June 19, 2008: BLM Fee-Waiver Program Could Result in the Slaughter of Thousands of Wild Horses

In a time when climate change and urban sprawl are having a demonstrable impact on the planet, it is clearer than ever that the choices we make can have devastating consequences on wildlife and habitat. Right now, choices are being made that could threaten the freedom, genetic viability and the survival of thousands of wild horses. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) are both in the process of accepting comments from the public on wild horse management plans. Please use your voice to help these agencies make the right choices for America’s remaining wild horses.

BLM Fee-Waiver Program Could Result in the Slaughter of Thousands of Wild Horses

Due to their ongoing and aggressive wild horse round ups, the BLM now has more than 30,000 wild horses in federal holding facilities (more horses than remain in the wild).

In an effort to deal with the financial and logistical problem that was created by ill-advised round ups, BLM is considering building a quick-fix directly into its “adopt-a-horse” program: a fee waiver along with immediate titling of adopted horses. In other words, BLM is considering giving away America’s wild horses AND removing the mechanism that was put in place to protect them from slaughter. This, in BLM’s own words, would “open up the Canadian market.”

Canada is a horse slaughter hub, with a marked increase in the number of American horses being shipped over Canadian borders since the closure of the US horse slaughter plants. “Adopters” would be able to immediately sell their freshly-adopted horses to slaughter, turning a handsome profit on a government “freebie” (while we, as tax-payers, keep picking up the hefty tab for round-ups!). This is exactly what happened in 1984, after massive round-ups had landed 40,000 horses in holding corrals: a fee-waiver program resulted in an estimated 20,000 wild horses ending at slaughter.

The BLM’s National Wild Horse and Burro Advisory Board will meet Monday, June 30 in Reno, from 8 am to 5 pm at the Silver Legacy Resort Casino, 407 North Virginia Street. This proposal will certainly be discussed at the meeting. Please voice your objections to a fee-waiver program and to “instant titling” for adopted wild horses by:

  • Contacting your U.S. Representative and two U.S. Senators to protest this irresponsible management of America’s wild horse herds. You can find your Members of Congress by visiting www.congress.org.
  • Submitting comments to the Advisory Board by Wednesday June 25th. Please email you comments to: Ramona_DeLorme@blm.gov. Include the identifier “WH&B” in the subject-line and your name and address in the body of the message.

New Private Grazing Plan on Public Lands Will Fence Wild Horses Out of Their Natural Migratory Routes

BLM is proposing a new grazing system on Wyoming public lands for a private livestock allotment known as Green Mountain. The new plan has critical implications for three wild horse Herd Management Areas (HMAs). BLM itself admits that miles of new fences would cause an increase in wild horse mortality by “severely limiting” known migratory routes and critical access to summer/winter habitat, thereby trapping horses in winter to die in the snow. BLM’s records show that fencing in the same area caused 60 to 80 horses to die over a single winter in the mid-80s. BLM also admits that the new fencing would result in a severe loss of genetic diversity by segregating herds that are currently able to cross-breed.

Citing drought, BLM has already removed so many wild horses from the three affected HMAs that population levels are now below what BLM itself deems to be an “appropriate management level.” BLM acknowledges that wild horse losses caused by the new fencing would be detrimental to ecotourism opportunities in the area, “causing a visitor loss by as much as 90%.” Yet, BLM continues to support heavy livestock grazing in that same area, citing concern for the economic welfare of local ranchers.

The new grazing system would benefit 16 private livestock operators who pay $1.35 per month per cow/calf pair grazing on our public lands (about one-tenth of private grazing rates!), while American taxpayers continue to pick up the real costs.

Please voice your support for Alternative 3, the only option that will reduce livestock grazing, not add any new fences, will protect wild horse/wildlife habitat, and supports the creation of a wild horse-viewing loop.

Comments must be received by Friday, June 27, 4:30 pm MST. Make sure to include your name and address as well as a reference to the Green Mountain Allotment, EA# WY050-EA07-153.

Lander Field Office
P.O. Box 589, Lander, WY 82520
Fax: 307.332.8444 Phone: 307.332.8400
Email: Lander_wymail@blm.gov

Fish and Wildlife Drafting Management Plan to Decide Fate of Wild Horses on the Sheldon Refuge

Managers at the Sheldon Refuge are in the process of preparing a Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) for the Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) in Nevada. The CCP will be completed and go into effect in 2010 and will dictate future management considerations, including that of the horses and burros at Sheldon NWR.

This half million acre refuge is home to some 800 wild horses. Fish and Wildlife Service has a mandate to manage “native” plant and wildlife species. Under current classifications, the wild horse is considered an “exotic” species. However, while it may take years or even decades for Government red tape to catch up with science, new evidence now proves that the modern horse did in fact evolve on the North American continent – making the horse a “reintroduced native wildlife species”. However, until horses are re-classified, Sheldon officials intend to call for the removal of most if not all of the horses from the refuge.

Please submit your comments to them for consideration as they are deciding upon the future of these wild horses. You can use the following points in drafting your comments:

  • Wild horses are part of our living history, and icons of the west. We want to see viable herds remain in the wild.
  • Wild horses are an integral part of the natural eco-system, and have co-existed alongside other wildlife species for hundreds of years on the Sheldon refuge.
  • Please consider exploring population management alternatives such as immuno-contraception, which is more cost effective and allows the horses to remain in the wild without fear of uncontrolled reproduction.
  • Until the CCP is complete, please refrain from any further round ups.
  • If and when round ups do occur, please use the most humane methods available – such as round ups conducted on horse back (not by helicopter) during appropriate times of year (when mares are not pregnant or with new foals and heat is less severe).

Comments are due by Monday, June 30th and can be emailed (preferred) to SheldonCCP@fws.gov or mailed to:

Paul Steblein, Project Leader
Sheldon Hart-Mountain Complex National Wildlife Refuge
P.O. Box 111
Lakeview, OR 97630

On behalf of the horses, thank you!