Lands bill includes federal wolf-kill compensation

Capital Press 3/31/09

WASHINGTON (AP) - A public lands bill signed Monday by President Barack Obama includes a program under which ranchers could get money from the federal government to compensate them for livestock killed by wolves.

Democratic Sen. Jon Tester of Montana and Republican Sen. John Barrasso of Wyoming sponsored the so-called "Wolf Kill Bill," which authorizes the federal government to spend up to $1 million annually on the 5-year demonstration program.

The money also would cover grants to states and Indian tribes to reduce the risk of livestock attacks, by erecting fences and improving grazing practices.

Tester said money for the program would likely be split evenly between compensating ranchers and paying for ways to prevent wolf attacks.

The Associated Press