§8355 Losses of Livestock Due to Depredation by Federally Protected Species

Summary

Creates a grant program that gives money to States and Indian Tribes to help livestock owners who lose animals to certain protected wildlife. "Depredation" means actual death, injury, or destruction of livestock by a federally protected species and does not include damage to other property, diseases, lost profits, or indirect costs. "Federally protected species" means animals protected under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, the Endangered Species Act, or the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. "Indian Tribe" is defined in title 25, section 5304. "Livestock" means common farm animals (horses, cattle, sheep, pigs, goats, poultry, bees, llamas, rabbits, bison, etc.) and includes guard animals. The Secretaries means the Interior Department (Fish and Wildlife Service) and the Agriculture Department (APHIS). States and Tribes must submit a report by September 30 each year showing the prior year’s livestock losses from depredation. The Interior and Agriculture Departments use those reports to divide the money for the next year. Grants can pay for proactive nonlethal prevention and related research, and for compensation for animals killed or injured on federal, state, private, or tribal trust land. To get funds, a State or Tribe must name an agency to run the program, set up accounts, keep claim files and supporting documents, and send annual reports on claims and spending. Participation is optional and the grants are meant to add to, not replace, existing state or tribal programs. Congress authorized $15,000,000 each year for fiscal years 2021 through 2030, with $5,000,000 for prevention and research and $10,000,000 for compensation.