AUTHORIZING CONTINUED COUNTY PARTICIPATION IN WILDLIFE DAMAGE ABATEMENT PROGRAM AND THE WILDLIFE DAMAGE CLAIM PROGRAM

Background: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is authorized to protect American agriculture and other resources from damage associated with wildlife.  The primary authority for Animal Plant Health Inspection Service – Wildlife Services (APHIS-WS) is the Act of March 2, 1931 (46 Stat. 1468; 7 U.S.C.426-426b) as amended, and the Act of December 22, 1987 (101 Stat. 1329-331, 7 U.S.C. 426c).  The APHIS-WS program was designed to cooperate with states, local jurisdictions, individuals, public and private agencies, organizations, and institutions to conduct a program of wildlife services involving mammal and bird species that are reservoirs for zoonotic diseases or animal species that are injurious and/or a nuisance to, among other things; agriculture, horticulture, forestry, animal husbandry, wildlife, and human health and safety. In 1983, the Wisconsin State Legislature established the Wildlife Damage Abatement Claim Program (WDACP) through the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) to work in partnership with the USDA on wildlife damage efforts in Wisconsin.  Wisconsin Statute 29.889 (4)(a) identifies that in order to be eligible for wildlife damage abatement assistance, the land for which assistance is sought is required to be located in a county which is participating in the administration of the wildlife damage abatement program.  Sauk County has participated in the APHIS-WS program since 1984 and is required to sign a five-year Cooperative Service Agreement effective January 1, 2018, through December 31, 2023.