Short title; table of contents

(a)

Short title

This Act may be cited as the

North American Grasslands Conservation Act of 2024

.(b)

Table of contents

The table of contents for this Act is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.

Sec. 2. Findings.

Sec. 3. Purpose.

Sec. 4. Definitions.

Sec. 5. North American Grasslands Conservation Council.

Sec. 6. Regional Grasslands Conservation Councils.

Sec. 7. North American Grasslands Conservation Strategy.

Sec. 8. Grasslands conservation grant program.

Sec. 9. Approval of grasslands conservation projects.

Sec. 10. Native seed crop systems research.

Sec. 11. Regenerative grazing data collection.

Sec. 12. Report to Congress.

Sec. 13. Authorization of appropriations.

Sec. 14. Rules of construction.

Findings

Congress finds that—(1)grasslands provide vital habitat for a multitude of species which represent the lifeblood of local and regional economies that depend on income generated by sportsmen and women and other forms of outdoor recreation;(2)grasslands have been managed for millennia by Indian Tribes through the use of practices referred to as Indigenous Traditional Ecological Knowledge to conserve and restore habitat for native flora and fauna, including practices such as restoration and conservation of grassland ecosystems to support continued cultural traditions, including subsistence agriculture, cultural burning, and management of culturally significant wildlife and their ecosystems;(3)the maintenance of healthy populations of grassland species and working lands that are critical for rural economies and carbon sequestration is dependent on the conservation, restoration, and management of grassland ecosystems, which are composed of tallgrass, mixed grass, and shortgrass prairies, sagebrush shrub-steppe, and savannah grasslands (referred to in this Act as grassland ecosystems);(4)grassland and rangeland ecosystems provide—(A)essential and significant habitat for mammals, pollinators, reptiles, and other wildlife of commercial, recreational, scientific, aesthetic, and cultural value; and(B)an abundance of critical ecological services, including forage and hay for grazing livestock, carbon sequestration, carbon storage, drought and flood resilience, water filtration, and water storage;(5)grasslands cover 358,000,000 acres of the United States, 85 percent of which are privately owned and serve as an important habitat for 29 breeding obligate grassland bird species;(6)sagebrush occupies 161,000,000 acres of 14 Western States;(7)over the last decade alone, millions of acres of grassland ecosystems in North America have been converted to cropland and residential and commercial development;(8)grassland ecosystems are threatened by fragmentation, invasive species, wildfire, degradation, and land conversion;(9)on average, about 1,200,000 acres of sagebrush burn each year in the United States due to invasive annual grasses that fuel catastrophic wildfires;(10)in addition to wildfires, there has been a decrease in the number of working farms and ranches due to—(A)pressures to convert or sell land; and(B)challenges in keeping ranching profitable;(11)effective restoration strategies for land managers of grassland ecosystems require—(A)access to adequate quantities of high-quality, regionally appropriate, and diverse native plant seeds;(B)science-based guidance on cultivating native plant species; and(C)as stated in the National Seed Strategy for Rehabilitation and Restoration developed by the Plant Conservation Alliance and chaired by the Director of the Bureau of Land Management, more research on seedling establishment and species interaction in order to increase the use of native plant species;(12)many plant species most often associated with grassland and rangeland ecosystems are drought tolerant, characteristics that will help ensure the viability of critical wildlife habitat and other ecosystem services in the face of increased drought prevalence brought on by the effects of climate change;(13)grassland and rangeland ecosystems are often comprised of disturbance-dependent communities that rely on disturbances such as fire to maintain the desired plant community composition, reduce fuel loading, and arrest ecological succession;(14)beneficial fire, when scientifically applied and in accordance with local fire prescriptions, is a critical tool in the maintenance of grassland and rangeland ecosystems, particularly in the face of climate change which has been linked to an increase in the frequency and intensity of wildfires in areas in which beneficial fire has been excluded and fuel loading is high;(15)the migratory bird treaty obligations of the United States with Canada, Mexico, and other countries require conservation of grasslands and rangelands that are used by migratory birds for breeding, wintering, or migration and are needed to achieve and to maintain optimum population levels, distributions, and patterns of migration;(16)the 1988 amendments to the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act of 1980 require the Secretary of the Interior to identify conservation measures to assure that nongame migratory bird species do not reach the point at which measures of the Endangered Species Act are necessary; and(17)conservation of migratory birds and their habitats requires long-term planning and the close cooperation and coordination of management activities by Canada, Mexico, and the United States within the framework of the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (16 U.S.C. 4401 et seq.), the 1916, 1969, and 1986 Migratory Bird Conventions, and the Convention on Nature Protection and Wildlife Preservation in the Western Hemisphere.

