Environment (Wildlife)

in committee · United States · Senate Mar 6, 2025

S 887: Basin Fund Preservation Act

S 887, the Basin Fund Preservation Act, requires the Interior and Energy Secretaries to create a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Glen Canyon Dam Work Group. This MOU must address how a 2024 decision about Glen Canyon Dam operations affects the Upper Colorado River Basin Fund, including impacts on infrastructure maintenance, hydropower production costs, and endangered species protections. The bill mandates the MOU include specific plans to manage these effects using existing hydropower contract data. It directly affects federal agencies managing the Fund and Glen Canyon Dam operations, without altering current laws or creating new obligations.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill mandates MOU to preserve hydropower operations and infrastructure impacts, supporting renewable energy infrastructure management.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates MOU to address impacts on endangered species protections, a core environmental protection element, requiring management plans for this specific conservation focus.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Hydroelectric Conservation Wildlife

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in committee · United States · Senate Mar 5, 2025

S 871: Hawaii Native Species Conservation and Recovery Act of 2025

This bill establishes a federal grant program to fund conservation projects for native plants, fungi, and animals in Hawaii. Eligible entities - including the State of Hawaii, local governments, Native Hawaiian organizations, nonprofits, businesses, and schools - can apply for funding to address threats like invasive species, climate change impacts, and habitat loss. Federal funding covers up to 75% of project costs (or 100% for projects by Native Hawaiian organizations or focused on youth workforce development), with at least 5% of annual funds reserved for these priority projects. The program requires annual reporting to Congress on funded projects and their progress, ensuring transparency in how funds support Hawaii's native species recovery.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds conservation projects addressing habitat loss, invasive species, and climate impacts for native Hawaiian species through federal grants.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change Conservation Wildlife

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in committee · United States · Senate Jul 27, 2026

S 2578: Strengthening the Rule of Law in the Brazilian Amazon Act

S 2578, the "Strengthening the Rule of Law in the Brazilian Amazon Act," directs U.S. agencies to support Brazil in combating criminal networks driving deforestation and environmental harm in the Amazon. It requires the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation to identify sustainable economic opportunities and investment risks in the region, and authorizes $10 million annually (2025-2028) for U.S. agencies to provide technical assistance, capacity building, and support for sustainable livelihoods and Indigenous rights in Brazil. The bill mandates reports to Congress on drivers of deforestation (including Chinese involvement in illicit resource extraction), progress on disrupting criminal networks, and U.S. efforts to influence international financial institutions to oppose loans exacerbating deforestation. It directly affects U.S. agencies (State, USAID, Treasury) and Brazilian authorities working to address illegal logging, mining, wildlife trafficking, and associated corruption.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill authorizes $10 million annually (2025-2028) for U.S. agencies to provide technical assistance and support sustainable economic opportunities, directly funding a program through government spending.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentDirects U.S. support to combat Amazon deforestation, funds sustainable economic opportunities, and provides technical assistance for environmental protection in the Brazilian Amazon.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry Wildlife

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in committee · United States · Senate Mar 31, 2025

S 1207: Feral Swine Eradication Act

The Feral Swine Eradication Act makes a federal program for controlling feral swine permanent, replacing a previous pilot initiative. It allocates $75 million for fiscal years 2025-2030 to fund eradication efforts in areas where feral swine threaten agriculture, ecosystems, or human/animal health (as determined by the Secretary). The bill requires one year of post-eradication monitoring in affected areas and mandates two reports to Congress detailing program activities, funding use, and success in reducing swine-related damage to crops, wildlife, and public safety.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $75M for feral swine eradication program, directly funding a government initiative under federal budget95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill funds feral swine eradication to protect ecosystems, directly advancing environmental conservation as stated in summary.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Wildlife

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in committee · United States · Senate Feb 11, 2026

S 909: La Paz County Solar Energy and Job Creation Act

La Paz County Solar Energy and Job Creation Act This bill directs the Department of the Interior, after receiving a request from La Paz County, Arizona, to convey approximately 3,400 acres of identified land managed by the Bureau of Land Management to the county for fair market value. Interior must exclude from the conveyance any federal land that contains significant cultural, environmental, wildlife, or recreational resources. As a condition of the conveyance, La Paz County and any subsequent owner must make good faith efforts to avoid disturbing tribal artifacts; minimize impacts on tribal artifacts if they are disturbed; coordinate with the Colorado River Indian Tribes Tribal Historic Preservation Office to identify artifacts of cultural and historic significance; and allow tribal representatives to rebury unearthed artifacts at, or near, where they were discovered. The federal land is withdrawn from the operation of U.S. mining and mineral leasing laws.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyDirects BLM land conveyance for solar energy development, explicitly promoting renewable energy infrastructure and job creation as stated in bill title and summary.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentPromotes solar energy (clean renewable source) and requires exclusion of environmentally sensitive lands, protecting resources while advancing clean energy development.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Solar Conservation Public Lands Wildlife

