On Wild Horses: Why the Secretary of the Interior Should Heed Scientific Advice
Nearly seven months into her tenure as Secretary of the Interior, Sally Jewell made her first extended public comments about the controversial issue of wild horse management on public lands. Speaking at the National Press Club, she addressed questions about the nation's wild horses, which have been rounded up by the tens of thousands and placed in holding facilities, incurring significant costs to taxpayers.
Jewell's comments were not well-received by wild horse advocates. She did not directly answer questions about the herds and made statements unsupported by key facts from a National Academy of Sciences report critical of the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) practices. Her remarks lacked urgency, despite the ongoing sale of wild horses to slaughter, contravening federal law.
The National Academy of Sciences Report
Five months prior, the National Academy of Sciences released a report titled "Using Science to Improve the BLM Wild Horse and Burro Program." The report criticized the BLM for not using scientifically rigorous methods to estimate horse populations or assess forage availability. It questioned the BLM's justification for its controversial management practices.
Promising fertility-control methods are available to help limit this population growth. Science-based methods exist for improving population estimates and predicting the effects of management practices. Greater transparency in using these methods may increase public confidence in the Wild Horse and Burro Program.
Despite repeated requests, Secretary Jewell has not substantively responded to the NAS report or the plight of wild horses. Her comments at the National Press Club did not address the NAS's criticisms or suggest any reforms.
July on Capitol Hill
In July, Jewell appeared at a Capitol Hill hearing, where she was questioned by Rep. Raul Grijalva about the need for reform in the Wild Horse and Burro program. Jewell acknowledged the NAS report but did not commit to any specific reforms.
October at the National Press Club
At the National Press Club, Jewell was asked about the NAS report's recommendations. Her response focused on the challenges of managing wild horse populations and the need for better birth control methods, without addressing the NAS's criticisms of current BLM practices.
Rebuttal
Jewell's responses have not evolved since July. She continues to ignore the NAS's criticisms and focuses on the assertion that wild horse populations grow rapidly. Her comments about birth control methods overlook the NAS's findings that effective methods are available but not used by the BLM.
Jewell's tenure at the Interior Department has been disappointing for wild horse advocates. Her failure to address the NAS report's findings suggests a reluctance to reform BLM practices. This inaction puts thousands of wild horses at risk and highlights the need for scientific guidance in managing these populations.