Purpose

The purpose of this Act is to take bold action to conserve and restore grasslands in North America while supporting ranchers, farmers, Indian Tribes, sportsmen and sportswomen, rural communities, and other interests by drawing from existing conservation plans, programs, and models with a proven track record of success through—(1)encouraging voluntary grassland conservation and restoration as an alternative to additional conversion and loss of native grasslands ecosystems and sustaining those ecosystems as working lands by creating a flexible, voluntary, and innovative grant program;(2)improving grassland and rangeland health and management;(3)restoring marginal lands to native grasslands in areas that were historically grasslands;(4)mitigating the impacts of severe drought and wildfire on grasslands;(5)supporting farmer and rancher stewards, private landowners, and Tribal partners;(6)improving biodiversity and habitat for grassland and sagebrush birds, pollinators, and other wildlife;(7)increasing carbon sequestration and carbon storage;(8)providing increased wildlife-dependent recreational and hunter and angler access opportunities, at the discretion of private landowners;(9)encouraging stronger public-private partnerships in support of landscape-level grassland conservation efforts conducted by State fish and wildlife agencies, Indian Tribes, regional and Federal entities, nongovernmental organizations, farmers and ranchers, and other stakeholders both in the United States and in Canada and Mexico, and complementing the public-private partnerships working on grassland conservation as of the date of the enactment of this Act, such as the Partners for Fish and Wildlife;(10)identifying voluntary opportunities for grassland conservation, restoration, and management not currently available through existing programs; and(11)providing opportunities for Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations to conserve, restore, and manage grasslands, including through—(A)the ethical incorporation of Indigenous Traditional Ecological Knowledge into grassland management and restoration activities; and(B)identifying, encouraging, and providing funding for partnerships between Indian Tribes and Federal agencies to co-manage grassland ecosystems, including ecologically important flora and fauna.

Definitions

In this Act:(1)

Commission

The term Commission means the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission established by section 2 of the Migratory Bird Conservation Act (16 U.S.C. 715a).(2)

Conservation Strategy

The term Conservation Strategy means the North American Grasslands Conservation Strategy established under section 7(a).(3)

Council

The term Council means the North American Grasslands Conservation Council established by section 5(a).(4)

Director

The term Director means the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.(5)

Eligible entity

The term eligible entity means—(A)a grazing land coalition;(B)an agricultural or livestock producer group;(C)an Indian Tribe;(D)a Tribal organization;(E)a land trust;(F)a State or local government;(G)a Federal agency;(H)a nongovernmental organization;(I)a community-based organization;(J)a group of individuals that are private landowners; and(K)a regional fish and wildlife agency.(6)

Grasslands

The term grasslands means tallgrass, mixed grass, shortgrass, native prairie, sagebrush shrub-steppe, savanna grasslands, glades, wet meadows, coastal grasslands, and other related grassland ecosystems, including certain rangelands.(7)

Grasslands conservation project

The term grasslands conservation project means any conservation, restoration, protection, or enhancement activity that is carried out with a grant awarded under the Program.(8)

Indian Tribe

The term Indian Tribe has the meaning given the term in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).(9)

Indigenous Traditional Ecological Knowledge; ITEK

The terms Indigenous Traditional Ecological Knowledge and ITEK mean observations, oral and written knowledge, practices, and beliefs of Indian Tribes that promote environmental sustainability and the responsible stewardship of natural resources through relationships between humans and environmental systems and are applied to phenomena across biological, physical, cultural, and spiritual systems.(10)

Program

The term Program means the grant program established under section 8(a).(11)

Regional Grasslands Conservation Council

The term Regional Grasslands Conservation Council means a Regional Grasslands Conservation Council established by section 6(a).(12)

Secretary

The term Secretary means the Secretary of the Interior.(13)

Tribal organization

The term Tribal organization has the meaning given the term in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).

