Southeast Oregon Resource Advisory Council Meeting Overview

Wild Horse Management

February 6, 2015

Author

AWHC Contributor

Eyewitness Report:

BLM Southeast Oregon Resource Advisory Council Meeting

January 12 & 13, 2015

Ontario, Oregon

Prepared by Marika Ruppe, Equine Welfare Consulting Services for American Wild Horse Conservation (formerly American Wild Horse Preservation)

Committee Members

E. Lynn Burkett/ BLM Lakeview District Manager (present)
Robert Hogan/Energy and Mineral Development/Term ends: 12/23/16 (absent)
Duncan Mackenzie/Grazing/Term ends: 12/19/15 (Present)
Donald Hodge/Transportation/Right-of-Way/Term ends: 01/23/15 (Present)
James Walls/Commercial Timber/Term ends: 12/20/13 (?)
Mona Drake/Recreation/OHV/Term ends: 01/23/15 (present)
Anne Hiller-Clark/Historic/Archaeological/Term ends: 12/23/16 (Absent)
Matthew Little/Environmental/ Term ends: 01/23/15 (Present)
Mike King/Dispersed Recreation/Term ends: 01/23/15 (absent)
Dr. Julie Weikel/Wild Horse and Burro/Term ends: 01/23/15 (Present)
Jean Findley/Environmental/Term ends: 12/19/15 (Present)
Chad Boyd/Academician/Term ends: 12/19/15 (Present)
Peter Runnels/Elected Official/Term ends: 01/23/15 (Present)
James Bishop/Public-at-Large/Term ends: 01/23/15 (Present)
Jason Kesling/Tribal Representative/Term ends: 12/23/16 (Present)
Philip Milburn/State Natural Resources/Term ends: 12/19/15 (Present)

Although the agenda focused on natural resources and conservation efforts for rangelands and sage grouse, southeastern Oregon’s wild horses were a recurring topic. Below is an overview prepared by the American Wild Horse Conservation (formerly American Wild Horse Preservation) representative who attended the meeting. This report is organized by priority concerning Southeast Oregon’s wild and captive wild horse populations.

Spaying and Tracking Collar Trials

The most significant discussion relating to wild horses was led by Julie Weikel, DVM, Oregon Department of Agriculture field veterinarian, and a board member of the Oregon Natural Desert Association. Dr. Weikel, the wild horse and burro representative for the Southeastern Oregon Resource Advisory Council (RAC), stated her belief that spaying SE Oregon free-roaming mares is imperative for wild horse population management. Despite opposition from advocates, she considers it the most cost-effective, least intrusive option. The RAC voted to form a subcommittee on mare spaying and to write a letter to other RACs urging support for the spay program. A decision on the subcommittee's formation will be made later via email.

Dr. Weikel is awaiting approval for a spaying trial to begin in Spring 2015. Initially, the trial required mares in various pregnancy stages, but now only open (non-pregnant) mares will be used.

AWHPC Note: RAC meeting minutes from last year recount discussions of Dr. Weikel and BLM Oregon wild horse specialist Shaney Rockefeller seeking RAC support for a proposal to spay and return 100 mares to the range in the Burns, Oregon BLM district. Challenges acknowledged include limited skilled personnel for spaying and unknown long-term survival rates post-spaying. The minutes erroneously state a 10%+ death rate as Dr. Weikel's personal failure rate, which she disputes. She has spayed only 10 horses but hundreds of heifers, and new laparoscopic techniques have improved safety. The National Academy of Sciences advises against field application due to infection and bleeding risks. Spaying in domestic settings primarily alters behavior.

Dr. Weikel also expressed interest in collaring wild mares for research, with trials starting mid-February at BLM facilities in Oklahoma. She wants southeastern Oregon wild mares included. A 2014 study evaluated GPS/VHS collars on a ranch in southeast Oregon and the Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge in Nevada. The BLM has barred GPS/VHS collars due to high fatality rates in past trials.

Potential Health Risks to Southeast OR Wild Horses

BLM’s Candidate Conservation Agreement (CCA) are voluntary agreements with livestock grazing permittees to protect the endangered sage grouse, based on specific allotment conditions. The RAC discussed CCAs potentially becoming Reasonable and Prudent Measures (RPMs) for grassland preservation, minimizing incidental take impacts. This discussion occurred in the context of grazing impacts on sage grouse, a candidate for Endangered Species Act listing.

One RPM under consideration is using fourteen new herbicides for grassland management. There was no mention of potential risks to wild horses grazing these rangelands. It is my opinion that the BLM should disclose herbicide use and assess environmental and animal health impacts. The referenced rangeland area is approximately one million acres.

Notes of Special Interest

The RAC discussed the Beaty’s Butte HMA, which exceeds the Appropriate Management Level for wild horses, risking overgrazing. RAC members believe the HMA has been mismanaged. A mediation process between conservation groups, ranchers, and wild horse advocates is ongoing, with a public meeting on January 28th in Lakeview.

The U.S. Forest Service is forming a wild horse management team for the Murderers Creek Wild Horse Territory.

Due to wildfires and drought, the RAC suggests BLM consider grass banking for emergencies, creating a reserve for cattlemen with grazing rights. Grass banking leases land to ranchers at a discount for conservation projects, providing fresh grass and resting overgrazed land.

John Caywood, a Southeast OR rancher, proposes a six-foot fence to block wild horses from grazing where big horn sheep graze within a specific HMA. Some RAC members oppose the fence, while one suggested removing the HMA. Mr. Caywood will present his case at the next RAC meeting.

Moving Forward

American Wild Horse Conservation (formerly American Wild Horse Preservation) was the sole commenter on wild horse issues during the public comment period. Due to their presence, the RAC discussed collaborating with advocacy groups and the public. RAC members agreed on finding a middle ground acceptable to ranchers, advocates, and taxpayers while maintaining rangeland health. They also agreed that the BLM’s wild horse management plan needs urgent change for taxpayers, ranchers, and wild horses. Dr. Julie Weikel committed to finding common ground between BLM and wild horse advocates.

The AWHC representative distributed the following documents to RAC participants:

HSUS paper on cost-savings with PZP
Kirkpatrick paper on achieving population goals with PZP
PZP Statement by AWHC
NAS Key Findings

2015 SE RAC Meeting Schedule

January 12-13, 2015 in Ontario, Oregon
April 20-21, 2015 in Lakeview, Oregon
July 13-14, 2015 in Burns, Oregon
October 26-27, 2015 (Bi-RAC or Tri-RAC meeting) in Prineville, Oregon

Overview composed by Marika Ruppe, AWHC representative at the BLM’s Southeastern RAC meeting January 11 & 12, 2015, at the Clarion Hotel in Ontario, Oregon.