NW Lawmakers Look To Keep Wild Spaces Wild

Oregon Senator Ron Wyden along with Idaho's Mike Crapo introduced bipartisan legislation Tuesday they said would improve wetland habitats in the Pacific Northwest.  The Northwest Wetlands Voluntary Incentives Program Act would establish a federal grant and assistance program empowering government agencies, tribes, nonprofits, landowners, among other entities to work together in both restoring and enhancing habitats for wetland-dependent birds living in the Columbia River Basin and along Oregon and Washington’s coast.  These projects include water infrastructure and management and enhancement of vegetative habitat, which could be implemented on public, private, Tribal, and other land determined by the Interior Secretary.

“Restoring our wetlands is about more than just providing habitat for birds and other wildlife living along the Pacific Northwest coast," Wyden said.  "It is about investing in the watersheds where Tribes, farmers, and other local Pacific Northwest communities have maintained their way of life for generations.  Our bipartisan bill will make sure Oregonians and people across the Pacific Northwest can continue to benefit from healthy landscapes that provide the clean water and habitat that make our region so special.”

“Preserving critical wetland habitat is vital to protecting open landscapes for the diverse species – including numerous varieties of birds and fish – that call Idaho home,” Crapo said. “Investments in public-private partnerships in Idaho and the Pacific Northwest will help keep wild spaces wild and protect the natural wonders that Idahoans treasure.”

The Northwest Wetlands Voluntary Incentives Program Act is endorsed by Idaho Wildlife Federation, Ducks Unlimited, Pacific Birds Habitat Joint Venture, Coalition of Oregon Land Trusts, and Oregon Agricultural Trust.

“This important legislation will bring much needed resources for improving water infrastructure to provide multi-benefits for agricultural lands and wetland habitats in the Northwest and Columbia River Basin. We are thankful to Senators Wyden and Crapo for introducing the Northwest Wetlands VIP Act,”  said Jeff McCreary, Operations Director for the Western Region of Ducks Unlimited.

“We appreciate Senators Crapo and Wyden introducing the NW Wetlands VIP Act. Sportsmen and the wildlife we work to conserve - as well as area farmers that are such critical partners in landscape conservation - will benefit from the habitat restoration opportunities and infrastructure improvements that this legislation will provide. As our wetland habitats face long-term threats of degradation and fragmentation, this legislation is all the more critical,” said Nick Fasciano, Executive Director of the Idaho Wildlife Federation.

“The Northwest Wetlands VIP Act is strongly aligned with the priorities of Pacific Birds Habitat Joint Venture (Pacific Birds). The bill supports wetlands conservation on the coast of Oregon and Washington and within the Columbia River Basin; areas that are vital for millions of waterbirds and wetland-dependent species. The proposal represents a smart federal investment in durable ecosystems, strong partnerships, and natural and working landscapes. It offers an actionable way to advance Pacific Birds’ priorities and deliver real benefits for wildlife, communities, and the economy of the Pacific Northwest. The NW Wetlands VIP Act emphasizes collaboration among Tribes, nonprofits, local governments, and landowners—consistent with Pacific Birds’ partnership-driven approach. This bill will provide resources for the installation, maintenance, and replacement of critical infrastructure, which aligns with Pacific Birds’ goal to support long-term habitat management while emphasizing multi-species benefits and multi-benefit projects, and empowering collaborative on the ground action,” said Glenn Lamb, Vice Chair of the Pacific Birds Habitat Joint Venture Board of Directors.

“The Columbia River Basin holds critical habitat for migratory birds and other wetland dependent species. COLT and our members are thrilled about the bipartisan NW Wetlands VIP Act. This bill would offer grants that land trusts, Tribes, private landowners, and nonprofits can use to improve habitat, manage invasive species, and restore floodplain connectivity. Thank you to Senators Wyden and Crapo for advancing this important legislation,” said Joe Buttafuoco, Executive Director at Coalition of Oregon Land Trusts.

“The Northwest Wetlands VIP Act would bring critical infrastructure dollars to Pacific Northwest farmers and ranchers. These water management projects not only enhance and restore wetland habitat for migratory birds, but help producers improve agricultural production on parts of their properties. The Act also provides funding to support conservation easements (up to 10% of the total grant award) which protect farms and ranches for agriculture and associated habitat,” said Nellie McAdams, Executive Director of Oregon Agricultural Trust.

“Access and opportunity for the sportsmen and women of Idaho who hunt, fish, trap and recreationally shoot, is paramount. In a state where water is our most precious resource, Idaho farmers and landowners are working hard to provide more managed wetlands and habitat. Many landowners in Idaho, and across the west, share our conservation goals and work with sportsmen in a pragmatic and collaborative way to meet the needs of Idaho. These efforts should be supported, bolstered, and recognized with the passage of this important bill,” said Benn Brocksome, Founder and Chairman of Idaho Sportsmen, Access & Opportunity. 

Click Here to read Northwest Wetlands Voluntary Incentives Program Act.

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