481C.1 Wild animal depredation unit.

A wild animal depredation unit is established within the fish and wildlife division of the department of natural resources. The unit shall be comprised of two wild animal depredation biologists. The biologists shall serve under the director of the department of natural resources.

481C.2 Duties.

The director of the department of natural resources shall enter into a memorandum of agreement with the United States department of agriculture, animal damage control division. The wild animal depredation unit shall serve and act as the liaison to the department for the producers in the state who suffer crop and nursery damage due to wild animals. The department shall issue depredation permits to any landowner who incurs crop and nursery damage of one thousand dollars or more due to wild animals. The criteria for issuing depredation permits shall be established in administrative rules in consultation with the farmer advisory committee created in section 481A.10A. The administrative rules adopted pursuant to this section shall not require a producer to erect or maintain fencing at a cost exceeding one thousand dollars as a requisite for receiving a depredation permit or for participation in a depredation plan.

481C.3 Funding.

Notwithstanding section 483A.30*, the revenue from nonresident deer and wild turkey hunting licenses shall first be used to pay the salaries, support, and maintenance of the wild animal depredation unit established pursuant to section 481C.1. The remaining revenue from nonresident deer and wild turkey hunting licenses shall be used to meet the requirements of section 483A.30*.