Greens Challenge BLM's Wild Horse Sterilization Plan

Animal advocates have taken legal action against the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to prevent the sterilization of wild horses in southwestern Idaho. The lawsuit, filed by the American Wild Horse Conservation (formerly American Wild Horse Preservation Campaign) and other groups, argues that the BLM's plan violates several key environmental and administrative laws.

The lawsuit challenges the BLM's Jarbidge Resource Management plan for the 95,000-acre Saylor Creek Herd Management Area (HMA). The BLM intends to sterilize all wild horses in this area, a move driven by ranchers whose cattle graze there.

According to the complaint, the HMA is meant for the maintenance of wild horse and burro herds, yet the BLM prioritizes livestock grazing. The area is divided into cattle pastures by 126 miles of permanent fences.

The groups express concern that this plan could set a precedent and lacks a thorough analysis of the potential impacts on other wild horse populations. The lawsuit claims the BLM failed to consider less invasive alternatives for managing wild horse population growth.

The Wild Free Roaming Horses and Burros Act mandates the protection of these animals, ensuring they are managed as self-sustaining populations. The regulations emphasize maintaining their free-roaming behavior.

Wild horses have long been a controversial topic in the West. Ranchers argue that horse populations are depleting resources, while environmentalists counter that these claims are exaggerated and that cattle are the primary cause of environmental damage.

Joining the American Wild Horse Conservation in the lawsuit are the Cloud Foundation and Return to Freedom. The plaintiffs seek to vacate the BLM's sterilization plan and require further consideration consistent with environmental laws.

Originally posted by Courthouse News Service.