North American Grasslands Conservation Council

(a)

Establishment

There is established the North American Grasslands Conservation Council.(b)

Membership

(1)

In general

The Council shall be composed of the following 13 members: (A)The Director, who shall be the responsible Federal official for ensuring Council compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.).(B)The Chief of the Natural Resources Conservation Service of the Department of Agriculture, who shall coordinate interdepartmental efforts with the Director.(C)1 representative of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, appointed by the Secretary. (D)4 members who shall each—(i)be appointed by the Secretary;(ii)be a director of a State fish and wildlife agency; and(iii)represent a different regional association.(E)2 members who shall each—(i)be appointed by the Secretary;(ii)be a director, or an equivalent role, of a natural resources agency of an Indian Tribe; and(iii)represent a different intertribal organization dedicated to natural resources and the environment.(F)2 members who shall each—(i)be appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture; and(ii)represent a separate working lands organization that represents landowners, farmers, or ranchers actively participating in carrying out voluntary grasslands conservation projects. (G)2 members, of whom—(i)both shall be appointed by the Secretary; (ii)both shall be a member of a charitable nonprofit conservation organization; and(iii)1 shall be a member of a wildlife hunting conservation organization.(2)

Period of appointment; vacancies

(A)

In general

Except as provided in subparagraph (B), a member of the Council shall serve for a term of 3 years.(B)

Initial appointments

(i)

Directors of State fish and wildlife agencies

Of the members first appointed under paragraph (1)(D)—(I)1 shall be appointed for a term of 1 year;(II)2 shall be appointed for a term of 2 years; and(III)1 shall be appointed for a term of 3 years.(ii)

Other members

Of the members first appointed under subparagraphs (E), (F), and (G) of paragraph (1)—(I)2 shall be appointed for a term of 1 year;(II)2 shall be appointed for a term of 2 years; and(III)2 shall be appointed for a term of 3 years.(C)

Vacancies

(i)

In general

With respect to a member appointed to the Council under subparagraphs (C) through (G) of paragraph (1), a vacancy in the Council shall be filled in accordance with that subparagraph for the remainder of the applicable term of that member.(ii)

Alternate members

Until a vacancy referred to in clause (i) is filled, or in the event of an anticipated absence of a member described in that clause from any meeting of the Council, the Secretary shall appoint an alternate member to the Council who shall—(I)be knowledgeable and experienced in matters relating to grasslands conservation and restoration; and(II)perform the duties of a member appointed to the Council under subparagraphs (C) through (G) of paragraph (1).(3)

Ex officio members

The Secretary may include as ex officio, nonvoting members of the Council—(A)the Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation of the Department of Agriculture;(B)the Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment of the Department of Agriculture; and(C)representatives of—(i)other appropriate Federal, State, or Tribal Government agencies that are actively participating in grasslands conservation projects or have technical expertise in grasslands conservation;(ii)the Federal, provincial, territorial, Indigenous, or State government agencies of Canada and Mexico that are actively participating in carrying out grasslands conservation projects;(iii)nonprofit charitable organizations that are actively participating in grasslands conservation projects; and(iv)Tribal organizations that are actively participating in grasslands conservation projects.(4)

Chairperson

(A)

In general

The Council shall select a Chairperson from among the members of the Council.(B)

Term

A Chairperson shall serve for a 3-year term, except that the first selected Chairperson may serve for an initial term of less than 3 years.(5)

Vice chair

(A)

