Building Native Habitats at Federal Facilities Act
The Building Native Habitats at Federal Facilities Act would require federal agencies to prioritize and consider using native plants in federal projects, including landscaping improvements at federally managed facilities. Within about nine months of enactment, agencies must give preference to native plants (where feasible regarding cost, schedule, and supply) and assess benefits such as habitat creation, support for pollinators, wildlife shelter, reduced erosion and water use, and better stormwater management. Agencies would also encourage incorporating native plants into existing or planned turf areas when appropriate. The act also mandates contract language to reflect these requirements, requires agencies to update design standards, and establishes ongoing guidance and reporting from the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) to promote and track the use of native plants in federal projects.
Key Points
- 1Priority and consideration for native plants: Federal projects should prioritize native plants over non-native plants when feasible, and consider their environmental benefits over the life of the project.
- 2Scope and definition: Applies to landscape planting improvements at federally managed facilities located in the U.S., D.C., or U.S. territories; “native plant” is defined by the act’s referenced federal definition.
- 3Turfgrass exception and encouragement: Agencies are not required to prioritize turfgrass but should consider planting native species in appropriate parts of turf areas, especially unused spaces, balancing cost, schedule, and maintenance.
- 4Contracts and procurement: Agency heads must include these native-plant requirements in contracts and require subcontractors to follow them to the maximum extent practicable.
- 5Agency design standards and guidance: Agencies must update design and landscape standards within 270 days; CEQ must issue guidance within 180 days (and every 2 years thereafter) and publish a public report every 2 years detailing use, case studies, and impacts.