Wildlife Movement Through Partnerships Act

This bill establishes two new programs to help wildlife move between habitats, provides funding for mapping migration routes, and coordinates federal efforts, all while ensuring voluntary participation and protecting existing rights. It creates the Wildlife Movement and Movement Area Grant Program to fund projects that improve habitat in movement areas, and the State and Tribal Migration Research Program to directly fund data collection on wildlife movement. It also amends the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program to allow technical assistance for migration corridor work, directs the USGS to continue mapping movement areas, and appoints a senior coordinator to oversee these activities.

Sec. 4, Wildlife Movement and Movement Area Grant Program: The Secretary of the Interior must set up a grant program within 180 days to fund projects that improve habitat in movement areas, such as habitat leases, fence changes, land acquisition, and reducing vehicle collisions. The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation will run the program, issuing annual requests for proposals. Grants require a 10% non-federal match, which can be waived for Tribes or disadvantaged communities. At least 50% of funds must go to big game projects. Funding is authorized for fiscal years 2025 through 2030.

Sec. 5, State and Tribal Migration Research Program: The Secretary must create a program within 180 days to give direct funds to state fish and wildlife agencies and Tribes for collecting and analyzing data on movement areas. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Science Applications program will administer it. Funding is authorized for fiscal years 2025 through 2030.

Sec. 6, Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program: This section amends the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Act to allow using program funds for technical assistance to other federal agencies for voluntary migration corridor or seasonal habitat conservation on private and Tribal land. It also reauthorizes the program for fiscal years 2025 through 2030.

Sec. 7, USGS Wildlife Corridor Mapping: The Secretary, through the USGS Director, must support a Corridor Mapping Team to provide technical assistance to federal agencies, states, and Tribes for mapping movement areas using GPS data or other scientific information, and for assessing or researching those areas.

Sec. 8, USGS Existing Efforts: The USGS Director must work with federal and state agencies and Tribes to build on existing mapping efforts, while protecting sensitive information to prevent poaching and protect private property. The USGS must publish annual reports on mapped migration corridors, and the Secretary must report to Congress every two years on funded projects. Funding is authorized for fiscal years 2025 through 2030, with at least 50% for projects that improve habitat in big game movement areas.

Sec. 9, Coordination: The Secretary must appoint a Senior Executive Service employee with big game experience to coordinate activities under this act. This coordinator will advise agencies and the Foundation, and maintain a summary of activities. The secretaries of relevant agencies must meet regularly to coordinate actions and funding, and streamline coordination with states, Tribes, and non-governmental partners. Funding is authorized for fiscal years 2025 through 2030.

Sec. 10, Requirement; Savings Provision: No funds from this act can be used to force changes in agricultural or livestock production, forestry, or access to existing rights like energy development or water rights. The act does not change state or Tribal authority over wildlife, affect private property or privacy rights, restrict public access for hunting or recreation, affect military readiness, create federal land designations, or amend other federal conservation laws.