In general

The Chairperson shall select a Vice Chair from among the members of the Council.(B)

Term

A Vice Chair shall serve for a 2-year term, except that the first selected Vice Chair may serve for an initial term of less than 2 years.(c)

Meetings

(1)

In general

The Council shall meet at the call of the Chairperson.(2)

Frequency

The Council shall meet not less frequently than once per year.(3)

Format

A meeting of the Council may be conducted in person, virtually, or in a hybrid format.(4)

Availability

Meetings of the Council shall be open to the public, and the Council shall give public notice of the time and place of such meetings.(5)

Quorum

A majority of the members of the Council shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. (d)

Duties

The Council shall—(1)provide input to the Director in the development of the Conservation Strategy;(2)establish publicly available project evaluation criteria for applications submitted under the Program;(3)recommend grasslands conservation projects to the Commission in accordance with section 9;(4)receive input from regional conservation entities who have a vested interest in developing multi-State and Tribal conservation plans; and(5)provide annual updates on the status of the objectives and goals identified in the Conservation Strategy to the Commission.(e)

Compensation

A member of the Council shall receive no compensation as a result of serving on the Council.(f)

FACA applicability

Chapter 10 of part I of title 5, United States Code, shall not apply to the Council.

Regional Grasslands Conservation Councils

(a)

In general

There is established a Regional Grasslands Conservation Council for each region of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.(b)

Membership

Each Regional Grasslands Conservation Council shall be composed of not more than 10 members, which shall include—(1)representatives of nongovernmental and Tribal organizations representing the conservation community;(2)representatives from Tribal Governments;(3)representatives of rancher and farming interests;(4)representatives from State fish and wildlife agencies; and(5)any other representatives, as determined necessary by the Secretary in coordination with the Council.(c)

Recommendations

Each Regional Grasslands Conservation Council shall provide recommendations to the Council regarding—(1)the selection of grasslands conservation projects; and(2)key grasslands conservation strategies with respect to the region served by such Regional Grasslands Conservation Council that draw from established regional grasslands conservation plans.(d)

FACA applicability

Chapter 10 of part I of title 5, United States Code, does not apply to a Regional Grasslands Conservation Council.

North American Grasslands Conservation Strategy

(a)

In general

After the appointment of the first 7 of the initial members of the Council under section 5(b), the Director shall, in consultation with the Council—(1)develop a coordinated strategy, to be known as the North American Grasslands Conservation Strategy, for the conservation, restoration, and management of grasslands ecosystems across North America; and(2)support implementation, monitoring, and communication efforts relating to the Conservation Strategy.(b)

Existing conservation plans and frameworks

The Conservation Strategy shall draw from existing local, State, regional, and international conservation plans and frameworks, conservation plans of Indian Tribes, and State wildlife action plans, with an emphasis on supporting existing science- and ITEK-based frameworks.(c)

