IB 
Union Calendar No. 412 
117TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 2872 
[Report No. 117–571] 
To establish an integrated national approach to respond to ongoing and 
expected effects of extreme weather and climate change by protecting, 
managing, and conserving the fish, wildlife, and plants of the United 
States, and to maximize Government efficiency and reduce costs, in 
cooperation with State, local, and Tribal Governments and other entities, 
and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
APRIL 28, 2021 
Mr. CARTWRIGHT (for himself, Mr. CASE, Mr. CASTEN, Ms. CLARKE of New 
York, Mr. COHEN, Mr. CONNOLLY, Mr. DESAULNIER, Mrs. DINGELL, 
Mrs. KIRKPATRICK, Mr. LYNCH, Ms. MENG, Mrs. NAPOLITANO, Ms. 
NORTON, Mr. POCAN, Mr. RASKIN, Ms. SCANLON, Mr. THOMPSON of 
Mississippi, and Ms. VELA´ZQUEZ) introduced the following bill; which was 
referred to the Committee on Natural Resources 
NOVEMBER 16, 2022 
Additional sponsors: Mr. HUFFMAN, Mr. PANETTA, Ms. KUSTER, Ms. 
BROWNLEY, Mr. LOWENTHAL, Ms. JAYAPAL, and Ms. ESHOO 
NOVEMBER 16, 2022 
Reported from the Committee on Natural Resources; committed to the Com-
mittee of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered to be 
printed 
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A BILL 
To establish an integrated national approach to respond to 
ongoing and expected effects of extreme weather and 
climate change by protecting, managing, and conserving 
the fish, wildlife, and plants of the United States, and 
to maximize Government efficiency and reduce costs, in 
cooperation with State, local, and Tribal Governments 
and other entities, and for other purposes. 
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Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Safeguarding Amer-
ica’s Future and Environment Act’’ or the ‘‘SAFE Act’’. 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS, PURPOSES, AND POLICY. 
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds that— 
(1) healthy, diverse, and productive commu-
nities of fish, wildlife, and plants provide significant 
benefits to the people and economy of the United 
States, including— 
(A) abundant clean water supplies; 
(B) flood and coastal storm protection; 
(C) clean air; 
(D) a source of food, fiber, medicines, and 
pollination of the crops and other plants of the 
United States; 
(E) outdoor recreation, which is a source 
of jobs and economic stimulus; 
(F) hunting and fishing opportunities and 
support for subsistence communities; 
(G) opportunities for scientific research 
and education; 
(H) world-class tourism destinations that 
support local economies; and 
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(I) sequestration and storage of carbon to 
help mitigate changes to the global climate sys-
tem; 
(2) the United States Geological Survey, Na-
tional Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Na-
tional Aeronautics and Space Administration, and 
other agencies within the United States Global 
Change Research Program have observed that the 
fish, wildlife, and plants of the United States are 
facing increasing risks from changing patterns of ex-
treme weather and climate, including— 
(A) severe droughts and heatwaves; 
(B) severe storms and floods; 
(C) frequent and severe wildfires; 
(D) more frequent and severe outbreaks of 
forest pests and invasive species; 
(E) flooding and erosion of coastal areas 
due to rising sea levels; 
(F) melting glaciers and sea ice; 
(G) thawing permafrost; 
(H) shifting distributions of fish, wildlife, 
and plant populations; 
(I) disruptive shifts in the timing of fish, 
wildlife, and plant natural history cycles, such 
as blooming, breeding, and seasonal migrations; 
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(J) increasing ocean temperatures and 
acidification; 
(K) altered patterns of rain, snow, runoff, 
and streamflow; and 
(L) habitat loss, degradation, fragmenta-
tion, and movement; and 
(3) the Federal Government should provide 
leadership in preparing for and responding to the ef-
fects described in paragraph (2) to ensure that 
present and future generations continue to receive 
the benefits of the abundant and diverse fish, wild-
life, and plant resources of the United States. 
(b) PURPOSES.—The purpose of this Act is to estab-
lish an integrated national approach— 
(1) to respond to ongoing and expected effects 
of extreme weather and climate change by pro-
tecting, managing, and conserving the fish, wildlife, 
and plants of the United States; and 
(2) to maximize Government efficiency and re-
duce costs, in cooperation with State, local, and 
Tribal Governments and other entities. 
(c) NATIONAL FISH, WILDLIFE, AND PLANTS CLI-
MATE CHANGE ADAPTATION POLICY.—It is the policy of 
the Federal Government, in cooperation with State and 
local governments, Indian Tribes, and other interested 
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stakeholders to evaluate and reduce the increased risks 
and vulnerabilities associated with climate change and ex-
treme weather events, and to use all practicable means to 
protect, manage, and conserve healthy, diverse, and pro-
ductive fish, wildlife, and plant populations. 
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS. 
