Virtual Meeting Reaffirms NPS’s Commitment to Eliminate Theodore Roosevelt Wild Horses

On October 10th, the National Park Services (NPS) held a virtual meeting to discuss the Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Livestock Plan at Theodore Roosevelt National Park (TRNP). The meeting highlighted the NPS's intention to remove the park's historic wild horse herd, aligning with conservation goals and Secretary Order 3410.

The meeting was attended by key TRNP staff, including Angie Richman, Superintendent; Blake McCann, Director of Resource Management and Science; Maureen McGee-Ballinger, Deputy Superintendent; and Jenny Powers, Lead for the Wildlife Health Program for the NPS.

During the session, TRNP staff reviewed the four parts of the Draft EA and addressed questions from previously submitted comments and meeting participants.

Wild Horse Removal Plans

Currently, about 195 horses reside in the South Unit of the Park. The EA outlines three alternatives: allowing 35-60 horses to remain, requiring the removal of about 150 horses; expedited elimination of all horses; and phased elimination of all horses.

In previous discussions, the NPS argued that the horses are livestock, not native wildlife. The NPS now cites Secretary Order 3410, which aims to restore wild bison populations and prairie ecosystems, as further justification for the horses' removal.

Responses to Public Concerns

• The removal of horses is not expected to impact tourism in Medora or North Dakota, as the park offers other attractions like native wildlife and diverse landscapes. (The North Dakota Department of Tourism disagrees and has asked the NPS to retain the horses.)
• There is a misconception that the park will kill horses. (The EA mentions euthanasia as a last resort for horses that cannot be placed or sold.)
• Some mares from a 2009-2015 GonaCon research project may not have returned to fertility. (An AWHC FOIA request revealed that 19 out of 24 mares vaccinated with GonaCon had not regained fertility since 2013.)
• Managing the horse herd requires significant funding and staff time, which could be used for other park resources. (The NPS has not provided cost estimates for horse management and has not responded to offers of support from North Dakota officials and nonprofits.)
• An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is not required, as the NPS believes the removal will not significantly impact the environment. (AWHC argues that an EIS is necessary due to the controversial nature of the plan and its legal, environmental, economic, and social implications.)

Workshop Notes and Public Engagement

Notably, when asked about the removal of workshop notes from the Livestock EA reference documents, TRNP staff stated it was an internal document mistakenly uploaded. These notes are crucial for understanding changes in management focus from historic scenes to native ecosystems.

Highlights from the workshop include discussions on the increase of herds on BLM lands, the rarity of bison in natural settings, and the shift from historic scene management to native species management. Roosevelt's conservation-mindedness was emphasized, viewing horses as intrusions on the landscape.

The deadline for public comments on the EA is October 25, 2023. However, Superintendent Richman mentioned a possible extension. A Decision Record will be released in late winter or early spring.