Inclusion

The Conservation Strategy shall—(1)identify key areas with—(A)grasslands at high risk of—(i)conversion to cropland or residential or commercial development;(ii)shrub or woody encroachment; or(iii)invasion of annual grasses or other undesired vegetation;(B)the highest potential of conserving native grasslands, restoring grasslands, and reducing fragmentation;(C)ecologically and culturally significant grasslands remnants;(D)populations of grasslands-dependent species of greatest conservation need, as identified in—(i)State wildlife action plans;(ii)Tribal conservation plans;(iii)the report of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service titled Birds of Conservation Concern 2021 Migratory Bird Program (published April 2021), or a successor document; or(iv)other appropriate science-based grasslands conservation plans; and(E)grasslands habitats important to the recovery of species listed as a threatened species or an endangered species under section 4 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1533) or identified by a State or Tribal fish and wildlife agency as a species of greatest conservation need;(2)identify specific goals for North American grasslands conservation, including goals for—(A)conserving grasslands identified under paragraph (1)(A);(B)increasing grasslands acreage through the restoration of marginal cropland and pastureland to native grasslands in areas that were historically grasslands; and(C)enhancing existing grasslands, primarily through incentivizing the voluntary restoration of degraded grasslands and the management of native prairie or sagebrush shrublands through conservation practices including—(i)advanced grazing management or other prescribed grazing management that meets the objectives of the Conservation Strategy;(ii)beneficial fire, including prescribed fires and cultural burning practices;(iii)invasive species management; and(iv)removal of encroaching woody vegetation;(3)identify key grasslands conservation, restoration, and management strategies for each of the grasslands regions identified by the Director;(4)examine existing funding sources and identify gaps from current Federal, State, Tribal, or local conservation programs as such programs relate to grasslands conservation, restoration, and management needs, including—(A)conservation programs under the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (Public Law 115–334) and amendments made by that Act;(B)conservation programs under the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act (16 U.S.C. 669 et seq.); and(C)any Federal, State, Tribal, or local plans, programs, or initiatives that support grasslands conservation, restoration, and management; and(5)develop—(A)baseline inventories and population estimates of key indicator birds, pollinators, and other wildlife species at risk;(B)goals to increase the population size and resiliency of such species, including through ensuring grasslands habitat connectivity; and(C)a tool to track county-level aggregated conversion of native grasslands to cropland, residential and commercial development, and other uses that shall—(i)protect the personally identifiable information of producers and landowners;(ii)be made publicly available; and(iii)be updated on an annual basis.(d)

Availability

Not later than 120 days before the date on which the Program is established, the Conservation Strategy shall be finalized and made publicly available on the website of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to help target investments in grasslands conservation projects.

Grasslands conservation grant program

(a)

Establishment

Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this section, the Director, in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture and other heads of relevant Federal agencies, shall establish a competitive grant program through which the Commission shall award amounts to eligible entities to carry out eligible projects to support voluntary grasslands conservation projects, including projects—(1)to conserve intact grasslands at risk of conversion to cropland or residential or commercial development;(2)to restore degraded grasslands and improve grasslands health;(3)to restore marginal cropland or idle land back to grasslands;(4)to increase carbon sequestration and ecological function in soils and improve the resilience of grasslands;(5)to support habitat and habitat connectivity for native grasslands and sagebrush birds, pollinators, plants, and other wildlife, including big game species;(6)to restore and enhance watersheds through grasslands restoration, management, and conservation;(7)to increase adoption of grasslands conservation, restoration, and management practices; and(8)carried out by Indian Tribes to protect culturally significant flora and fauna through the use of Indigenous Traditional Ecological Knowledge related to grasslands ecosystems.(b)

Applications

To be eligible for a grant under the Program, an eligible entity shall submit to the Council an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Director determines appropriate, which shall include a description of the project the eligible entity intends to carry out with such a grant.(c)

Priority

In awarding grants under the Program, the Commission shall prioritize grants to eligible entities the intended projects of which advance the goals of the Conservation Strategy.(d)

Considerations

In awarding grants under the Program, the Commission shall consider the recommendations made to the Commission by the Council under section 9.(e)

Use of funds

(1)

In general

An eligible entity may use a grant awarded under the Program to carry out grasslands conservation projects, including—(A)voluntary conservation easements;(B)grasslands restoration;(C)management activities, including—(i)voluntary incentives to producers for prescribed burns;(ii)removal of pinyon juniper, eastern red cedar, salt cedar, or any other encroaching woody species;(iii)management of invasive species;(iv)maintenance and monitoring of new or ongoing grasslands conservation projects;(v)advanced grazing management activities;(vi)drought monitoring and preparedness activities;(vii)management activities informed by Indigenous Traditional Ecological Knowledge, including through cultural burns to manage ecosystems to manage, conserve, or restore native flora and fauna; and(viii)such other restoration and management activities identified in the Conservation Strategy or otherwise determined appropriate by the Director;(D)grasslands ecosystem education, outreach, and conservation stewardship assistance, which may include—(i)field days;(ii)grazing management training programs;(iii)conservation planning; and(iv)education and outreach relating to—(I)grazing management;(II)control of invasive species;(III)beneficial fire;(IV)native seed crop systems research, in accordance with the research carried out by the Secretary of Agriculture under section 10;(V)land access, generational land transfers, and ensuring ranchland viability;(VI)best management practices relating to grasslands ecosystems;(VII)participation in carbon and ecosystem markets; (VIII)payment for ecosystem or conservation services; and(IX)safeguarding and ensuring the perpetuation of Indigenous Traditional Ecological Knowledge related to grasslands ecosystems; and(E)such other activities that—(i)benefit grasslands and associated wildlife and enable increased adoption of grasslands conservation, restoration, and management practices; and(ii)are consistent with the Conservation Strategy.(2)

