Bill · S. 1615· Senate(119-S-1615)
Northwest Wetlands Voluntary Incentives Program Act
- Introduced
- 5/6/2025
- Last activity
- 5/6/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
- Sponsored by
- Ron Wyden
- Cosponsors
- - 0 - 1
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill creates the Pacific Northwest Migratory Bird Conservation pilot program. It allows the Secretary of the Interior to give competitive grants and technical help to various groups to fix and maintain bird habitats. The program focuses on the Columbia River Basin and the Oregon and Washington Coastal Zone. It targets habitats for shorebirds, waterfowl, and other birds that depend on wetlands. Funding is authorized at $10 million per year from 2026 through 2030.
Yes· 3 of 28
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?+8
Specifically targets the restoration and maintenance of critical migratory bird habitats.
Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests?+6
Provides resources for the scientific management and restoration of public and private wetlands.
Would Native Americans be better off under this?+4
Explicitly includes Tribal governments and organizations as eligible entities for grants.
The opposite
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?-2
Increases federal spending by authorizing a new grant program.
Does this reduce what the federal government owes?-1
Authorizes new government spending of $10 million per year.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Support for Diverse Groups: The bill allows a wide range of "eligible entities" to receive grants, including Tribal governments, nonprofit organizations, conservation districts, and private landowners (Section 2(2)).
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Environmental Restoration: The program funds water infrastructure and vegetative projects to enhance and restore habitats for migratory birds (Section 3(d)).
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Increased Public Access: The Secretary can prioritize grants for projects in areas where public access to recreational land is currently limited (Section 3(f)(1)(C)).
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Financial Assistance for Conservation: Eligible entities can receive funding for planning, permitting, and installing restoration projects (Section 3(g)(3)(A)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Funding Limitations: Grant recipients cannot use the funds for the regular operation and maintenance of the projects (Section 3(g)(3)(B)).
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Financial Burden for Applicants: The Secretary may prioritize projects that provide a non-Federal share of at least 25 percent (Section 3(f)(4)).
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Strict Funding Deadlines: Any grant funds not used within 4 years of receiving the grant must be returned to the Secretary (Section 3(g)(2)(B)).
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Limited Use of Funds: Only a small portion of grant funds (up to 10 percent) can be used for determining ecosystem service benefits or for voluntary conservation easements (Section 3(g)(1)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Native Americans+4Good For Rural Residents+4Good For Farmers+3Good For Billionaires+1Good For Business Owners+1Good For Children+1Good For Gun Owners+1Good For High Income Households+1Good For High Net Worth Individuals+1Good For Low Income Households+1Good For Middle Aged+1Good For Middle Class Households+1Good For Retirees+1Good For Seniors+1Good For Students+1Good For Ultra High Net Worth Individuals+1Good For Union Workers+1Good For Urban Residents+1Good For Young Adults+1
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Environmental Protections+8Improves Public Land Management+6Improves Rural Development+3Reduces Carbon Emissions+2
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+2Increases Federal Power+1
- Education And Technology
- Increases Scientific Research Funding+2
- Economy And Finance
- Increases Job Creation+2Improves Economic Growth+1Reduces Government Spending-2Reduces National Debt-1
- 5/6/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
Mike CrapoRepublican · Idaho