Sec. 83212. Administrative designation of national wildlife corridors
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/bill/116/hr/2/rds/section-83212A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretaries, pursuant to the land, water, and resource management planning and conservation authorities of the Secretaries, shall establish a process, by regulation, for the designation and management of National Wildlife Corridors on Federal land or water under the respective jurisdictions of the Secretaries. Where a National Wildlife Corridor crosses federal land or water under the jurisdiction of several secretaries, then the Secretary must obtain concurrence from the applicable Secretaries before a National Wildlife Corridor may be designated.
The Secretaries shall consider the designation of National Wildlife Corridors in any process relating to the issuance, revision, or modification of a management plan for land or water under the respective jurisdiction of the Secretaries insofar as a corridor is consistent with the purpose of the plan. The regulations promulgated by the Secretary under subsection (a)(1) shall ensure that, in designating a National Wildlife Corridor, the Secretaries— base the designation of the National Wildlife Corridor on— coordination with existing— National Wildlife Corridors; corridors established by States; and Tribal Wildlife Corridors; and the best available science of— existing native species habitat; and likely future native species habitats; determine that the National Wildlife Corridor supports the connectivity, persistence, resilience, and adaptability of the native species for which it has been designated by providing for— dispersal and genetic exchange between populations; range shifting, range expansion, or range restoration, such as in response to climate change; seasonal movement or migration; or succession, movement, or recolonization following— a disturbance, such as fire, flood, drought, or infestation; or population decline or previous extirpation; consult the Database; and consider recommendations from the National Coordination Committee under section 83332(e)(2)(C).
The Secretaries may designate as a National Wildlife Corridor land or water that— is necessary for the natural movements of one or more native species; requires restoration, including— land or water that is degraded; and land or water from which a species is currently absent— but may be colonized or recolonized by the species naturally; or to which the species may be reintroduced or restored based on habitat changes; and is fragmented or consists of only a portion of the habitat required for the connectivity needs of one or more native species.
In establishing the process for designation under subsection (a)(1), the Secretary shall include procedures under which— any State, Tribal, or local government, or a nongovernmental organization engaged in the conservation of native species and the improvement of the habitats of native species, may submit to the Secretaries a nomination to designate as a National Wildlife Corridor an area under the respective jurisdiction of the Secretaries; and the Secretaries shall consider and, not later than 1 year after the date on which the nomination was submitted under subparagraph (A), respond to any nomination submitted under that subparagraph.
A nomination for designation under paragraph (1)(A) shall include supporting documentation, including— the native species for which the National Wildlife Corridor would be designated; summaries and references of, with respect to the designation of a National Wildlife Corridor— the best science available at the time of the submission of the nomination for designation documenting why the corridor is needed; and the most current scientific reports available at the time of the submission of the nomination for designation; information with respect to how the nomination was coordinated with potential partners; a description of supporting stakeholders, such as States, Indian Tribes, local governments, scientific organizations, nongovernmental organizations, and affected voluntary private landowners; and any additional information the Secretaries, in consultation with the National Coordination Committee, determine is relevant to the nomination.
Any designation of a National Wildlife Corridor on a military installation— shall be consistent with the use of military installations and State-owned National Guard installations to ensure the preparedness of the Armed Forces; and may not result in a net loss in the capability of military installation lands to support the military mission of the installation. The Secretary of Defense may suspend or terminate the designation of any National Wildlife Corridor on a military installation if the Secretary of Defense considers the suspension or termination to be necessary for military purposes, after public notice of the suspension or termination.