1. U.S. Code
  2. title 7
  3. chapter 109A
  4. § 8355

Collapse to view only § 8355. Losses of livestock due to depredation by federally protected species

§ 8351. Predatory and other wild animals
(a) In general
(b) Administration
(c) Action by FWS
The Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service shall use the most expeditious procedure practicable to process and administer permits for take of—
(1) a depredating eagle under the Act of June 8, 1940 (commonly known as the “Bald Eagle Protection Act”) (54 Stat. 250, chapter 278; 16 U.S.C. 668 et seq.), or sections 22.11 through 22.32 of title 50, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations) (including depredation of livestock, wildlife, and species protected under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) or any other Federal management program); or
(2) a migratory bird included on the list under section 10.13 of title 50, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations) that is posing a conflict.
(Mar. 2, 1931, ch. 370, § 1, 46 Stat. 1468; Pub. L. 102–237, title X, § 1013(d), Dec. 13, 1991, 105 Stat. 1901; Pub. L. 106–387, § 1(a) [title VII, § 767], Oct. 28, 2000, 114 Stat. 1549, 1549A–44; Pub. L. 115–270, title IV, § 4307, Oct. 23, 2018, 132 Stat. 3886.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 8351

§ 8352. Authorization of expenditures for the eradication and control of predatory and other wild animals

The Secretary of Agriculture is authorized to make such expenditures for equipment, supplies, and materials, including the employment of persons and means in the District of Columbia and elsewhere, and to employ such means as may be necessary to execute the functions imposed upon him by section 8351 of this title.

(Mar. 2, 1931, ch. 370, § 3, 46 Stat. 1469.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 8352

§ 8353. Control of nuisance mammals and birds and those constituting reservoirs of zoonotic diseases; exception

On and after December 22, 1987, the Secretary of Agriculture is authorized, except for urban rodent control, to conduct activities and to enter into agreements with States, local jurisdictions, individuals, and public and private agencies, organizations, and institutions in the control of nuisance mammals and birds and those mammal and bird species that are reservoirs for zoonotic diseases, and to deposit any money collected under any such agreement into the appropriation accounts that incur the costs to be available immediately and to remain available until expended for Animal Damage Control activities.

(Pub. L. 100–202, § 101(k) [title I], Dec. 22, 1987, 101 Stat. 1329–322, 1329–331.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 8353

§ 8354. Expenditures for cooperative agreements to lease aircraft

On and after November 10, 2005, notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary of Agriculture may use appropriations available to the Secretary for activities authorized under sections 8351 to 8353 1

1 See Reference in Text note below.
of this title, under this or any other Act, to enter into cooperative agreements, with a State, political subdivision, or agency thereof, a public or private agency, organization, or any other person, to lease aircraft if the Secretary determines that the objectives of the agreement will: (1) serve a mutual interest of the parties to the agreement in carrying out the programs administered by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services; and (2) all parties will contribute resources to the accomplishment of these objectives; award of a cooperative agreement authorized by the Secretary may be made for an initial term not to exceed 5 years.

(Pub. L. 109–97, title VII, § 749, Nov. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 2156.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 8354

§ 8355. Losses of livestock due to depredation by federally protected species
(a) DefinitionsIn this section:
(1) Depredation
(A) In general
(B) ExclusionsThe term “depredation” does not include damage to real or personal property other than livestock, including—
(i) damage to—(I) other animals;(II) vegetation;(III) motor vehicles; or(IV) structures;
(ii) diseases;
(iii) lost profits; or
(iv) consequential damages.
(2) Federally protected speciesThe term “federally protected species” means a species that is or previously was protected under—
(A) the Act of June 8, 1940 (commonly known as the “Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act”) (54 Stat. 250, chapter 278; 16 U.S.C. 668 et seq.);
(B) the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.); or
(C) the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. 703 et seq.).
(3) Indian Tribe
(4) Livestock
(A) In general
(B) Inclusion
(5) Program
(6) SecretariesThe term “Secretaries” means—
(A) the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service; and
(B) the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Administrator of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
(b) Grant program for losses of livestock due to depredation by federally protected species
(1) In generalThe Secretaries shall establish a program to provide grants to States and Indian Tribes to supplement amounts provided by States, Indian Tribes, or State agencies under 1 or more programs established by the States and Indian Tribes (including programs established after October 30, 2020)—
(A) to assist livestock producers in carrying out—
(i) proactive and nonlethal activities to reduce the risk of livestock loss due to depredation by federally protected species occurring on—(I) Federal, State, or private land within the applicable State; or(II) land owned by, or held in trust for the benefit of, the applicable Indian Tribe; and
(ii) research relating to the activities described in clause (i); and
(B) to compensate livestock producers for livestock losses due to depredation by federally protected species occurring on—
(i) Federal, State, or private land within the applicable State; or
(ii) land owned by, or held in trust for the benefit of, the applicable Indian Tribe.
(2) Allocation of funding
(A) Reports to the secretariesNot later than September 30 of each year, a State or Indian Tribe desiring to receive a grant under the program shall submit to the Secretaries a report describing, for the 1-year period ending on that September 30, the losses of livestock due to depredation by federally protected species occurring on—
(i) Federal, State, or private land within the applicable State; or
(ii) land owned by, or held in trust for the benefit of, the applicable Indian Tribe.
(B) Allocation
(3) EligibilityTo be eligible to receive a grant under paragraph (1), a State or Indian Tribe shall—
(A) designate an appropriate agency of the State or Indian Tribe to administer the 1 or more programs supplemented by the grant funds;
(B) establish 1 or more accounts to receive grant funds;
(C) maintain files of all claims received and paid under grant-funded programs, including supporting documentation; and
(D) submit to the Secretaries—
(i) 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
(ii) such other reports as the Secretaries may require to assist the Secretaries in determining the effectiveness of assisted activities under this section.
(c) Sense of CongressIt is the sense of Congress that—
(1) no State or Indian Tribe is required to participate in the program; and
(2) the program supplements, and does not replace or supplant, any State compensation programs for depredation.
(d) Authorization of appropriationsThere is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $15,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2025, of which—
(1) $5,000,000 shall be used to provide grants for the purposes described in subsection (b)(1)(A); and
(2) $10,000,000 shall be used to provide grants for the purpose described in subsection (b)(1)(B).
(Pub. L. 116–188, title I, § 102, Oct. 30, 2020, 134 Stat. 908.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 8355

§ 8356. Depredation permits for black vultures and common ravens
(a) In general
(b) Limited to affected States or regions
(c) Reporting
(Pub. L. 116–188, title I, § 103, Oct. 30, 2020, 134 Stat. 911.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 8356