Wyoming Legislators to Study Wild Horse Management

Members of Wyoming's Select Federal Natural Resource Committee are urging the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to reconsider its approach to managing wild horses in the state. This initiative aims to preserve land also used for grazing privately owned livestock.

In September, the BLM began removing wild horses from the Great Divide Basin, Adobe Town, and Salt Wells Creek herd management areas. Following the gather, 338 animals were sent to the agency's Rock Springs Wild Horse Holding Facility. This removal was conducted to comply with a consent decree between the BLM and the owners of privately owned livestock that also use BLM-owned grazing lands.

Suzanne Roy, director of the American Wild Horse Conservation (formerly American Wild Horse Preservation), stated that some wild horse advocates criticized the gather. They argue it “sets a terrible precedent not only for wild horses but also for the responsible management of our public lands by elevating commercial livestock interests over the public interest and federal law.”

Additionally, some Wyoming legislators have criticized the BLM for its statewide strategies in managing the wild horses and the ranges they occupy.

“I'm not sure placing the wild horses in a holding facility is the best that we can do for these horses,” said Senator Eli Bebout, chairman of the legislature's Select Federal Natural Resource Committee. “Certainly, spending $60 million for BLM wild horse management can't be the best way to use that money.”

As a result, Bebout mentioned that the committee voted on October 13 to draft a resolution highlighting wild horse management and the animals' environmental impact on the state's rangelands.

Bebout also noted that committee members would collaborate with Wyoming Governor Matt Mead's office to educate the public about wild horse management issues in the state.

Shelley Gregory, BLM Wyoming spokeswoman, stated that the agency is aware of the resolution, “but (the BLM) will wait for the final version before responding or taking action, if any.”

Meanwhile, she emphasized that the BLM works with all its stakeholders to balance the uses of public land.

“The BLM undertakes all decisions made for public lands seriously with balance and sustainability in mind, (and) does not cater to one interest over another and considers all input before making a decision,” Gregory said.

The resolution remains pending.

Originally Posted By The Horse.com