BLM releases decision for Red Desert wild horse gather
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RAWLINS, Wyo. – The Bureau of Land Management today issued a decision on a proposed wild horse gather in Wyoming’s Red Desert Wild Horse Herd Management Area Complex. The decision demonstrates the BLM’s commitment to maintaining healthy wild horses on healthy, productive public rangelands.
The BLM Rawlins and Lander field offices will gather and remove wild horses at a future date that has yet to be determined. The action will help return populations to within appropriate management levels, ensure long-term viability of sage-grouse populations within the complex, and help the BLM administer the PZP-22 fertility control vaccine to mares returned to the complex.
The Red Desert Complex, which includes the Antelope Hills, Crooks Mountain, Green Mountain, Lost Creek and Stewart Creek herd management areas, is located in Sweetwater, Carbon, Fremont and Natrona counties west and south of Wyoming Highway 287.
Based on recent aerial surveys, the BLM estimates that the Red Desert Complex's population is approaching 3,000 horses, while the appropriate management level is less than 724 horses. In addition, the horses are moving outside of their established herd management areas and causing impacts in areas not identified for their management.
The environmental assessment, finding of no significant impact and decision record are available by visiting the BLM website at: http://bit.ly/Red_Desert_Gather. The decision is subject to administrative review through the appeal process, which is outlined in the decision record.
Wild horses essentially have no natural predators, resulting in a rapid increase in population. If not appropriately managed, herds double in size every four to five years. To maintain wild horses in good physical condition and protect the health of public land, the BLM must manage their population growth.
Wild horses that are removed will be available for adoption to qualified applicants. To learn more about the BLM’s Wild Horse and Burro Program and adopting a Wyoming wild horse, visit BLM.GOV/WHB or contact the national information center at 866-468-7826 or wildhorse@blm.gov.
For more information about the future Red Desert wild horse gather, please contact Tim Novotny at 307-328-4200 or Clay Stott at 307-332-8400.
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.