S. 2315: Habitat Enhancement Now Act

This legislation, known as the Habitat Enhancement Now Act, aims to support the populations of migratory waterfowl in North America by establishing grant programs focused on habitat enhancement. The key features of the bill include:

Goals and Findings

• The bill identifies that the health and populations of migratory birds, particularly ducks, are largely dependent on the protection and management of wetland ecosystems and other habitats.
• It acknowledges that declining duck populations are largely attributed to the loss of quality breeding habitats, resulting in lower nesting success rates.
• It emphasizes the importance of additional tools, such as nesting structures known as “hen houses,” to improve nesting success alongside existing habitat conservation efforts.
• The bill suggests that modest investments in management can significantly enhance waterfowl production outcomes.

Grant Programs

The legislation includes provisions to create two main grant programs:

1. Hen House Grant Program

• This program will be established within 180 days of the bill’s enactment.
• Grants will be awarded to eligible entities to build, place, and maintain hen houses specifically in the prairie pothole region, which is critical for migratory waterfowl nesting success.
• Eligible entities can include State, local, or Tribal governments, nonprofit organizations, and individuals.

2. Breeding Habitat Grant Program

• This program will also be initiated within 180 days following the bill's enactment.
• It will focus on developing breeding habitats for migratory waterfowl in California, enhancing breeding success rates by establishing nesting cover, creating brood ponds, and providing incentives to landowners.
• Similar to the hen house program, eligible entities must submit applications for funding under this program.

Funding Provisions

The bill allocates funding for the aforementioned grant programs over several fiscal years:

• For the fiscal years 2026 through 2030, $3.5 million will be designated for each of the grant programs annually.

Definitions

Several terms are defined in the legislation to clarify its provisions:

• Eligible entity: Refers to State or local governments, Tribal governments, nonprofit organizations, and individuals.
• Hen house: A cylindrical nesting structure installed on a post, important for increasing duck nest success.
• Prairie pothole: A type of wetland that is vital to nesting waterfowl.
• Prairie pothole region: The primary nesting grounds for most North American ducks.

Relevant Companies

None found