BLM Announces National Wild Horse and Burro Advisory Board Meeting in Arlington, Virginia

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is set to host a three-day meeting of the National Wild Horse and Burro Advisory Board in Arlington, Virginia. This meeting, scheduled for September 9-11, will focus on the management, protection, and control of wild horses and burros on Western public rangelands. The discussions will center around the June 2013 report by the National Academy of Sciences, titled “Using Science to Improve the BLM Wild Horse and Burro Program: A Way Forward.”

Meeting Details

The meeting will take place at the Key Bridge Marriott, 1401 Lee Highway, Arlington, Virginia 22209. It will run from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Monday, September 9, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 10, and from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 11.

Focus of the Meeting

The NAS report, commissioned by the BLM, recommends several management actions, including the broader use of a fertility-control vaccine known as PZP (porcine zona pellucida) on mares. Contrary to some reports, the study does not call for an end to the gathering of wild horses and burros from overpopulated herds, nor does it suggest that the BLM should “let nature cull any excess herds.” These recommendations are currently under review by the BLM.

Public Participation

The public is invited to address the Advisory Board on Tuesday, September 10, at 3:00 p.m. Those wishing to speak should register in person by 2:00 p.m. at the meeting site. Depending on the number of speakers, presentations may be limited to three minutes. Speakers are encouraged to submit a written copy of their statement to the BLM at the meeting or send it to the National Wild Horse and Burro Program, WO-260, Attention: Ramona DeLorme, 1340 Financial Boulevard, Reno, Nevada, 89502-7147. Comments can also be emailed with “Advisory Board Comment” in the subject line.

Additional Information

For more details about the meeting, contact Ramona DeLorme, Wild Horse and Burro Administrative Assistant, at 775-861-6583. Individuals using a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) can reach Ms. DeLorme during normal business hours by calling the Federal Information Relay Service at 1-800-877-8339.

The Advisory Board meets at least once a year, with additional meetings called by the BLM Director as necessary. Members serve without salary but are reimbursed for travel and per diem expenses according to government travel regulations.

Originally posted by KCSG News.