Judge Rejects Utah Ranchers' Plea to Evict Wild Horses

A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by Utah ranchers demanding the removal of wild horses from the West Desert. The ranchers claimed these horses were displacing their cattle, but the court ruled that the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has the discretion to manage horse populations as it sees fit.

Background of the Lawsuit

The lawsuit, represented by Wyoming lawyer Karen Budd-Falen, argued that federal law mandates the removal of horses exceeding population targets. However, U.S. District Judge Jill Parrish stated that such removals are not compulsory unless specific conditions are met.

"Once BLM determines that an overpopulation in fact exists in a given area, the agency has wide discretion in how it addresses that overpopulation," wrote Judge Parrish.

BLM's Approach to Wild Horse Management

In recent years, the BLM has explored contraceptives as a humane and cost-effective alternative to roundups, which have resulted in 50,000 horses being kept in private pastures. Current federal law prohibits selling these animals for slaughter, although pending legislation could change this.

Ranchers' Response and Legal Support

Frustrated by BLM's requests to reduce cattle grazing time, Utah ranchers formed the Western Rangeland Conservation Association in 2014 to fund the lawsuit. The Utah Farm Bureau Federation and other organizations supported this effort, while the American Wild Horse Conservation (formerly American Wild Horse Preservation) intervened on the BLM's side.

Implications of the Ruling

The ranchers sought to enforce removals from areas where horse numbers exceed "appropriate management levels" (AMLs). However, the court's decision emphasized BLM's discretion in managing these populations.

Beaver County Commissioner Mark Whitney criticized the BLM for failing to meet its legal obligations, claiming that horse overpopulation harms the environment and wildlife. Despite these concerns, the court found no absolute deadline for reducing horse numbers.

Future Considerations

While the BLM continues to study contraceptive methods, state officials argue that horses should remain off-range. The ruling may influence similar cases, such as a pending lawsuit in Beaver County.

Nick Lawton, representing the horse-advocacy group, believes this ruling sets a persuasive precedent for future cases.

Originally posted by Salt Lake Tribune