BLM Transfer Provision in Omnibus Sparks Outrage Among Advocates

The recent omnibus spending package approved by the Senate includes a provision that facilitates the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) ability to adopt out or transfer wild horses and burros. This move aims to reduce the number of animals under the agency's care. However, the provision has sparked outrage among animal rights advocates who argue that it contains too many loopholes, potentially leading to the slaughter of thousands of wild horses and burros.

Controversial Provision Details

The provision, part of the omnibus package funding the federal government through September, was initially requested by the Obama administration. It allows the Interior Secretary to transfer excess wild horses or burros removed from federal rangelands to other government agencies for use as work animals. While the provision prohibits the animals from being killed, sold, or transferred to entities that would slaughter them for commercial products, it permits euthanasia upon a veterinarian's recommendation in cases of severe injury, illness, or advanced age.

Advocates' Concerns

Ginger Kathrens, executive director of the Colorado-based Cloud Foundation, criticized the BLM's history of misinformation regarding wild horses. She expressed concern over the vague language in the provision, which could lead to the unnecessary killing of thousands of horses. Suzanne Roy, executive director of the American Wild Horse Conservation (formerly American Wild Horse Campaign), echoed these concerns, highlighting the lack of enforcement mechanisms and transparency in the provision.

Roy called for Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke to implement measures ensuring transparency, accountability, and enforcement to protect wild horses and burros from mass killing and slaughter.

BLM's Perspective

The provision was requested as part of President Obama's fiscal 2017 budget proposal. BLM officials argue that it will alleviate the financial burden of caring for over 46,000 wild horses and burros in off-range facilities. The agency warned that without the ability to transfer these animals, costs could exceed $1 billion over their lifetimes.

Neil Kornze, former BLM director, testified about the overwhelming number of wild horses and burros on public lands. Zinke has committed to addressing this issue, with reducing the number of wild horses and burros to appropriate management levels being a priority for the agency.

Future Implications

Jason Lutterman, a spokesman for BLM's Wild Horse and Burro Program, stated that the provision would streamline the process of transferring horses to agencies like the Border Patrol. He emphasized that safeguards are in place to prevent slaughter.

However, Roy expressed surprise at the provision's inclusion in the omnibus package, arguing that it undermines the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971. She criticized the use of a spending bill to amend a unanimously passed act of Congress that protects wild horses and burros as part of the national heritage.

Reporter Corbin Hiar contributed to this article. Originally posted by E&E News