Restoration activities

For purposes of paragraph (1)(B), any restoration activity shall prioritize a diverse mix of appropriately sourced native grasses and forbs, with such exceptions as the Director determines to be appropriate for ecologically appropriate noninvasive and nonnative species.(3)

Safe harbor

An eligible entity that carries out a project pursuant to a grant awarded under the Program shall be eligible with respect to such project for a safe harbor agreement with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.(f)

Grasslands conservation projects in Mexico and Canada

The Director shall grant or otherwise provide up to 10 percent of the amounts appropriated pursuant to the authorization under section 13(a)(1) to Federal agencies, eligible entities, and other individuals and entities, including foreign land management agencies, for the purpose of assisting such agencies, entities, and individuals in carrying out grasslands conservation projects in Mexico and Canada that—(1)have been recommended by the Council; and(2)meet the goals of the Conservation Strategy.(g)

Tribal set-Aside

For each fiscal year, of the amounts made available to carry out the Program, the Director shall set aside not less than 10 percent of such amounts to provide grants to Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations working with 1 or more Indian Tribes.(h)

Cost-Sharing requirement

(1)

In general

Subject to paragraph (2), the non-Federal share of the cost of carrying out an eligible project using amounts from a grant awarded under the Program—(A)shall be not less than 25 percent, including in-kind contributions; and(B)may not be derived from a Federal grant program.(2)

Waivers

(A)

Indian Tribes

The Director shall waive the cost-share requirement under paragraph (1) for grants awarded under the Program to Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations.(B)

Other eligible entities

The Council shall establish waiver criteria under which the Commission may waive the cost-share requirement under paragraph (1), in whole or in part, for grants awarded under the Program to eligible entities other than Indian Tribes.(i)

Administrative costs

An eligible entity that is awarded a grant under this section may use such grant award for reasonable administrative costs relating to that grant.

Approval of grasslands conservation projects

(a)

Recommendations to the Commission

(1)

In general

Each calendar year, the Council shall submit to the Commission a report that includes a list of the grasslands conservation projects (including the costs of those projects), in order of priority, that the Council, in consultation with each Regional Grasslands Conservation Council, recommends to the Commission for funding under the Program.(2)

Considerations

In making the list of recommended grasslands conservation projects under paragraph (1), the Council shall consider—(A)the extent to which the grasslands conservation project fulfills the purpose of this Act and the strategies and objectives of the Conservation Strategy;(B)the availability of sufficient non-Federal funds to carry out the grasslands conservation project and to match Federal contributions in accordance with section 8(h)(1), notwithstanding the waivers described in paragraph (2) of that section;(C)the extent to which the grasslands conservation project represents a partnership between public entities, including Indian Tribes, and private entities, including landowners; and(D)the substantiality of the character and design of the grasslands conservation project.(b)

Council best practices and procedures

(1)

In general

The Council shall establish best practices and procedures for carrying out the requirements of subsection (a).(2)

Requirements

The best practices and procedures established under paragraph (1) shall require that—(A)a quorum of the Council be present before any business may be conducted; and(B)the Council may not refer a grasslands conservation project to the Commission under subsection (a)(1) unless the grasslands conservation project is approved by a vote of 2/3 of the members of the Council present and voting.(c)

