Wild Horse Advocates Challenge BLM Roundup in Wyoming

In a significant legal battle, wild horse advocates, including the American Wild Horse Conservation (formerly American Wild Horse Preservation Campaign), have filed a lawsuit against the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the Secretary of the Interior. The lawsuit challenges the plan to remove 500 wild horses from Wyoming's Checkerboard lands, arguing it violates federal laws designed to protect these animals.

Legal Challenge Against BLM

The lawsuit, filed by the American Wild Horse Conservation along with The Cloud Foundation, Return to Freedom, and photographers Ginger Kathrens and Kimerlee Curyl, claims that the BLM's plan to remove wild horses from both public and private lands in Wyoming violates the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act. This act allows for the removal of wild horses only from private lands unless specific conditions are met.

Violation of Federal Laws

The plaintiffs argue that the BLM's decision to treat public lands in the Checkerboard area as private is unprecedented and illegal. They assert that the BLM has not made the necessary determinations under Section 3 of the Wild Horse Act, which requires proof of overpopulation before removing wild horses from public lands.

"The BLM is turning over control of more than 1 million acres of public land to private grazing interests that want wild horses eradicated from the range," said Suzanne Roy, executive director of the American Wild Horse Conservation.

Impact on Wild Horses

The lawsuit highlights the potential negative impact on wild horse populations, as the BLM's actions could lead to a significant reduction in their numbers. The plaintiffs are seeking an injunction to stop the roundup until the BLM complies with federal law, as well as a court order to set aside the BLM's decision and its final Environmental Assessment.

Background and Context

The conflict over land use in the Checkerboard area has been ongoing, with the BLM facing pressure from private livestock grazing interests. Attorney William Eubanks, representing the plaintiffs, suggests that the BLM's actions are influenced by financial incentives tied to grazing permits.

The Tenth Circuit recently heard arguments related to a previous lawsuit challenging a 2014 BLM roundup of over 1,200 wild horses. Many of these horses remain in long-term holding facilities, awaiting adoption.

The plaintiffs argue that wild horses, unlike domesticated ones, do not typically make good pets, complicating the adoption process. They emphasize the need for legal compliance to ensure the protection and management of wild horse populations.

For more details, visit the original article by Courthouse News Service.