BLM seeks public input on Rock Springs wild horse gather plan
CHEYENNE, Wyo. – The Bureau of Land Management is seeking public input to inform the development of an environmental assessment for the gather and removal of nearly 5,000 excess wild horses over a 3-year period from areas designated as the Great Divide Basin, Salt Wells Creek, and Adobe Town herd management areas. The removals, which follow a 2023 land use planning decision, would help protect land health and resolve management conflicts in the area.
On May 9, 2023, the BLM issued a land use planning decision to cease management of public lands for wild horses in the Great Divide Basin, Salt Wells Creek, and a portion of Adobe Town. The BLM made this decision to resolve ongoing management conflicts between private and public land sections within the checkerboard land pattern of ownership. Under BLM’s management practices, horses currently found within those former herd management areas are now considered appropriate for removal.
The environmental assessment will analyze potential impacts associated with the gather and removal from these areas. It is likely that multiple removal operations would occur over multiple years to fully remove wild horses from the designated areas. Proposed removal operations could begin between October 1, 2024, and September 30, 2025. Please visit the following BLM ePlanning link for the full scoping notice and to provide feedback via the “Participate Now” option: https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2032715/510. This 30-day scoping period will conclude July 8, 2024, at 4:00pm MST.
For questions, please contact BLM Wyoming State Office Public Affairs at BLM_WY_912@blm.gov.
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The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.