BLM Checkerboard Wild Horse Removal Scheduled for October
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Today, the BLM released its decision to gather and remove wild horses within and outside of the Great Divide Basin, Salt Wells Creek, and Adobe Town Herd Management Areas.
After October 15, wild horses will be removed on sections of land with mixed private and public ownership, known as the checkerboard, as well as horses that have strayed outside the HMA boundaries. Wild Horses located within the solid block of public lands in the HMAs will not be gathered. All wild horses that are removed will be entered into the Wild Horse and Burro Program to be made available for adoption.
This action is in response to requests from private landowners and complies with Section 4 of the Wild and Free Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971 and the April 2013 Consent Decree, Rock Springs Grazing Association v. Salazar (Civil Action No. 11-CV-263-NDF).
The Decision Record, Finding of No Significant Impact, and Environmental Assessment along with project maps can be found at http://bit.ly/2bj4PzJ.
According to 2016 population surveys, there are approximately 272 wild horses on checkerboard lands within the Great Divide Basin HMA, 187 wild horses on checkerboard lands within the Salt Wells Creek HMA and 25 wild horses in the checkerboard lands within the Adobe Town HMA. The wild horse populations on the checkerboard lands exceed the limits set forth in the 2013 Consent Decree, triggering the need for removal.
For more information, please contact the BLM wild horse specialist at 307-352-0256.
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.