Beaver damage mitigation grant program

(a)

Establishment

Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish a grant program under which the Secretary may award grants on a competitive basis to assist projects that use nonlethal coexistence measures to—(1)reduce property damage caused by beavers; and(2)maintain or enhance habitat for beavers and other wildlife.(b)

Eligibility

To be eligible for a grant under the Program, an applicant shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require, which shall include the following:(1)A description of the experience, qualifications, and training (including planned training) of the applicant with respect to the use of nonlethal coexistence measures.(2)In the case of an application submitted by an applicant other than a State or Tribal wildlife or natural resources management agency (or equivalent), a certification that the applicant has consulted with such an agency (or equivalent).(3)In the case of an application submitted by an applicant other than the owner of the property on which a relevant proposed project will be located, a certification from such owner that such owner—(A)approves the project; and(B)for the duration of the project, will only allow the use of nonlethal coexistence measures on the property for purposes of reducing property damage caused by beavers (except in the case of a circumstance subject to an exclusion under subsection (d)(2)(A)(i)).(c)

Priority

In awarding grants under the Program, the Secretary may give priority to a project that—(1)includes monitoring and research that facilitates evaluation of the project and identification of best practices;(2)includes educational and outreach activities;(3)is located in an area that ensures grant recipients under the Program represent diverse geographic areas; and(4)satisfies any other criteria the Secretary determines relevant to effectively reducing damage to property and maintaining or enhancing habitat for beavers and other wildlife.(d)

Conditions

(1)

In general

As a condition of receiving a grant under the Program, for the duration of the project facilitated with grant funds a grant recipient may only use nonlethal coexistence measures for purposes of reducing property damage caused by beavers on the property on which the project will be carried out.(2)

Exclusion

(A)

In general

Paragraph (1) shall not apply if the Secretary determines that—(i)an activity other than a nonlethal coexistence measure is necessary to protect human health or safety; or(ii)the project assisted with grant funds has been implemented for not less than 1 year and such project has not sufficiently reduced the damage caused by beavers.(B)

Documentation

The Secretary shall maintain a record of each determination made under subparagraph (A).(e)

Federal share

The Federal share of the cost of a project for which a grant is awarded under the Program may not exceed 75 percent.(f)

Annual report to Congress

Not later than 90 days after the end of each fiscal year for which grants are awarded under the Program, the Secretary shall submit to Congress, and make publicly available, a report that includes—(1)a detailed description of the projects funded by grants under the Program;(2)an evaluation of the effectiveness of the Program in selecting projects according to the priorities described in subsection (c); and(3)recommendations to improve the effectiveness of the Program.(g)

Definitions

In this section, the following definitions apply:(1)

Nonlethal coexistence measure

(A)

In general

The term nonlethal coexistence measure means a measure that does not incorporate—(i)the gripping, trapping, injuring, or killing of a beaver;(ii)the destruction or removal of a beaver dam or lodge;(iii)the relocation of a beaver; or(iv)the installation of beaver dam analogues.(B)

Inclusions

The term nonlethal coexistence measure may include fencing used to protect culverts, fencing and paint-sand mixtures used to protect trees, and flow management devices used to control water levels in beaver ponds.(2)

Program

The term Program means the grant program established under subsection (a).(3)

Secretary

The term Secretary means the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.(h)

Authorization of appropriations

(1)

In general

There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $1,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2023 through 2027.(2)

Limitation

Not more than 10 percent of the funds made available each fiscal year under paragraph (1) may be used for administrative expenses of the Program.