Your Tax Dollars at Work: BLM Targets Herd for Third Time
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has initiated another 'emergency' roundup in the Dolly Varden Springs area of the Antelope Valley and Goshute Herd Management Areas (HMAs). This operation aims to remove 900 horses using bait and water trapping methods, avoiding helicopter use. This roundup follows recent removals in the same areas, raising questions about the necessity and frequency of such actions.
Antelope Valley HMA
The Antelope Valley HMA is located approximately 52 miles south of Wells, covering 502,909 acres of mixed BLM and private lands. The BLM's Appropriate Management Level (AML) allows for only 115-259 horses. Horses have been part of this range since the mid-1800s, with dominant colors including bay, sorrel, black, brown, buckskin, gray, and dun.
Goshute HMA
The Goshute HMA is southwest of Wendover, Nevada, spanning 267,277 acres. The BLM permits an AML of 74-123 horses. Predominant colors among the Goshute horses are bays, sorrels, dark browns, and blacks, with a few buckskins, duns, and palominos. These horses are relatively small, averaging around 14 hands in height.
Controversy Over Water and Forage
The Dolly Varden Spring, located on private land, has long provided water for wild horses. However, the BLM now claims insufficient water and forage to support them. Photos by Love Wild Horses’ photographer Jeanne Nations show healthy horses enjoying the water, challenging the BLM's assertions.
Photo by Jeanne Bencich Nations for lovewildhorses.org
Photo by Jeanne Bencich Nations for lovewildhorses.org
Photo by Jeanne Bencich Nations for lovewildhorses.org
Financial Implications
The BLM is spending significant funds to remove 900 horses from the Dolly Varden, Antelope Valley, and Goshute HMAs, despite having conducted similar operations in July. On July 12, 2018, the BLM removed 135 horses from the Goshute HMA, and on July 31, 2018, another 265 horses were removed near Deer Spring in the Antelope Valley HMA. Now, just two months later, the BLM returns to remove 900 more horses, citing another 'emergency' situation.