Northwest Wetlands Voluntary Incentives Program Act

(e) Location of Projects.--An eligible entity may carry out a habitat restoration project on public, private, Tribal, or other land, determined to be appropriate by the Secretary, including agricultural land that provides habitats and values of benefit to wetlands- associated migratory birds, including waterfowl, shorebirds, waterbirds, and passerines. (f) Priority.--In awarding grants under the pilot program, the Secretary may give priority to eligible entities that intend to carry out habitat restoration projects-- (1) in locations where-- (A) migratory bird habitat is rapidly being lost; (B) human population growth is rapid; (C) recreational public access will be enhanced on public lands; or (D) dual habitat objectives for bird and salmonid populations will be increased; (2) that include a plan for long-term operation and maintenance; (3) that include performance or effective monitoring of project goals and ecosystem services; and (4) in accordance with subsection (i), that provide a non- Federal share of not less than 25 percent. (g) Use of Funds.-- (1) In general.--An eligible entity that receives a grant under the pilot program may use not more than 10 percent of grant funds for monitoring to determine project performance and habitat benefits of the habitat restoration project to be carried out by the eligible entity. (2) Timing.-- (A) In general.--An eligible entity that receives a grant under the pilot program shall use the grant funds not later than 4 years after the date on which the eligible entity receives the grant. (B) Unspent funds.--Any funds not used by an eligible entity within the time period described in subparagraph (A) shall be returned to the Secretary for use in carrying out the pilot program. (3) Planning costs; regular operation and maintenance.--An eligible entity that receives a grant under the pilot program-- (A) may use the grant funds to carry out activities relating to the planning, permitting, installing, or replacing of a habitat restoration project; and (B) may not use the grant funds to carry out regular operation and maintenance with respect to those habitat restoration projects. (h) Criteria.--The Secretary shall, in consultation with officials and entities described in subparagraphs (A) through (E) of section 2(2), establish criteria for the pilot program to help ensure that habitat restoration projects carried out under the pilot program accomplish the purpose of the pilot program described in subsection (b). (i) Non-Federal Share Requirements.--For purposes of subsection (f)(4), a non-Federal share provided for a grant under the pilot program shall meet the following requirements: (1) The non-Federal share is secured by the eligible entity not later than 2 years before the date on which the eligible entity submits an application under subsection (c). (2) The non-Federal share-- (A) is directly related to the applicable habitat restoration project; and (B) includes-- (i) cash or in-kind services; (ii) State or local government funding; (iii) private or other eligible matching funds (as defined by the Secretary); or (iv) planning, permitting, labor, including volunteer labor, appraisals, equipment rental, and material costs. (j) Administration.--The Secretary may enter into an agreement to manage the pilot program with an organization that offers grant management services. (k) Restriction.--In awarding a grant to an eligible entity under the pilot program, the Secretary may not provide a grant to carry out a habitat restoration project the purpose of which is to meet existing environmental mitigation or compliance obligations under Federal or State law. (l) Compliance.--A habitat restoration project awarded a grant under the pilot program shall comply with all applicable Federal and State law. (m) Effect.--Nothing in this section-- (1) preempts or affects any State water law or interstate compact governing water; or (2) interferes with private property rights. SEC. 4. REPORTS. Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report describing the implementation of this Act, including a description of each habitat restoration project that receives funding under the pilot program. SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. (a) In General.--There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out the pilot program $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030. (b) Administration.--Of the amounts made available to carry out the pilot program for each fiscal year, not more than 3 percent may be used for administrative costs of carrying out the pilot program. (c) Supplement, Not Supplant.--Amounts made available to carry out the pilot program shall supplement, and not supplant, funding for other activities conducted by the Secretary in an area in which a habitat restoration project is carried out. <all>