Endangered Species Conservation - Wolf Livestock Loss Compensation and Prevention Grants

Subtitle C of the Omnibus Public Lands Management Act of 2009 (P.L. 111-11) authorized the Wolf Livestock Loss Demonstration Project (Program) with two purposes: 1) Prevention - Provide funding to assist livestock producers in undertaking proactive, nonlethal activities to reduce the risk of livestock loss due to predation by wolves; and 2) Compensation - Provide funding to reimburse livestock producers for livestock losses due to such predation. Federal financial assistance, provided in the form of grants, can be used to support the implementation of state and tribal programs designed to assist...

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 Service Program Coordinator (see Section G) (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 require to assist in determining the effectiveness of activities provided assistance under this program; and (5) promulgate rules for reimbursing livestock producers under the program. In addition, to ensure funds are achieving immediate conservation benefit, applicants must have fully expended Program grant funds from FY 2017 and prior years. Further, to be eligible to receive 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 be eligible to receive 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.

Kelly Niland FWS_ES_GRANTS@fws.gov