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

Summary

Creates a grant program run by the Interior and Agriculture departments to give money to States and Indian Tribes. The money helps livestock producers prevent and study attacks by federally protected species and pays for animals killed or injured by those species. Definitions in one line each: depredation = death, injury, or destruction of livestock by a federally protected species (not other property, disease, lost profits, or indirect harm); federally protected species = animals covered by the Bald and Golden Eagle law, the Endangered Species Act, or the Migratory Bird Treaty Act; Indian Tribe = the legal meaning in title 25; livestock = animals used for food or fiber (examples: horses, cattle, sheep, goats, poultry, bees, rabbits, swine, llamas, bison) and guard animals; program = the grant program; Secretaries = the Interior and Agriculture departments (through their wildlife and animal health leaders). States and Tribes that want grants must file a report by September 30 each year showing the past year’s livestock losses to protected species. The departments will divide available money among States and Tribes based on those reports. To get money, a State or Tribe must name an agency to run the program, set up accounts, keep claim files, and send annual reports that summarize claims, spending, and actions taken (and any other reports the departments ask for). Joining is optional, and the federal grants are meant to add to, not replace, existing State compensation programs. Congress authorized $15,000,000 a year for fiscal years 2021–2030, with $5,000,000 per year for prevention and research and $10,000,000 per year for compensation.