Wild Horse Board Meeting Postponed Due to Legal Threats

The Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) advisory board, responsible for making recommendations on the management of wild horses and burros, has postponed its latest meeting due to threats of legal action. This decision highlights ongoing tensions surrounding wild horse management on public lands.

Meeting Details and Legal Concerns

The BLM's National Wild Horse and Burro Advisory Board meeting was initially scheduled for March 27 and 28 in Salt Lake City. However, the meeting announcement on March 13 sparked controversy, as two public interest groups claimed it violated the Federal Advisory Committee Act by not providing the required 30 days of public notice.

In response, both the Cloud Foundation and the American Wild Horse Conservation (formerly American Wild Horse Campaign) threatened to sue the BLM to prevent the meeting from taking place.

Reasons for Postponement

The BLM's website indicates that the late notice was due to the impending expiration of terms for three board members on March 31. Without these members, the board would lack the quorum necessary to make recommendations to the Secretary of the Interior.

As of now, it remains unclear when the meeting will be rescheduled.

Controversy and Past Meetings

The board's last meeting occurred in October in Grand Junction. The advisory board has been a source of controversy, particularly due to some members recommending the euthanasia of wild horses as a population control measure.

Originally posted by Western Slope Now