Summary of Preliminary Environmental Assessment for the Blue Wing Complex Gather

The Blue Wing Complex, located 50 miles southwest of Winnemucca, Nevada, spans approximately 2,283,300 acres. This area includes five Herd Management Areas (HMAs) and four Herd Areas (HAs), each with unique ecological and management challenges. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has proposed a series of actions to manage the wild horse and burro populations within this complex.

Current Population and Management Levels

The BLM has set the Appropriate Management Levels (AMLs) for the Complex at 333 to 553 wild horses and 55 to 90 wild burros. However, a December 2014 aerial census, combined with USGS data analysis and estimates of the 2015 and 2016 foal crops, indicates a population of approximately 2,081 wild horses and 768 wild burros, totaling around 2,850 animals.

Grazing and Land Use

Within the Complex, six grazing allotments have been authorized, with a total permitted use of 45,831 Animal Unit Months (AUMs) for cattle and sheep. In 2016, the estimated use was 25,482 AUMs, based on livestock operators' reports.

Proposed Management Actions

The BLM's Proposed Action includes various management methods, such as:

• Gathering wild horses and burros through multiple gathers.
• Removing and transporting wild horses and burros.
• Treating and releasing mares with fertility control (PZP/GonaCon).
• Spaying and/or gelding wild horses and burros.

The BLM aims to implement these actions immediately upon approval, targeting the low AMLs of 333 wild horses and 55 wild burros within approximately 20 years.

Uncertainties and Future Plans

The BLM has not specified the timing or frequency of roundups, nor the number of animals affected by each method. These decisions will depend on management priorities and current conditions. The goal is to maintain a non-breeding component of 50 mares, 50 stallions, 9 jennies, and 9 jacks, representing about 30% of the low AMLs.

Once the low AMLs are achieved, the BLM will monitor the non-breeding component to determine if further removals or population control treatments are necessary to sustain reduced growth rates.