Council representation on Commission

(1)

In general

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary and the Secretary of Agriculture shall each select 1 member of the Council to serve as an ex officio member of the Commission for the purposes of considering and voting on grasslands conservation projects recommended to the Commission by the Council under subsection (a)(1).(2)

Requirement

A member of the Council selected under paragraph (1) shall be a citizen of the United States.(d)

Approval of Council recommendations by the Commission

(1)

In general

The Commission, including the 2 members of the Council selected to serve as ex officio members on the Commission under subsection (c)(1), shall approve, reject, or reorder the priority of any grasslands conservation projects recommended by the Council under subsection (a)(1) based on, to the greatest extent practicable, the considerations described in paragraph (2) of that subsection.(2)

Approval of projects

If the Commission approves a grasslands conservation project under paragraph (1), the Commission shall award a grant under the Program to the eligible entity that applied to carry out the grasslands conservation project.(3)

Rejection of projects

If the Commission rejects or reorders the priority of any grasslands conservation project under paragraph (1), the Commission shall provide the Council and the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate a written statement explaining the rationale of the Commission in rejecting or reordering the priority of, as applicable, the grasslands conservation project.(e)

Notification of appropriate committees

Not less frequently than annually, the Commission shall submit to the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate, and make publicly available, a report that includes—(1)a list and description of the grasslands conservation projects approved by the Commission under subsection (d)(2), in order of priority;(2)the amounts and sources of Federal and non-Federal funding for those grasslands conservation projects;(3)a justification for the approval of those grasslands conservation projects and the order of priority for funding those grasslands conservation projects;(4)a list and description of the grasslands conservation projects that the Council recommended, in order of priority, that the Commission approved for funding under the Program; and(5)a justification for any rejection or reordering of the priority of grasslands conservation projects recommended by the Council that was based on factors other than the considerations described in subsection (a)(2).

10.

Native seed crop systems research

The Secretary and the Secretary of Agriculture shall jointly coordinate and implement the National Seed Strategy for Rehabilitation and Restoration developed by the Plant Conservation Alliance and chaired by the Director of the Bureau of Land Management, with an emphasis on—(1)research relating to native seed crop systems, including—(A)agronomic research to improve the understanding of native plants as seed crops for native rangeland revegetation, with an emphasis on enhancing natural plant establishment in the environment;(B)research on plant seed physiology to improve seed quality, storage, and seeding success in the landscape;(C)the development and technology transfer of best management practices and technologies for seed production, seed collection, seed storage, and reseeding success in the environment;(D)research on soil chemistry and biome composition and how soil chemistry and biome composition affect native seed establishment; and(E)identification of scenarios and preferred species for the incorporation of nonnative seed, with the goal of the overall successful restoration of functional groups of species;(2)the extension of research described in paragraph (1) to seed producers and land managers responsible for restoration efforts; and(3)the production, storage, distribution, and planting of native seed crops in grasslands areas for restoration.

11.

Regenerative grazing data collection

(a)

Definitions

In this section:(1)

Federal land

The term Federal land means—(A)public lands; and(B)land of the National Forest System.(2)

National Forest System

The term National Forest System has the meaning given the term in section 11(a) of the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 (16 U.S.C. 1609(a)).(3)

Pilot program

The term pilot program means the pilot program established under subsection (b)(1).(4)

Public lands

The term public lands has the meaning given the term in section 103 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1702).(5)

Secretaries

The term Secretaries means the—(A)Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service; and(B)Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the Bureau of Land Management;

acting jointly.

