Habitat Enhancement Now Act
Habitat Enhancement Now Act would authorize two new competitive grant programs administered by the Secretary of the Interior to boost migratory waterfowl populations by adding tools that complement existing habitat conservation. One program targets the prairie pothole region (the core nesting grounds for many North American ducks) to place and maintain “hen houses” (cylindrical nesting structures) and other nest-improvement efforts to raise nesting success. The second program focuses on California, funding projects to create nesting cover, brood ponds, and incentives for private landowners to carry out breeding-habitat activities. The bill emphasizes that even modest investments can meaningfully improve waterfowl production when paired with habitat conservation, and it defines eligible recipients as states/local governments, tribes, nonprofits, and individuals. The programs would be funded from FY 2026 through FY 2030, with $3.5 million annually allocated to each program, totaling $7 million per year.
Key Points
- 1Establishes two competitive grant programs administered by the Secretary of the Interior: (1) Hen House Grant Program in the prairie pothole region and (2) Breeding Habitat Grant Program in California.
- 2Purpose of the Hen House program: strategically place, build, and maintain hen houses to improve nesting success for migratory waterfowl.
- 3Purpose of the California breeding-habitat program: develop nesting cover, create brood ponds, and provide incentives for landowners to implement these activities on land they control.
- 4Eligible entities to apply for grants: state, local, or Tribal governments; nonprofit organizations; and individuals.
- 5Funding timeline and amounts: for fiscal years 2026–2030, $3.5 million per year for the Hen House program and $3.5 million per year for the California breeding-habitat program.