To provide for the establishment of a National Interagency Seed and Restoration Center, and for other purposes.
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Committee
Latest Action · June 5, 2024
Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
This bill establishes a National Interagency Seed and Restoration Center within the Department of the Interior to coordinate the research, development, and distribution of native plants for ecological restoration projects across the United States. The Center will work with the Departments of Agriculture and Defense, as well as Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations, to restore ecosystems damaged by wildfires, invasive species, natural disasters, and climate change. The legislation creates regional "ecoregional hubs" in each state and territory staffed with plant specialists, seed collection teams, and storage facilities to provide land managers with locally appropriate native plants and technical guidance for restoration work. The bill authorizes $100 million annually for fiscal years 2025 through 2029 to support the Center's operations, research programs, workforce development, and infrastructure needs. The Secretary of the Interior must submit an initial report within one year identifying recommended hub locations and budgets, followed by five-year progress reports assessing the adequacy of native seed supplies and restoration capacity.
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