(b)

Pilot program for use of regenerative grazing on Federal land To mitigate effects of climate change

(1)

Establishment

Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this section, the Secretaries shall establish a pilot program to study the effectiveness of using grazing on Federal land to mitigate the effects of climate change.(2)

Requirements

In carrying out the pilot program, the Secretaries shall—(A)identify—(i)a standard set of practices to study, such as carbon beneficial practices, that support conservation and grazing goals, including—(I)ecologically appropriate silvopasture;(II)practices that provide wildlife habitat benefits;(III)practices that consider flexibility in season of use;(IV)forage and biomass management;(V)planned grazing; and(VI)range monitoring; and(ii)sufficient grazing allotments on a diverse mixture of ecosystems to identify whether, and the extent to which, grazing is an effective tool to mitigate the effects of climate change, including the ability—(I)to improve soil health;(II)to increase carbon sequestration;(III)to reduce wildfire risk; and(IV)to improve watershed resilience and biodiversity; and(B)in developing, implementing, and monitoring the pilot program, consult with—(i)the Chief of the Forest Service;(ii)the Director of the Bureau of Land Management;(iii)the Administrator of the Agricultural Research Service;(iv)the Chief of the Natural Resources Conservation Service;(v)the Director of the United States Geological Survey;(vi)representatives designated by Indian Tribes;(vii)ranchers and representatives of the ranching industry;(viii)representatives from grazing districts, associations, boards, or councils;(ix)environmental and conservation nongovernmental organizations;(x)institutions of higher education; and(xi)any other Federal or State agency, academic institution, or organization that the Secretaries determine to be appropriate.(3)

Use of funds

Funds made available to carry out the pilot program may be used—(A)to conduct research activities;(B)to provide technical assistance to permittees; or(C)to construct the infrastructure necessary to implement and analyze regenerative grazing.(4)

Report to Congress

Not later than 180 days after the date on which the Secretaries determine that a sufficient quantity of data has been collected under the pilot program, the Secretaries shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate and the Committee on Natural Resources and the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives, and make publicly available on the websites of the Department of Agriculture and the Department of the Interior, a report regarding the findings and data derived from the pilot program, including whether and the extent to which the use of regenerative grazing improved the ability to mitigate the impacts of climate change.

12.

Report to Congress

The Director shall biennially submit to Congress, and make publicly available, a report regarding the implementation of this Act, which shall include an assessment of the status of grasslands conservation projects during the preceding 2 years, including an accounting of expenditures by Federal, State, and other entities.

13.

Authorization of appropriations

(a)

In general

There are authorized to be appropriated, to remain available until expended—(1)to carry out section 7, $5,000,000;(2)beginning on the date the Conservation Strategy is first publicly posted under section 7(d), to carry out the Program—(A)$60,000,000 for fiscal year 2025;(B)$67,500,000 for fiscal year 2026;(C)$75,000,000 for fiscal year 2027;(D)$82,500,000 for fiscal year 2028; and(E)$90,000,000 for fiscal year 2029;(3)to Partners for Fish and Wildlife to work with ranchers, landowners, Tribes, and eligible entities to carry out activities under the Program, $1,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2025 through 2029;(4)to the Secretary of Agriculture to carry out section 10, $1,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2024 through 2027; and(5)to carry out section 11, $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2024 through 2026.(b)

Administrative costs for the Program

Of the amounts made available under subsection (a)(3), not more than 10 percent may be used for administrative costs relating to the Council, Regional Grasslands Conservation Councils, and the Program.(c)

Limitation

None of the funds made available under this section may be—(1)used for species or habitat mitigation under any Federal law; or(2)applied in a manner that requires nonvoluntary changes in agricultural or domestic livestock production, permitted forestry practices, access to valid existing rights, or compatible energy development and mining.

14.

Rules of construction

Nothing in this Act may be construed—(1)to enlarge or diminish the authority, jurisdiction, or responsibility of a State to manage, control, or regulate fish and wildlife under the law and regulations of the State on lands and waters within the State, including on Federal lands and waters;(2)as modifying or abrogating a treaty with any Indian Tribe, or as enlarging or diminishing the authority, jurisdiction, or responsibility of an Indian Tribe to manage, control, or regulate wildlife on Tribal land;(3)to impact the private property or privacy rights of landowners without the express written consent of such landowners; or(4)to authorize restrictions or reductions to public access for hunting, angling, recreational shooting, or other compatible types of outdoor recreation.