Helicopter Capture of Wild Horses and Burros

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20240
http://www.blm.gov

August 13, 2010

In Reply Refer To:

4700 (260) P

EMS TRANSMISSION 08/24/2010

Instruction Memorandum No. 2010-183

Expires: 09/30/2011

To:                   All Field Officials (except Alaska)

From:               Assistant Director, Renewable Resources and Planning

Subject:           Helicopter Capture of Wild Horses and Burros

Program Areas:  Wild Horse and Burro Program.

Purpose:  This Instruction Memorandum (IM) provides additional guidance with respect to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) policy for the use of helicopters to assist in the capture of wild horses and burros (WH&B). 

Policy/Action:  The BLM’s policy is to allow for the use of helicopters to assist in the capture of wild horses from July 1 through February 28.  Helicopters may be used year-round in the capture of wild burros as they do not exhibit a specific foaling season.

The peak of foaling for wild horse herds on public lands in the West falls within about a two week period, from mid-April to mid-May.  It is the BLM’s policy to prohibit the use of helicopters to assist in the capture of wild horses the six weeks before and the six weeks that follow the peak of foaling.  Therefore, the use of helicopters to capture wild horses is prohibited from March 1 until June 30, unless an emergency situation occurs. 

Timeframe: This IM is effective immediately.

Budget Impact:  None anticipated.

Background:  This IM provides further guidance with respect to the use of helicopters to assist in the capture of wild horses. 

Manual/Handbook Sections Affected:  This IM clarifies the intent of BLM Manual Section 4720.41 and BLM Handbook 4700-1, Chapter 4.4.4 with regard to the BLM’s policy on the use of helicopters to assist in the capture of wild horses. 

Coordination:  This IM was coordinated among WO-200 and WO-260 staff and State WH&B Program Leads.

Contact: If you have any questions regarding this memorandum, please call Susie Stokke at 202-912-7262.

Signed by:                                                       Authenticated by:

Bud C. Cribley                                                Robert M. Williams

Deputy Assistant Director                              Division of IRM Governance,WO-560

Renewable Resources and Planning