WASHINGTON, D.C. – October 15, 2026 – Ducks Unlimited (DU) and conservation partners in the Pacific Northwest applaud the introduction of the bipartisan Northwest Wetlands Voluntary Incentives Program (VIP) Act in the U.S. House of Representatives, led by Reps. Val Hoyle (OR), Ryan Zinke (MT), and Kim Schrier (WA).
Unlimited.
“We’re thankful to Reps. Hoyle, Zinke, and Schrier for introducing the Northwest Wetlands VIP Act in the House of Representatives. The future of conservation is on private working lands. This important legislation will bring much-needed resources for landowners to more effectively provide multi-benefits for people, wildlife, agriculture, and wetlands in the Northwest and the Columbia River Basin.”
Jeff McCreary, Ducks Unlimited Director of Operations for the Western Region
The Northwest Wetlands VIP Act is a bipartisan bill that would create a new grant program under the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to provide critical water infrastructure and on-the-ground habitat needs for waterfowl and migratory birds in the Columbia River Basin and along the Washington and Oregon coasts. These areas are important habitats for waterfowl breeding and migratory needs, as well as for other wildlife species like salmon and steelhead.
“Conservation is a team effort, and everyone needs to play their part,” said Rep. Hoyle. “Our bipartisan bill supports habitat restoration and active management of invasive species across Northwest wetlands that support Tribes, farmers and other local economies. This work will strengthen our climate resilience, supporting these lands for the next generation.”
“Good conservation starts by bringing everyone to the table,” said Rep. Zinke. “The Northwest Wetlands VIP Act gives farmers, ranchers, Tribes, sportsmen and local communities a way to work together on voluntary projects that restore wetlands and keep working lands working. That’s how we protect habitat and water for the next generation. I'm proud to support this legislation.”
“Farmers, Tribes, and local communities across our region rely on wetlands and the species they protect,” said Congresswoman Schrier. “I am proud that this bipartisan bill will take a meaningful step to make sure Washingtonians continue to benefit from these important habitats that are a critical part of our ecosystem.”
The bill was introduced as S.1615 in the Senate last year, led by Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Sen. Mike Crapo (R-ID).
If passed, these grants will be directly accessible to western landowners and managers, such as farmers and ranchers, who need reliable water supplies and infrastructure for their operations. They will also help develop partnerships with other eligible grant recipients, such as Tribes and nonprofit organizations like Ducks Unlimited.
Along with DU, the legislation is supported by a host of nonpartisan, regional conservation organizations, including the Coalition of Oregon Land Trusts (COLT), Montana Wildlife Federation, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership (TRCP), Pacific Birds Habitat Joint Venture (Pacific Birds), Trout Unlimited, Oregon Agricultural Trust, Washington State Audubon, and more.
"The Columbia River Basin holds critical habitat for migratory birds and other wetland-dependent species,” said Joe Buttafuoco, COLT Executive Director. “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 Reps. Hoyle, Zinke, and Schrier for advancing this important legislation."
“Wetlands on the coast of Oregon and Washington and within the Columbia River Basin are vital for millions of waterbirds and wetland-dependent species. Support for durable ecosystems, strong partnerships, and natural and working landscapes will deliver real benefits for wildlife, communities, and the economy of the Pacific Northwest. The NW Wetlands VIP Act emphasizes collaboration — 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 Management Board.
“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 also help producers improve agricultural production on parts of their properties. The Act also provides funding to support conservation easements, which protect farms and ranches for agriculture and associated habitat,” said Nellie McAdams, Executive Director of Oregon Agricultural Trust.
“Montana’s waterfowl hunters and anglers depend on healthy, connected wetlands, and the birds we chase each fall rely on habitat across the entire Columbia River Basin. The Northwest Wetlands VIP Act gives ranchers, farmers, and Tribes a voluntary way to restore that habitat while keeping working lands working, so our kids and grandkids still have ducks in our skies and fish in our rivers,” said Frank Szollosi, Executive Director of the Montana Wildlife Federation.
