The Government Shutdown: Impact on Wild Horses
(December 22, 2018) Late last night, Congress failed to reach an agreement on a Continuing Resolution to keep the government running, leading to a partial government shutdown. This situation could impact many federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of the Interior. Here are five ways that wild horses and burros could be affected.
#1. Care for Wild Horses and Burros
Wild horses and burros in Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and U.S. Forest Service (USFS) holding facilities will continue to be fed and cared for. The BLM has confirmed to American Wild Horse Conservation (formerly American Wild Horse Campaign) that this is considered an essential government service that will continue during the shutdown.
#2. Potential Delays in Roundups and Sales
Pending wild horse roundups and sales could be delayed or canceled. Depending on the length of the shutdown, it could affect the timing of the next scheduled roundup in the Pine Nut Mountains Herd Management Area (HMA) in Nevada. This means that over 600 wild horses targeted for removal on January 7th could enjoy extra days or weeks of freedom on public lands, depending on how long it takes for Congress and the Administration to agree on a spending bill.
It is also likely that planned sales events for the Devil’s Garden wild horses will be canceled or delayed. This is positive news for the horses, as the Forest Service recently announced plans to sell these cherished mustangs for $1 each, albeit with limitations on slaughter.
#3. Legislative Protections
Even if Congress reaches an agreement to restart the government, it will do so under a Continuing Resolution that will keep the government running under the provisions of the 2018 omnibus spending bill. This is good news for wild horses and burros, as the 2018 bill prevents the BLM from spending money to destroy, sell for slaughter, or perform surgical sterilization on wild horses and burros.
#4. Extension of Public Comment Deadlines
Deadlines for public comments on various proposed actions related to federally protected wild horses and burros may be extended. This may include certain BLM proposals related to the agency’s compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 that are now open for public comment.
#5. Advocacy and Action
Wild horse and burro advocates will need to remain ready to act, but at the right time. Calls to Congress at this moment urging continued protections for wild horses and burros are likely to be lost amid the noise on Capitol Hill.
It’s unclear whether Congress will return to deliberating actual Fiscal Year 2019 spending legislation. When and if it does, members will decide between the Senate Interior Appropriations bill (which prohibits killing and slaughter of wild horses and burros) and the House version (which allows for the destruction of healthy wild horses and burros, putting tens of thousands in danger of being killed). That will be the time to weigh in and ensure that the voice of 80 percent of Americans who oppose the killing and slaughter of America’s iconic mustangs and burros is heard.
Stay informed, stay ready, and stay tuned. We will keep you updated!