Nevada Counties and Farm Bureau Sue Federal Government Over Wild Horse Management

Two Nevada groups have initiated a lawsuit against the federal government, claiming that the mismanagement of wild horses has caused significant damage to both the land and the animals themselves. This legal action highlights ongoing tensions regarding wild horse management in the state.

Lawsuit Details

The Nevada Association of Counties and the Nevada Farm Bureau Federation filed the lawsuit on December 30, naming the U.S. Department of Interior, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell, BLM Director Neil Kornze, BLM Assistant Director of Renewable Resources and Planning, and BLM State Director Amy Leuders as defendants.

The plaintiffs accuse the federal agencies of failing to comply with the Wild Free-Roaming Horse and Burro Act of 1971. This act mandates the BLM to protect the natural ecological balance of all wildlife species on public lands, maintain an inventory of wild horses and burros, and remove excess animals.

BLM's Position

The BLM acknowledges that wild horse populations exceed the designated appropriate management levels. According to their website, there were over 20,000 wild horses and burros in Nevada last fiscal year, while the maximum management level is approximately 12,700.

The BLM conducts horse gathers, where wild horses are rounded up and sold for adoption. Horses that are not adopted are sent to ranches to live out their lives, but these facilities are nearing capacity.

Controversial Management Practices

The plaintiffs argue that the BLM should "destroy" horses deemed unadoptable, a stance the BLM opposes, maintaining that they will not sell wild horses or burros for slaughter.

According to the lawsuit, the BLM's management practices are detrimental to the horses, causing malnutrition and other health issues. The plaintiffs describe the horses as "feral animals" under Nevada law, rather than "wild animals."

Historical Context

In 2011, the BLM was sued by horse advocates who claimed the agency violated federal law by not proving that wild horses threatened the "thriving natural ecological balance" before conducting roundups.

For more details, visit the Elko Daily Free Press.