"TRCP appreciates Reps. Hoyle, Zinke, and Schrier introducing the NW Wetlands VIP Act,” said Michael O’Casey, Director of Public Lands for the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership. “As someone who learned to hunt and fish among the many wetlands and sloughs at the mouth of the mighty Columbia River, and who has seen firsthand the impact of development and fragmentation, this legislation would provide a healthy boost to wetland conservation for both private landowners and the public.”
“The Association of Northwest Steelheaders strongly supports S.1615 and the continued commitment to policies that protect and strengthen the future of our fisheries, waterways, and outdoor heritage," said James Adkins, Executive Director, Association of Northwest Steelheaders. "Healthy rivers and responsible stewardship are essential to sustaining wild fish populations, supporting local communities, and preserving opportunities for future generations of anglers. Prime habitat for migrating waterfowl also provides critical rearing habitat for juvenile salmon, steelhead and other endangered aquatic species of the Pacific Northwest. We appreciate congressional leadership in advancing this important legislation.”
“The Northwest Wetlands VIP Act recognizes the importance of investing in wetland infrastructure and habitat restoration projects that benefit both working lands and wild places,” said Christopher Borgatti, Policy & Conservation Manager for Backcountry Hunters & Anglers. “BHA applauds Reps. Hoyle, Zinke, and Schrier for championing this commonsense investment in the future of wetlands, waterfowl, and public access throughout the Columbia River Basin and coastal wetlands.”
“Healthy wetlands provide a critical foundation for healthy rivers,” said Lindsay Slater, Trout Unlimited Vice President of Government Affairs. “By incentivizing voluntary restoration and conservation, the bipartisan Northwest Wetlands VIP Act will improve water quality, sustain coldwater fisheries, and benefit the communities that depend on them. Trout Unlimited supports this collaborative approach that helps landowners, sportsmen, and conservation partners work together in the Columbia River Basin and along the coast of Oregon and Washington to restore habitat while keeping working lands working.”
“Healthy wetlands are essential to birds, coastal ecosystems, and the people and communities who help care for these landscapes,” said Amanda Kaplan, vice president for the National Audubon Society’s Washington state office. “The Northwest Wetlands Voluntary Incentives Program Act would give landowners, Tribes and conservation partners resources to restore and improve wetland habitat that shorebirds and waterfowl depend on across the Columbia River Basin and the Pacific Northwest coast. By supporting voluntary conservation efforts, this legislation would also strengthen Audubon’s work with ranchers and other landowners to improve habitat on working lands throughout the region. We thank Reps. Hoyle, Zinke, and Schrier for introducing this bipartisan bill.”
“Healthy wetlands are essential to healthy river systems, supporting fish, waterfowl, and other bird species while helping ensure clean drinking water,” said Liz Hamilton, Policy Director for the Northwest Sportfishing Industry Association. “We thank Representatives Hoyle, Zinke, and Schrier for working with Ducks Unlimited to advance this important legislation. These projects will create jobs during implementation and support long-term employment across the region through the outdoor recreation economy.”
"Healthy wetlands are foundational to Washington’s economy, ecosystems, and communities,” said Washington Association of Land Trusts (WALT) Executive Director Erik Kingfisher. “The Northwest Wetlands VIP Act would provide much needed investments in enhancing, maintaining and restoring these vital lands across the Columbia River Basin, Washington coastal zone, and throughout the Puget Sound. As land trusts with the skills to make these projects happen across our beautiful state, we support this bipartisan legislation that would empower landowners through a voluntary, partnership-based approach to establish an open space legacy and enable the care and restoration of these lands to sustain them for future generations."
For more information, visit www.ducks.org, and be sure to follow DU’s Twitter feeds – @DucksUnlimited and @DUConserve – to get the most up-to-date news from Ducks Unlimited.
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Ducks Unlimited Inc. is the world's largest nonprofit organization dedicated to conserving North America's continually disappearing wetlands, grasslands and other waterfowl habitats. Established in 1937, Ducks Unlimited has restored or protected more than 20 million acres thanks to contributions from more than a million supporters across the continent. Guided by science, DU’s projects benefit waterfowl, wildlife and people in all 50 states. Learn more at www.ducks.org.
