29.88929.889 Wildlife damage abatement program; wildlife damage claim program. 29.889(1)(1) Definition. In this section, “wildlife damage” means damage caused by any of the following wild animals that are not subject to regulation under ch. 169: 29.889(1)(e)(e) Sandhill crane if hunting of sandhill cranes is authorized by the department. 29.889(1)(f)(f) Elk, if the department has promulgated a rule that establishes a season for hunting elk. 29.889(2)(a)(a) Assistance. The department shall assist counties in developing and administering the wildlife damage abatement and wildlife damage claim programs. The department shall provide this assistance through technical aid, program guidance, research, demonstration, funding, plan review, audit and evaluation services. 29.889(2)(b)(b) Eligibility and funding requirements; rules. The department shall promulgate rules for eligibility and funding requirements for the wildlife damage abatement program and the wildlife damage claim program in order to maximize the cost-effectiveness of these programs. The department shall also promulgate rules to establish all of the following: 29.889(2)(b)1.1. Authorized wildlife damage abatement measures and methods for implementing and paying for these abatement measures. 29.889(2)(b)2.2. Forms and procedures for payment and processing of statement of claims and applications for abatement assistance. 29.889(2)(b)3.3. Procedures and standards for determining the amount of wildlife damage. 29.889(2)(b)4.4. A methodology for proration of wildlife damage claim payments. 29.889(2)(b)5.5. Procedures for record keeping, audits and inspections. 29.889(2)(c)(c) Review of county administration plans. The department shall provide guidelines to counties applying for participation in the wildlife damage abatement and wildlife damage claim programs. The department shall review each plan of administration submitted under sub. (3) (c) and shall approve the plan if it is in substantial compliance with sub. (3) (c) and the rules promulgated by the department under this section. 29.889(2)(d)(d) Administrative funds. The department shall provide funding to each county participating in the wildlife damage abatement program, wildlife damage claim program or both for costs incurred in administering these programs. The amount of funding to be allocated for each county shall be based on the estimate of anticipated administrative costs prepared under sub. (3) (c) 8. but the department shall determine payments based on the actual administrative costs incurred. If actual costs exceed the estimate, the department may allocate additional funding based on criteria and using procedures established by rule. 29.889(3)(a)(a) County participation required. Eligibility for the wildlife damage abatement program or the wildlife damage claim program requires participation of the county in the administration of these programs as specified under sub. (4) (a) and (6) (a). The department may not administer a wildlife damage abatement program or wildlife damage claim program on behalf of or instead of a county. 29.889(3)(b)(b) Application. A county seeking to administer the wildlife damage abatement program or the wildlife damage abatement and wildlife damage claim programs shall apply to the department on forms provided by it on or before November 1 for the administration of these programs in the following calendar year or other period specified in the application. 29.889(3)(c)(c) Plan of administration. The application shall include a plan of administration to which the county agrees and in the form required by the department. The plan of administration shall include all of the following: 29.889(3)(c)1.1. An agreement that the county shall make all records and files relating to the wildlife damage abatement program and wildlife damage claim program, including records and files concerning access of hunters to lands for which a wildlife damage claim is filed, available to the department for audit at reasonable times with the full cooperation of the county. 29.889(3)(c)2.2. A description of authorized wildlife damage abatement measures, including designation of specifications for woven wire deer fences, for which reimbursement may be provided under the wildlife damage abatement program or which may be recommended under the wildlife damage claim program. 29.889(3)(c)3.3. A summary of billing, allocation and accounting procedures to be used by the county and the department under this section. These procedures shall be consistent with generally acceptable accounting practices. 29.889(3)(c)4.4. The procedure or formula to be used to determine land suitable for hunting and other hunting requirements necessary to comply with sub. (7m). 29.889(3)(c)5.5. The procedures to be used in administering the wildlife damage abatement and wildlife damage claim programs. 29.889(3)(c)6.6. A commitment that the county agrees to administer the wildlife damage abatement and wildlife damage claim programs so that participants are encouraged to pursue sound conservation as well as normal agricultural practices.