Controversy Surrounds Wild Horse Roundup Plan

Nevada Wild Horse Roundup Sparks DebateNevada Wild Horse Roundup Sparks Debate

LAS VEGAS -- Those who live in Cold Creek know how majestic and friendly southern Nevada's wild horses can be. However, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) plans to round up a significant portion of these horses, sparking controversy among wild horse advocates.

The majority of the wild horses left in the area are scheduled to end up in federal holding pens. They are primarily located in two spots: Cold Creek, about 50 minutes north of Las Vegas off Highway 95, and the west flank of the mountain just northeast of Pahrump.

The BLM plans to round up 80 percent of the horses this winter. At a recent BLM advisory meeting in Las Vegas, a group of wild horse advocates voiced their opposition to the plan, arguing that the government is missing a significant opportunity.

Currently, there are between 500 and 600 horses in the Spring Mountains. The BLM plans to leave only 63 to 93 of them there after the roundup.

“We have got a phenomenal tourist attraction. And if Las Vegas learned anything in 2008, we need to diversify our tourist draw,” said Arelene Gawne, President of the Spring Mountain Alliance.

Gawne proposes gathering the horses, administering birth control, and then releasing them back into the wild. Advocates suggest using the horses as a tourist attraction, offering trail rides and backpack trips for visitors.

“A half-day trip, to see wild horses and burros behaving naturally,” Gawne suggested.

Members of the Spring Mountain Alliance claim that people from as far away as Japan and Europe come to see the horses, and they believe that making it an official eco-tourism draw could attract tourists from places like China as well.

The proposed roundup would leave just one horse for every 10,000 acres.

“I have talked with many of the big tourist companies like Pink Jeeps. They will not invest the tens of thousands it will cost to have tour guides etc. unless they know those horses will remain intact on the range naturally,” Gawne explained.

In June of last year, wild horse advocates gathered in Cold Creek to express their desire for the wild horses to remain free. The Spring Mountain Alliance's plan would require the BLM to engage in an experimental management program, similar to one that billionaire Madeleine Pickens has been working on in Elko County, which leverages wild horse eco-tourism.

However, Pickens has stated that the BLM has only created obstacles. Residents of Cold Creek and wild horse advocates hope their voices are not being ignored.

“This is just blowing smoke you know where you think you are appeasing us. You're not because we've been through this before. Nothing changes,” said wild horse advocate Donna Comidi during a 2013 interview.

The roundup would cost hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars. For more information, visit springmountainalliance.org/the-state-of-nevadas-wild-horses or blm.gov/nv/st/en/prog/wh_b.html.

Originally Posted By KLAS

5
 min read