HF 2277

as introduced - 90th Legislature (2017 - 2018) Posted on 03/09/2017 09:12am

A bill for an act
relating to agriculture; establishing a pilot program to provide grants to prevent
wolf-livestock conflict; appropriating money.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1. new text begin WOLF-LIVESTOCK CONFLICT PREVENTION PILOT PROGRAM.
new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner of agriculture may award grants to livestock producers to prevent
wolf-livestock conflicts. Livestock producers located in Minnesota are eligible to apply for
reimbursement for the cost of practices to prevent wolf-livestock conflicts. The commissioner
may establish a cap on the amount a recipient may receive annually.
new text end

new text begin (b) To be eligible for the grant under this section, a livestock producer must raise livestock
within Minnesota's wolf range or on property determined by the commissioner to be affected
by wolf-livestock conflicts.
new text end

new text begin (c) Eligible wolf-livestock conflict prevention activities include, but are not limited to:
new text end

new text begin (1) the purchase of guard animals;
new text end

new text begin (2) veterinary costs for guard animals;
new text end

new text begin (3) the installation of wolf barriers; wolf barriers may include pens, fladry, and fencing;
new text end

new text begin (4) the installation of wolf-deterring lights and alarms; and
new text end

new text begin (5) calving or lambing shelters.
new text end

new text begin (d) Eligible grant recipients must:
new text end

new text begin (1) make a good-faith effort to avoid wolf-livestock conflicts;
new text end

new text begin (2) make a good-faith effort to care for guard animals paid for under this section;
new text end

new text begin (3) retain proper documentation of expenses;
new text end

new text begin (4) report annually to the commissioner on the effectiveness of the nonlethal methods
employed; and
new text end

new text begin (5) allow follow-up evaluation and monitoring by the commissioner.
new text end

new text begin (e) Grant recipients shall continue to be eligible for depredation payments under
Minnesota Statutes, section 3.737.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATION.
new text end

new text begin $200,000 in fiscal year 2018 and $200,000 in fiscal year 2019 are appropriated from the
general fund to the commissioner of agriculture for wolf-livestock conflict prevention grants
under section 1.
new text end