Section 29.888. Wolf depredation program.

 

(1b)  In this section:

(a) “Federal endangered list" has the meaning given in s. 29.185 (1b) (a) .

(b) “State endangered list" has the meaning given in s. 29.185 (1b) (b) .

(1m)  The department shall administer a wolf depredation program under which payments may be made to persons who apply for reimbursement for death or injury caused by wolves to livestock, to hunting dogs other than those being actively used in the hunting of wolves, and to pets and for management and control activities conducted by the department for the purpose of reducing such damage caused by wolves. The department may make payments for death or injury caused by wolves under this program only if the death or injury occurs during a period of time when the wolf is not listed on the federal endangered list and is not listed on the state endangered list. The department may expend moneys under this program for its management and control activities only during a period of time when the wolf is not listed on the federal endangered list and is not listed on the state endangered list.

(2)  The department shall establish maximum amounts that will be paid under sub. (1m) depending on the type of animal that suffered the death or injury. If the department determines that the amount available from the appropriation under s. 20.370 (5) (fv) is insufficient in a given fiscal year for making all of these payments, the department shall make the payments on a prorated basis.

(3)  If, after making the payments under sub. (2) , there are moneys remaining in the appropriation under s. 20.370 (5) (fv) for a given fiscal year, the department may use all or part of the remaining moneys in the following fiscal year for management and control of the wolf population activities conducted by the department.

(4)  If there are any moneys remaining at the end of a given fiscal year after making the payments under sub. (2) and paying for activities authorized under sub. (3) , these moneys shall lapse into the conservation fund, notwithstanding s. 20.001 (3) (c) .

2011 a. 169 ; 2013 a. 165 s. 115 .