Endangered Species Conservation-Wolf Livestock Loss Compensation and Prevention

The Wolf Livestock Loss Demonstration Project Grant Program, authorized through Subtitle C of the Omnibus Public Lands Management Act of 2009, provides federal financial assistance to states and tribes to assist livestock producers in undertaking proactive, nonlethal activities to reduce the risk of livestock loss due to predation by wolves and to reimburse livestock producers for livestock losses due to such predation. Proactive, nonlethal preventive measures eligible for funding include, but are not limited to, fencing, livestock guard dogs, and range riders who patrol areas occupied by livestock susceptible to predation by wolves. Depredation compensation funding may be used for the reimbursement of livestock losses due to confirmed wolf depredation. Qualifying livestock includes cattle, swine, horses, mules, sheep, goats and livestock guard animals.

Funds are available only to States and Indian tribes with prior history of wolf depredation. To be eligible to receive a grant, a State or Indian tribe must (1) designate an appropriate agency of the State or Indian tribe to administer the one or more programs 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 annual reports to the Secretary of the Interior that include a summary of claims and expenditures under the program during the year, a description of any action taken on the claims, and such other reports as the Secretary may require to assist the Secretary in determining the effectiveness of activities provided assistance through this program; (5) promulgate rules for reimbursing livestock producers under the program. Applicants are also required to fully assess any claim of livestock depredation prior to issuing payment. OMB Circular No. A-87 applies to this program.

Qualifying projects must include at a minimum a 50 percent non-Federal cost share. The cost share may be cash or a third party in-kind contribution, such as volunteer efforts and donations of goods or services.