Bill Overview
Title: Native Plant Species Pilot Program Act of 2022
Description: This bill directs the Department of the Interior to carry out a pilot program to prioritize the use of native plant species within geographically diverse units of the National Park System and public land administered by the Bureau of Land Management. In carrying out the pilot program, Interior shall give preference to the use of locally adapted native plant materials where appropriate; incorporate efforts to prevent, control, or eradicate the spread of invasive species; incorporate efforts to use native plants in areas that have experienced a recent wildfire event; and identify situations in which the use of non-native plants may be warranted.
Sponsors: Rep. Cartwright, Matt [D-PA-8]
Target Audience
Population: People living in or near areas managed by the National Park System and Bureau of Land Management worldwide
Estimated Size: 200000000
- The bill primarily impacts ecosystem management practices within the National Park System and lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management, likely affecting park visitors, local wildlife, and native plant biodiversity.
- Conservationists and environmental scientists interested in ecological restoration and native species preservation will be stakeholders.
- Local communities near these lands might experience changes in land management practices, which could impact tourism and local economies.
- The use of native plants could enhance the resilience of ecosystems to wildfires, potentially affecting areas prone to such events.
Reasoning
- The Native Plant Species Pilot Program will primarily affect those living near national parks and BLM lands, such as park rangers, local farmers, environmental scientists, and the general local population.
- It will also potentially impact tourists visiting these areas, as native plants might enhance the natural beauty and ecological integrity of parks.
- Budget limitations mean that the policy's influence will likely be localized to the parks and regions selected for the pilot project, and the overall size of the program is constrained.
- The policy's direct impact on individual wellbeing will likely correlate with personal engagement with these lands, either professionally or recreationally.
Simulated Interviews
Park Ranger (Flagstaff, Arizona)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This program aligns perfectly with our conservation strategy.
- Using native plants can significantly improve the park's biodiversity.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Local Business Owner (Moab, Utah)
Age: 48 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I hope this will bring more visitors to see the native flora.
- If it leads to more tourists, it's definitely good for business.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Ecologist (Gunnison, Colorado)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Great move towards restoring ecosystems.
- This will provide important data for my research.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Retired Veteran (Joshua Tree, California)
Age: 56 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 20/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm optimistic about the park's future health.
- Hope it reduces invasive species.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
BLM Employee (Clark County, Nevada)
Age: 39 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Native plants can help in restoring areas after wildfires.
- This policy could improve land health significantly.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Retired Botanist (Seattle, Washington)
Age: 65 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 9
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Lifelong dream to see native plants prioritized.
- All public lands should do this.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 9 |
Wildlife Photographer (Jackson, Wyoming)
Age: 42 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- More native plants mean better habitats for wildlife.
- I expect to photograph a wider diversity of animals.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Forestry Manager (Bend, Oregon)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Reforesting with native plants is a good practice.
- Could benefit our fire management strategies.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Geologist (Albuquerque, New Mexico)
Age: 31 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think it could stabilize eroding soils.
- Might improve the visitor experience by enhancing landscapes.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
University Student (Austin, Texas)
Age: 22 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 16/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Excited about the learning and volunteer opportunities.
- Will give us great case studies for classes.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $20000000 (Low: $15000000, High: $25000000)
Year 2: $20000000 (Low: $15000000, High: $25000000)
Year 3: $10000000 (Low: $7000000, High: $12000000)
Year 5: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- Availability and supply chains for locally adapted native plant materials may limit initial program expansion.
- Successful integration of local communities and stakeholders in restoration efforts could enhance outcomes.
- The program could set a precedent for larger-scale implementation of native plant species strategies across the nation.