Highlands Conservation Reauthorization Act of 2021

To reauthorize the Highlands Conservation Act, to authorize States to use funds from that Act for administrative purposes, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Highlands Conservation Reauthorization Act of 2021 2. Reauthorization of the Highlands Conservation Act The Highlands Conservation Act ( Public Law 108–421 (1) in section 3— (A) by amending paragraph (1) to read as follows: (1) Highlands region The term Highlands region (A) the area depicted on the map entitled The Highlands Region Highlands Conservation Reauthorization Act of 2021 (B) a municipality approved by the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service under section 4(e). ; (B) in paragraph (3), by amending subparagraph (B) to read as follows: (B) identified by a Highlands State as having high conservation value using the best available science and geographic information systems; and ; (C) in paragraph (4)(A), by striking ; or , including a political subdivision thereof; or (D) by striking paragraphs (5) through (7); (2) in section 4— (A) in subsection (a)(1), by striking in the Study using the best available science and geographic information systems; and (B) in subsection (c), by amending paragraph (5) to read as follows: (5) provides that land conservation partnership projects will be consistent with areas identified as having high conservation value in accordance with the purposes described in section 2 in the Highlands region. ; (C) in subsection (e), by striking $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2005 through 2021 $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2028 (D) by redesignating subsection (e) as subsection (g); and (E) by inserting after subsection (d) the following: (e) Request for inclusion of additional municipality The Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service may, at the request of a Highlands State, approve the inclusion of a municipality within the State as part of the Highlands region. (f) Limitation on administrative expenses (1) Federal administration The Secretary of the Interior may not expend more than $300,000 for the administration of this Act in each fiscal year. (2) State administration A State that receives funds under this section for a land conservation partnership project may not use more than 5 percent of the funds to administer the land conservation partnership project. ; (3) in section 5— (A) in subsection (a), by striking the Study, Update, and any future study that the Forest Service may undertake in (B) in subsection (b)— (i) in paragraph (1), by striking , including a Pennsylvania and Connecticut Update (ii) in paragraph (2), by striking the findings with stakeholders regarding implementation of the program; and (C) in subsection (c), by striking 2005 through 2014 2022 through 2028 (4) in section 6, by adding at the end the following: (f) Appraisal methodology (1) In general With respect to an appraisal related to a land acquisition carried out under this Act, a Highlands State may use an appraisal methodology approved by the Secretary of the Interior. (2) Alternative appraisal methodology A Highlands State may petition the Secretary of the Interior to consider an alternative appraisal methodology when there is a conflict, in any Highlands State, between— (A) an appraisal methodology approved by the Secretary of the Interior under paragraph (1); and (B) applicable State law. .

Summary: Highlands Conservation Reauthorization Act of 2021 This bill extends through FY2028 the Highlands Conservation Act, which provides for land conservation in Highlands states (i.e., Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania). The bill authorizes the Fish and Wildlife Service to add a municipality to the Highlands region upon the request of a Highlands state. The bill revises the way in which land is identified for conservation to require using the best available science and geographic information systems. The bill allows political subdivisions of states to enter into agreements with the Department of the Interior for land conservation projects. A Highland state that receives funds for a land conservation partnership project may not use more than 5% of the funds to administer that project. The bill extends through FY2028 Forest Service and other Department of Agriculture programs to conserve land and natural resources in the Highlands region.