Primer for Counties: County Planning for Wildlife Habitat Connectivity
Upcoming Events
Related News
The third report of the National Center for Public Lands Counties (NCPLC) provides foundational information on wildlife habitat connectivity for public lands county leaders including an introduction to the wildlife habitat connectivity concept, an overview of the land use planning tools counties can use to reduce human-wildlife conflict and an examination of county authority and the role counties play as intergovernmental partners in wildlife habitat connectivity planning.
As stewards of landscapes where federal public lands and private development intersect, public lands counties face growing pressure to manage wildlife habitat connectivity with limited planning resources and tools. Wildlife habitat fragmentation drives vehicle-wildlife collisions that cost the nation more than $8 billion annually, strain local emergency response and undermine the outdoor recreation and hunting economies that many public lands counties depend on. Understanding the land use planning frameworks available at the county level is essential to informed decision making on public safety, economic development and long-term landscape health.
The report identifies practical planning tools counties can use including comprehensive plans, zoning ordinances, overlay zones, resource management plans and voluntary conservation programs. It also draws on five case studies to illustrate how public lands counties are putting these tools into practice: San Diego County, Calif.; Routt County, Colo.; Kane County, Utah; Albemarle County, Va.; and Teton County, Wyo.
National Center for Public Lands Counties
The NACo Center for Public Lands Counties advances research, policy and collaboration to help counties with federal lands address unique challenges and strengthen local outcomes.
Senate begins reauthorization process for State Revolving Fund programs and other water infrastructure programs
On July 13, leaders of the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee released the text of its Water Resources Development Act of 2026 (WRDA 2026). In addition to reauthorizing major projects through the U.S. Army of Corps of Engineers (Army Corps), the bipartisan legislation would reauthorize the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (SRF) programs.
U.S. House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee advances 2026 Water Resources Development Act
On July 14, the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee favorably reported H.R. 9497, the Water Resources Development Act of 2026 (WRDA) by a bipartisan 66-0 vote. The bill now awaits consideration by the full House of Representatives. The WRDA 2026 markup was originally scheduled for July 1 but was rescheduled to July 14 due to changes to the House calendar.
FERC orders regional grid operators to reform rules for large load grid connections
FERC orders regional grid operators to reform rules for large load grid connections
U.S. EPA announces nearly $250 million in FY 2026 Brownfields program grants
On June 24, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the distribution of nearly $250 million in funding for the Brownfields Multipurpose, Assessment and Cleanup grant program. The grants flowed to more than 190 state and local government recipients around the country to support redevelopment and renewal projects on brownfield sites.
NACo testifies before Congress on national forest partnerships, urges long-term SRS reauthorization
Modoc County, Calif. Supervisor Ned Coe testified before the House Agriculture Committee's Subcommittee on Forestry and Horticulture on behalf of NACo this week, making the case for stronger federal-county partnerships in national forest management — and urging Congress to act on Secure Rural Schools (SRS) reauthorization before the program lapses at the end of fiscal year (FY) 2026.