S.Amdt. 2312

1. Adds SEC. 121__. LARGE CARNIVORE DAMAGE PREVENTION PROGRAM on page 998, between lines 7 and 8

   Adds a sectionPrinted page

   Inserted: SEC. 121__. LARGE CARNIVORE DAMAGE PREVENTION PROGRAM.

   Inserted: (a) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to test, evaluate, and deploy tools, technologies, and other nonlethal innovations designed to mitigate or avoid conflict with large carnivores.

   Inserted: (b) Definitions.--In this section:

   Inserted: (1) Indian tribe.--The term "Indian tribe" has the meaning given the term in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450b).

   Inserted: (2) Large carnivores.--The term "large carnivores" means predators that are or have been protected or reintroduced by the Federal Government.

   Inserted: (3) Livestock.--The term "livestock" means cattle, swine, horses, mules, sheep, goats, livestock guard animals, as determined by the Secretary.

   Inserted: (4) Program.--The term "program" means the program established by subsection (c).

   Inserted: (5) Secretary.--The term "Secretary" means the Secretary of Agriculture.

   Inserted: (c) Large Carnivore Damage Prevention Program.--

   Inserted: (1) In general.--The Secretary shall establish a program, consistent with the purpose described in subsection (a), to provide grants to States and Indian tribes for competitive grants to livestock producers to carry out proactive activities to reduce the risk of predation and decreased livestock productivity due to predation by large carnivores.

   Inserted: (2) Criteria and requirements.--The Secretary shall--

   Inserted: (A) establish criteria and requirements to implement the program; and

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   Inserted: (B) when promulgating regulations to implement the program under paragraph (1), consult with States that have implemented State programs that provide--

   Inserted: (i) assistance to livestock producers to carry out proactive activities to reduce the risk of livestock loss due to predation by large carnivores; or

   Inserted: (ii) compensation to livestock producers for livestock losses due to predation by large carnivores.

   Inserted: (3) Eligibility.--To be eligible to receive a grant under paragraph (1), a State or Indian tribe shall--

   Inserted: (A) establish an open, competitive process to adjudicate fund applications from livestock producers and partners, including nongovernmental organizations, State and local governments, and producer organizations;

   Inserted: (B) follow protocols developed by the Secretary; and

   Inserted: (C) submit to the Secretary--

   Inserted: (i) an annual report that includes--

   Inserted: (I) a summary of expenditures under the program during the year;

   Inserted: (II) an analysis of any measured impact on large carnivore conflicts with livestock; and

   Inserted: (III) any recommendations of grant recipients; and

   Inserted: (ii) any other report the Secretary determines to be necessary to assist the Secretary in determining the effectiveness of the program.

   Inserted: (4) Allocation of funding.--The Secretary shall allocate funding made available to carry out this section among States and Indian tribes based on--

   Inserted: (A) whether the State or Indian tribe is located in a geographical area that has a high population of large carnivores that have been reintroduced by the Federal Government; or

   Inserted: (B) any other factors that the Secretary determines to be necessary.

   Inserted: (5) Eligible land.--The program described in paragraph (1) may be carried out on Federal, State, or private land, including land that is owned by, or held in trust for the benefit of, an Indian tribe.

   Inserted: (6) Federal cost share.--The Federal share of the cost of any activity provided assistance made available under this section shall not exceed 50 percent of the total cost of the activity, including in-kind support by the non-Federal partner.

   Inserted: (d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $4,000,000 for fiscal year 2014 and each fiscal year thereafter.

   Inserted: (e) Applicability.--Nothing in this section affects, modifies, or limits any other Federal law (including regulations) relating to wildlife, including the authority of livestock producers and the Administrator of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, acting through Wildlife Services, to lethally remove a predator carnivore--

   Inserted: (1) in response to livestock predation; or

   Inserted: (2) that is caught in the act of attempting to kill livestock.

   Original wording

   On page 998, between lines 7 and 8, insert the following:

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As printed