This bill would establish a fund for conflict prevention and livestock depredation by grizzly bears and wolves, which would be provided to livestock owners that have validated or probable loss to these predators. You can read full bill text HERE.

Background: H0485 establishes a fund, as well as a process, for payment of validated or probable depredation of livestock by grizzlies or wolves. As the grizzly bear and wolf population continues to expand both in number of animals in each species, as well as geographic location in the state, livestock producers continue to experience instances of predation. A livestock producer with loss of any level due to predators, experiences massive financial impact, as the loss is not only on the live animal at time of death, but also potential future income from offspring. The Office of Species Conservation will have spending authority for the established fund and will be in consultation with Idaho Dept of Fish and Game, as well as Idaho State Department of Agriculture. The fund will allocate $75,000 annually to be used for conflict prevention and education. While wolves are a delisted species and have an active management plan (set in place by the Idaho Department of Fish & Game), grizzly bears are still a protected species even though delisting criteria has been met. According to the US Fish & Wildlife Service Grizzly Bear Recovery Program, there are ample studies indicating grizzly bear populations have recovered and are located across the lower 48 with most found in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE), Northern Idaho & Pacific Northwestern states.