To be eligible for funding, applicants must affirm their commitment to maintaining constructive working relationships with livestock producers and to administering their programs in a manner that is responsive to producer needs and supports continued livestock grazing and production, as appropriate and consistent with applicable law (see Project Narrative section).To be eligible to receive a grant pursuant to P.L. 111-11, a state or tribe must:(1) designate an appropriate agency of the state or tribal government to administer one or both aspects of the program funded by the grant;(2) establish one or more accounts to receive grant funds;(3) maintain files of all claims received under programs funded by the grant, including supporting documentation;(4) submit to the appropriate FWS Regional Contact (A) annual reports that include: (i) a summary of claims and expenditures under the program during the year; and (ii) a description of any action taken on the claims; and (B) such other reports as the Secretary may be required to assist in determining the effectiveness of activities provided assistance under this program; and(5) promulgate rules for reimbursing livestock producers under the program. Additionally, to qualify for depredation compensation funding, a state or tribe must:Ensure proper documentation, retain receipts, and record matching funds expended.Have the ability to protect the evidence of depredation.Coordinate with local United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)-Wildlife Services field representatives, or other authorized official, who will coordinate an investigation.Document payments to ensure fair-market value.Further, to qualify depredation prevention funding, a state or tribe must:Ensure proper documentation, retain receipts, and record matching funds expended.Ensure applicant demonstration of good faith effort to avoid conflicts.Demonstrate effectiveness of non-lethal measures.Finally, applicants must have expended all funds awarded through this grant program from FY 2022 and earlier to be eligible to apply for funding through this opportunity.

Kelly Niland kelly_niland@fws.gov