BLM to conduct wild horse gather in eastern Nevada
Organization
BLM Office:
Media Contact:
ELY, Nev. – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will begin a wild horse gather near Ely, Nevada on or about July 8, 2019. The purpose of this gather is to reduce overpopulation of wild horses in Eastern Nevada and to prevent further degradation of public lands by helping to balance herd size. Wild horses removed from the range will be made available for adoption or sale to good homes through the BLM’s Adoption and Sale Program.
The population of wild horses in the gather area, known as the Triple B Complex, was estimated at 3,381 as of March 1, 2019 – more than ten times above the target population of 474-889 wild horses. By balancing herd size with what the land can support, the BLM aims to protect habitat for other wildlife species such as sage grouse, pronghorn antelope, mule deer and elk. Removing excess animals would also enable significant progress toward achieving the Standards for Rangeland Health identified by the Northeastern Great Basin Resource Advisory Council.
The BLM’s priority is to conduct safe, efficient, and successful wild horse gather operations while ensuring humane care and treatment of all animals gathered. The BLM and its contractors will use the best available science and handling practices for wild horses while meeting overall gather goals and objectives in accordance with the Comprehensive Animal Welfare Policy.
All horses identified for removal will be transported to the Palomino Valley Center Wild Horse and Burro Corrals in Sparks, Nevada, where they will be checked by a veterinarian and readied for the BLM’s wild horse and burro Adoption and Sale Program.
The BLM Elko and Ely districts are conducting the gather operation, which will employ the use of helicopters. The Triple B Complex is located in the BLM Elko and Ely districts on public lands administered by the Wells and Bristlecone field offices. The gather may also take place in areas outside the Complex where wild horses have moved in search of food and water, creating a public safety hazard. Approximately 2,581 wild horses will remain in the Complex once the gather is completed. It is expected to last approximately 20-25 days.
Members of the public are welcome to view the daily gather operations, provided that it does not jeopardize the safety of the animals, staff or observers and that it does not disrupt gather operations. The BLM will escort the public to gather observation sites located on public lands. The BLM anticipates that viewing opportunities will begin on or about July 9, 2019, weather and logistics permitting. Those wanting to view gather operations are asked to notify Public Affairs Specialist Chris Hanefeld at (775) 289-1800 prior to the desired viewing date to be added to the attendee list and to receive specific instructions on meeting locations and times.
The BLM is conducting the gather under the DOI-BLM-NV-E030-2017-0010-EA Antelope and Triple B Complexes Gather Plan Environmental Assessment decision signed on December 21, 2017. Access the Decision Record and determination of National Environmental Policy Act adequacy at https://go.usa.gov/xyYxj.
Once the gather is underway, the BLM will post gather reports and additional information on its website at https://go.usa.gov/xy2R7. For technical information, contact Wild Horse and Burro Specialist Ben Noyes at (775) 289-1836 or bnoyes@blm.gov.
For information on how to adopt or purchase a wild horse or burro, visit www.blm.gov/whb.
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.