In this Act: 
(1) 
ADAPTATION.—The 
term 
‘‘adaptation’’ 
means— 
(A) the process of adjustment to actual or 
expected climate and the effects of climate 
change; and 
(B) with respect to fish, wildlife, and 
plants, protection, management, and conserva-
tion efforts designed to maintain or enhance the 
ability of fish, wildlife, and plants to withstand, 
adjust to, or recover from the effects of extreme 
weather and climate change (including, where 
applicable, ocean acidification, drought, flood-
ing, and wildfire). 
(2) CENTER.—The term ‘‘Center’’ means the 
National Climate Change and Wildlife Science Cen-
ter established under section 6(a)(1). 
(3) 
COMMITTEE.—The 
term 
‘‘Committee’’ 
means the Advisory Committee on Climate Change 
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and Natural Resource Sciences established under 
section 6(b)(1). 
(4) ECOLOGICAL PROCESSES.—The term ‘‘eco-
logical processes’’ means biological, chemical, or 
physical interaction between the biotic and abiotic 
components of an ecosystem, including— 
(A) decomposition; 
(B) disease epizootiology; 
(C) disturbance regimes, such as fire and 
flooding; 
(D) gene flow; 
(E) hydrological cycling; 
(F) larval dispersal and settlement; 
(G) nutrient cycling; 
(H) pollination; 
(I) predator-prey relationships; and 
(J) soil formation. 
(5) HABITAT.—The term ‘‘habitat’’ means the 
physical, chemical, and biological properties that 
fish, wildlife, or plants use for growth, reproduction, 
survival, food, water, or cover (whether on land, in 
water, or in an area or region). 
(6) HABITAT CONNECTIVITY.—The term ‘‘habi-
tat connectivity’’ means areas that facilitate terres-
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trial, marine, estuarine, and freshwater fish, wildlife, 
or plant movement that is necessary— 
(A) for migration, gene flow, or dispersal; 
or 
(B) to respond to the ongoing and ex-
pected effects of climate change (including, 
where applicable, ocean acidification, drought, 
flooding, and wildfire). 
(7) INDIAN TRIBE.—The term ‘‘Indian Tribe’’ 
has the meaning given the term in section 4 of the 
Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance 
Act (25 U.S.C. 5304(e)). 
(8) NATIONAL STRATEGY.—The term ‘‘National 
Strategy’’ means the National Fish, Wildlife, and 
Plants Climate Adaptation Strategy released March 
26, 2013. 
(9) RESILIENCE; RESILIENT.—The terms ‘‘re-
silience’’ and ‘‘resilient’’ mean the ability to antici-
pate, prepare for, and adapt to changing conditions 
and withstand, respond to, and recover rapidly from 
disruptions. 
(10) STATE.—The term ‘‘State’’ means— 
(A) a State of the United States; 
(B) the District of Columbia; 
(C) American Samoa; 
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(D) Guam; 
(E) the Commonwealth of the Northern 
Mariana Islands; 
(F) the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; 
and 
(G) the United States Virgin Islands. 
(11) WORKING
GROUP.—The term ‘‘Working 
Group’’ means the National Fish, Wildlife, and 
Plants Climate Adaptation Strategy Joint Imple-
mentation Working Group established under section 
4(a). 
SEC. 4. NATIONAL FISH, WILDLIFE, AND PLANTS CLIMATE 
ADAPTATION STRATEGY JOINT IMPLEMENTA-
TION WORKING GROUP. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—Not later than 90 days after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the President shall es-
tablish a National Fish, Wildlife, and Plants Climate Ad-
aptation Strategy Joint Implementation Working Group 
composed of the heads of Federal and State agencies or 
departments with jurisdiction over fish, wildlife, and plant 
resources of the United States, and Tribal representatives, 
as follows: 
(1) The Administrator of the Environmental 
Protection Agency. 
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(2) The Administrator of the Federal Emer-
gency Management Agency. 
(3) The Administrator of the National Oceanic 
and Atmospheric Administration. 
(4) The Chair of the Council on Environmental 
Quality. 
(5) The Chief of Engineers. 
(6) The Chief of the Forest Service. 
(7) The Commissioner of Reclamation. 
(8) The Director of the Bureau of Indian Af-
fairs. 
(9) The Director of the Bureau of Land Man-
agement. 
(10) The Director of the National Park Service. 
(11) The Director of the United States Fish 
and Wildlife Service. 
(12) The Director of the United States Geologi-
cal Survey. 
(13) The Secretary of Agriculture. 
(14) The Secretary of Defense. 
(15) State representatives from each regional 
association of State fish and wildlife agencies. 
(16) Not less than 2 Tribal representatives. 
(b) DUTIES.—The Working Group shall serve as a 
forum for interagency consultation on, and the coordina-
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tion of, the development and implementation of the Na-
tional Strategy. 
(c) CO-CHAIRS.—There shall be 4 co-chairs, of 
whom— 
(1) two shall be representatives of the Federal 
Government; 
(2) one shall be a representative of a State; and 
(3) one shall be a Tribal representative. 