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in committee · United States · House Jun 4, 2025

HR 3714: Forage Fish Conservation Act of 2025

HR 3714, the Forage Fish Conservation Act of 2025, amends federal fisheries law to protect small schooling fish like herring, sardines, and anchovies that serve as critical food for larger marine species. It requires the Secretary of Commerce to define "forage fish" within 12 months and mandates that fishery management plans consider ecosystem needs - such as ensuring enough forage fish remain for predators like tuna and seabirds - when setting catch limits. The bill directs regional fisheries councils to identify unmanaged forage fish stocks and prohibit new commercial fisheries until conservation plans are approved, with specific timelines for action (e.g., adding river herring and shad to management plans within 180 days). These changes directly affect federal fisheries managers, commercial fishing industries targeting forage species, and marine ecosystems dependent on these fish. The law aims to prevent overfishing by linking catch limits to ecological roles, not just fishery yields.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProtects marine ecosystems by requiring fishery plans to maintain forage fish populations for predators, strengthening conservation of natural resources per bill's ecosystem-based management mandate.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Wildlife

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in committee · United States · House Apr 17, 2025

HR 2944: Cerro de la Olla Wilderness Establishment Act

This bill designates approximately 12,295 acres of Bureau of Land Management land in Taos County, New Mexico, as the Cerro de la Olla Wilderness. It modifies the boundary of the Río Grande del Norte National Monument to align with this new wilderness area. The bill permits the maintenance of existing wildlife water structures (like guzzlers) within the wilderness if they enhance wildlife values and minimize visual impacts, and requires the federal government to establish a cooperative agreement with New Mexico State within one year to outline wildlife management terms. These changes directly affect federal land management practices and wildlife conservation activities in the designated area.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentDesignates 12,295 acres as wilderness, protects natural resources, and maintains wildlife structures to enhance conservation values per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Public Lands Wildlife

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in committee · United States · Senate Feb 12, 2026

S 1349: Ruby Mountains Protection Act

The Ruby Mountains Protection Act (S 1349) withdraws approximately 309,272 acres of Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest land and 39,926 acres of Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge from mineral leasing and development. This protects these specific areas from future mining or mineral extraction activities, directly affecting potential developers and federal land management decisions. The bill allows noncommercial wildlife management activities by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service but prohibits all mineral leasing under federal law. Maps defining the exact boundaries are available for public inspection at relevant federal offices.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentWithdraws 349,200+ acres from mineral development, protecting ecosystems from extraction and conserving natural resources per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry Public Lands Wildlife

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in committee · United States · Senate May 6, 2025

S 1615: Northwest Wetlands Voluntary Incentives Program Act

S 1615 establishes a voluntary grant program to restore habitats for migratory birds in the Oregon and Washington coastal zone and Columbia River Basin. It provides competitive grants to eligible entities - including state/local governments, tribes, nonprofits, and private landowners - to fund habitat restoration projects focused on shorebirds, waterfowl, and other wetlands-dependent species. Projects must include a 25% non-Federal matching contribution and prioritize areas with rapid habitat loss or limited public access. The program authorizes $10 million annually (2026-2030) for grants and technical assistance, with strict rules prohibiting use for existing environmental compliance obligations. Grants cover project planning, infrastructure, and ecosystem assessment (up to 10% each), but not routine maintenance.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEstablishes voluntary grants for wetlands habitat restoration, directly conserving natural resources and protecting migratory species in critical ecosystems.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Conservation Wildlife

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in committee · United States · House Aug 27, 2026

HR 4219: National Wildlife Refuge System Invasive Species Strike Team Act of 2025

This bill establishes a formal National Wildlife Refuge System Invasive Species Strike Team Program under the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. It requires regional teams trained in early detection and rapid response to prevent, control, and eradicate invasive species harming native wildlife and habitats on or near National Wildlife Refuges, using science-based methods and partnerships with states, tribes, and local entities. The program is funded at $15 million annually from 2026-2030 and mandates annual reports to Congress on progress in managing priority invasive species. It directly affects National Wildlife Refuge lands and adjacent properties by coordinating invasive species management with nearby landowners and agencies.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEstablishes invasive species program to protect wildlife habitats using $15M annual funding, directly advancing conservation efforts under National Wildlife Refuges.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Wildlife

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