Iron County Criticizes BLM's Wild Horse Roundup Plan

ST. GEORGE, Utah — Iron County commissioners have criticized the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) plan to round up 200 wild horses in southern Utah, describing it as a "slap in the face." The commissioners argue that the proposed roundup is insufficient to address the growing wild horse population that competes with cattle and elk for resources in drought-stricken areas.

The commission stated, "The wild horses being offered up by the BLM is a joke," emphasizing that the number of horses to be rounded up is only a fraction of the total population. They noted that the number of horses born this spring would likely equal the number being captured.

This strong stance from the southern Utah commission is the latest development in an ongoing dispute over wild horse management. Iron County, along with other counties, has threatened to take matters into their own hands if the BLM does not act, with state wildlife officials supporting the ranchers' position.

BLM state director Juan Palma indicated that the planned roundup is just the beginning of a larger strategy to manage the wild horse population. The agency aims to gather hundreds of horses but is awaiting approval from Washington, D.C., while expediting environmental surveys necessary for the roundup.

The roundup is scheduled for late June or early July, following the foaling season, primarily targeting the Blawn Wash Herd Area west of Milford, according to the BLM.

Governor Gary Herbert has expressed support for the roundup, acknowledging the overpopulation issue during a news conference. He stated, "The sad case is that we're doubling those populations every three to four years. So, we're at a critical situation here where we've got to do something. At least the BLM recognizes that."

However, horse advocates, including the American Wild Horse Conservation (formerly American Wild Horse Preservation), argue that the situation is exaggerated. They claim that ranchers are using wild horses as scapegoats to distract from cattle overgrazing issues.

According to the BLM, Utah's wild horse and burro population stands at 3,245, exceeding the "appropriate management level" of 1,956. The Utah Wildlife Board has unanimously voted to urge federal officials to reduce the number of horses on the range.

Neighboring Beaver County commissioners have expressed support for Iron County's efforts to increase the number of wild horses corralled.

Originally posted by WRAL