SEC. 5. NATIONAL FISH, WILDLIFE, AND PLANTS CLIMATE 
ADAPTATION STRATEGY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Working Group shall adopt 
the National Strategy to protect, manage, and conserve 
fish, wildlife, and plants to maintain the inherent resil-
ience and adaptability of fish, wildlife, and plants to with-
stand the ongoing and expected effects of extreme weather 
and climate change. 
(b) REVIEW AND REVISION.—Not later than 1 year 
after each release of the assessment required under section 
106 of the Global Change Research Act of 1990 (15 
U.S.C. 2936), the Working Group shall— 
(1) use sound science to review and revise the 
National Strategy to incorporate— 
(A) new information regarding the ongoing 
and expected effects of climate change on fish, 
wildlife, and plants; and 
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(B) advances in the development of fish, 
wildlife, and plant adaptation strategies; and 
(2) in carrying out paragraph (1), provide pub-
lic notice and opportunity for comment. 
(c) CONTENTS.—A revised National Strategy shall— 
(1) assess the vulnerability of fish, wildlife, and 
plants to climate change, including short-term, me-
dium-term, long-term, and cumulative impacts; 
(2) describe current observation and monitoring 
activities at the Federal, State, Tribal, and local lev-
els relating to the ongoing and expected effects of 
climate change on fish, wildlife, and plants; 
(3) identify and prioritize research and data 
needs; 
(4) identify fish, wildlife, and plants likely to 
have the greatest need for protection, restoration, 
and conservation due to the ongoing and expanding 
effects of extreme weather and climate change; 
(5) include specific protocols for integrating 
fish, wildlife, and plant adaptation strategies and ac-
tivities into the conservation and management of 
natural resources by Federal agencies to ensure con-
sistency across agency jurisdictions; 
(6) identify opportunities for maintaining, re-
storing, or enhancing fish, wildlife, and plants to re-
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duce the risks of extreme weather and climate 
change on other vulnerable sectors of society; 
(7) identify Federal policies and actions that 
may reduce resilience and increase the vulnerability 
of fish, wildlife, and plants to extreme weather and 
climate change; 
(8) include specific actions that Federal agen-
cies shall take to protect, conserve, and manage fish, 
wildlife, and plants to maintain the inherent resil-
ience and adaptability of fish, wildlife, and plants to 
withstand, adjust to, or recover from the ongoing 
and expected effects of climate change, including a 
timeline to implement those actions; 
(9) include specific mechanisms for ensuring 
communication and coordination— 
(A) among Federal agencies; and 
(B) between Federal agencies and State 
agencies, territories of the United States, In-
dian Tribes, private landowners, conservation 
organizations, and other countries that share 
jurisdiction over fish, wildlife, and plants with 
the United States; 
(10) include specific actions to develop and im-
plement coordinated fish, wildlife, and plants inven-
tory and monitoring protocols through interagency 
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coordination and collaboration with States and local 
governments, Indian Tribes, and private organiza-
tions; and 
(11) include procedures for guiding the develop-
ment of detailed strategy implementation plans re-
quired under section 7. 
(d) IMPLEMENTATION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Consistent with other laws 
and Federal trust responsibilities concerning Indian 
land or rights of Indians under treaties with the 
United States, each Federal agency shall integrate 
the elements of the National Strategy that relate to 
conservation, management, and protection of fish, 
wildlife, and plants into agency plans, environmental 
reviews, and programs. 
(2) PUBLIC
REPORT.—The Working Group 
shall, on a biannual basis, between revisions to the 
National Strategy, make available to the public a re-
port documenting any actions implementing the 
Strategy. 
(3) COORDINATION.—The Working Group shall 
coordinate the implementation of the National Strat-
egy with Federal agencies not represented on the 
Working Group to achieve the policy of the United 
States described in section 2(c). 
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SEC. 
6. 
FISH, 
WILDLIFE, 
AND 
PLANTS 
ADAPTATION 
SCIENCE AND INFORMATION. 
(a) NATIONAL CLIMATE CHANGE
AND WILDLIFE 
SCIENCE CENTER.— 
(1) AUTHORIZATION.—The Secretary of the In-
terior, in collaboration with the States, Indian 
Tribes, and other partner organizations, shall estab-
lish a National Climate Change and Wildlife Science 
Center. 
(2) DUTIES OF CENTER.—The Center shall as-
sess and develop scientific information, tools, strate-
gies, and techniques to support the Working Group, 
Federal and State agencies, Tribes, regionally based 
science and conservation centers, regional coordi-
nating entities, and other interested parties in ad-
dressing the effects of extreme weather and climate 
change on fish, wildlife, and plants. 
(3) GENERAL AUTHORITY TO ENTER INTO CON-
TRACTS, 
GRANTS, 
AND
COOPERATIVE
AGREE-
MENTS.—The Secretary may enter into contracts, 
grants, or cooperative agreements with State agen-
cies, State cooperative extension services, institutions 
of higher education, other research or educational 
institutions and organizations, Tribal organizations, 
Federal and private agencies and organizations, indi-
viduals, and any other contractor or recipient, to 
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