 for projects that would benefit ,indian ,tribes1 historically disadvantaged communities1 or areas of persistent poverty1 as determined by the ,foundation4 7e7 ,requirement ,after the date on which the ,secretary enters into a cooperative agreement with the ,foundation under subsection 7c71 any amounts received by the ,foundation under this section shall be subject to the ,national ,fish and ,wildlife ,foundation ,establishment ,act 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #cgja et seq471 excluding section #aj7;a7 of that ,act 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #cgji7;a774 7f7 ,priority ,in funding projects under the grant program1 the ,foundation may give priority to proposals that are-- 7#a7 submitted by an eligible recipient described in section #c7c77;,f72 or 7#b7 jointly submitted by multiple eligible recipients4 7g7 ,funding ,after the date on which the ,secretary enters into a cooperative agreement with the ,foundation under subsection 7c71 the ,foundation shall-- 7#a7 7,a7 for each fiscal year1 receive amounts made available to carry out the grant program in an advance payment of the entire amount on ,october #a1 or as soon as practicable thereafter1 of that fiscal year1 to remain available until expended2 and 7,b7 invest and reinvest those amounts for the benefit of the grant program2 and 7#b7 otherwise administer the grant program to support partnerships between the public and private sectors in accordance with this section4 7h7 ,report ,not less frequently than once every #b years1 the ,foundation shall submit to the ,secretary1 the ,secretary of ,agriculture1 the ,secretary of ,transportation1 and ,congress a report on projects funded under the grant program and the contribution of those projects to conservation successes4 7i7 ,authorization of appropriations 7#a7 ,in general ,there are authorized to be appropriated to the ,secretary to carry out the grant program such sums as are necessary for each of fiscal years #bjbe through #bjcj4 7#b7 ,big game ,of the amounts made available to carry out the grant program for each fiscal year1 not less than #ej percent shall be used for projects that directly conserve1 restore1 or enhance big game movement areas4 #e4 ,state and ,tribal ,migration ,research ,program 7a7 ,establishment ,not later than #ahj days after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary shall establish a program1 to be known as the ,state and ,tribal ,migration ,research ,program 7referred to in this section as the program71 to provide funds directly to ,state fish and wildlife agencies and ,indian ,tribes through an agreed on process between ,states1 ,indian ,tribes1 and the relevant agencies1 to collect and analyze data on the identification1 characteristics1 or management of movement areas4 7b7 ,administration ,funds provided under this section shall be administered by the ,science ,applications program of the ,united ,states ,fish and ,wildlife ,service4 7c7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there are authorized to be appropriated to the ,secretary to carry out the program such sums as are necessary for each of fiscal years #bjbe through #bjcj4 #f4 ,partners for ,fish and ,wildlife ,program 7a7 ,in general ,section #d of the ,partners for ,fish and ,wildlife ,act 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #cggc7 is amended-- 7#a7 in the matter preceding paragraph 7#a71 by striking ,the ,secretary shall carry out the ,partners for ,fish and ,wildlife ,program and inserting the following3 7a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall carry out the ,partners for ,fish and ,wildlife ,program 7referred to in this section as the ,program7 2 and 7#b7 by adding at the end the following3 7b7 ,use of funds ,where prudent and necessary1 funds under the ,program may be used to provide technical assistance to other ,federal agencies to implement voluntary programs with a focus on migration corridor or seasonal habitat conservation efforts on private and ,tribal land4 4 7b7 ,reauthorization ,section #e of the ,partners for ,fish and ,wildlife ,act 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #cggd7 is amended by striking #bjai through #bjbc and inserting #bjbe through #bjcj4 #g4 ,,usgs ,wildlife ,cooridor ,mapping ,the ,secretary1 acting through the ,director of the ,united ,states ,geological ,survey1 shall support the continuation of a ,corridor ,mapping ,team to provide technical assistance1 as prioritized and required by ,states and ,indian ,tribes1 to ,federal agencies1 ,states1 and ,indian ,tribes working-- 7#a7 to map movement areas using existing ,global ,positioning ,system data or other sources of credible scientific information2 and 7#b7 to assess or research movement areas4 #h4 ,,usgs existing efforts 7a7 ,,usgs existing efforts 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,director of the ,united ,states ,geological ,survey shall work with ,federal and ,state agencies and ,indian ,tribes to build on existing efforts to map movement areas4 7#b7 ,protection of information ,in carrying out this subsection1 the ,director of the ,united ,states ,geological ,survey1 in cooperation with ,federal and ,state agencies and ,indian ,tribes1 and consistent with rights afforded to sovereign nations and applicable ,state law1 shall carry out necessary measures-- 7,a7 to protect sensitive information with respect to the protection of private property rights and the precise locations of individuals2 and 7,b7 to prevent the poaching1 illegal taking1 and unfair chase of wildlife4 7#c7 ,reports2 published migration maps 7,a7 ,in general ,annually1 the ,director of the ,united ,states ,geological ,survey shall publish a report on completed analyses of mapped migration corridors1 seasonal habitats1 and connectivity areas4 7,b7 ,requirement ,to the extent practicable1 all efforts shall be made to incorporate data with existing ,state programs and use existing published maps described in subparagraph 7,a74 7#d7 ,reports ,not less frequently than once every #b years1 the ,secretary shall submit to ,congress a report on projects funded under this subsection1 including a description of the conservation value of each project4 7b7 ,authorization of appropriations ,section #b of the ,act of ,september #b1 #aifj 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #gec;b71 is amended to read as follows3 #b4 ,authorization of appropriations 7a7 ,in general ,there are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this ,act such sums as are necessary for each of fiscal years #bjbe through #bjcj4 7b7 ,set-,aside ,of the amounts made available to carry out this ,act for each fiscal year1 not less than #ej percent shall be used for projects that promote connectivity by improving habitat quality in movement areas of big game and other wildlife4 4 #i4 ,coordination 7a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall appoint a ,senior ,executive ,service employee1 who has experience with big game movement1 to serve in the ,office of the ,secretary as coordinator of activities and necessary staff to carry out this ,act and the amendments made by this ,act4 7b7 ,authority and responsibilities ,the ,senior ,executive ,service employee appointed under subsection 7a7 shall-- 7#a7 advise and assist-- 7,a7 ,state and ,tribal agencies and other eligible recipients2 7,b7 relevant ,federal agencies and programs2 and 7,c7 the ,foundation2 and 7#b7 maintain an informative summary of activities1 and the results of those activities1 carried out under this ,act4 7c7 ,interagency coordination ,the ,secretaries1 or their authorized representatives1 of the relevant agencies shall regularly convene-- 7#a7 to coordinate actions and funding across ,federal agencies for programs under this ,act and the amendments made by this ,act2 and 7#b7 to streamline coordination with ,states1 ,indian ,tribes1 and non-governmental partners with respect to those actions and that funding4 7d7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section such sums as are necessary for each of fiscal years #bjbe through #bjcj4 #aj4 ,requirement2 savings provision 7a7 ,requirement ,no funds obligated under this ,act or an amendment made by this ,act shall be applied in a manner that requires non-voluntary changes in agricultural or domestic livestock production1 permitted forestry practices1 or access to valid existing rights1 such as for energy development and mining1 or water rights1 consistent with ,federal organic ,acts and associated regulations4 7b7 ,savings provision ,nothing in this ,act or an amendment made by this ,act-- 7#a7 enlarges or diminishes the authority1 jurisdiction1 or responsibility of a ,state to manage1 control1 or regulate fish and wildlife under the law and regulations of the ,state on land and waters within the ,state1 including on ,federal land2 7#b7 modifies or abrogates a treaty with any ,indian ,tribe or enlarges or diminishes the authority1 jurisdiction1 or responsibility of an ,indian ,tribe to manage1 control1 or regulate wildlife on ,tribal land2 7#c7 impacts the private property or privacy rights of landowners2 7#d7 restricts or reduces public access for hunting1 angling1 recreational shooting1 or other compatible types of outdoor recreation2 7#e7 affects military readiness for training occurring on land of the ,department of the ,interior reserved by the ,department of the ,defense2 7#f7 constitutes a ,federal land designation or federally designated migration route1 an alteration or removal of such a designation1 or a directive to impact pre-existing administrative or management authority in any manner2 or 7#g7 amends or otherwise affects any other ,federal law 7including regulations7 relating to the conservation of native species4