BLM to seek public comment on proposed wild horse management in the Swasey Herd Management Area
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FILLMORE, Utah — The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Fillmore Field Office is seeking public comment on an environmental assessment (EA) analyzing a proposed wild horse gather, removal, and the use of population growth suppression in the Swasey Herd Management Area (HMA).
The Swasey Herd Management Area (HMA) is located in Juab and Millard Counties, about 50 miles west from Delta, Utah. It consists of approximately 120,113 acres of public and state lands. The HMA has an estimated population of 721 wild horses, more than seven times over the Appropriate Management Level (AML) upper limit. The AML is 60-100 wild horses.
The EA analyzes a proposal to gather and remove excess wild horses and in the vicinity of the HMA. The BLM proposes to remove excess horses down to AML for a variety of reasons including but not limited to: resource impacts related to over AML horse population, habitat suitability, and actions necessary to improve Utah Rangeland Health and Standards in the area impacted by the overpopulation of horses.
The EA, including maps, is available on the BLM’s ePlanning website at: https://go.usa.gov/xdrD5
Written comments will be accepted by letter or on ePlanning until Feb. 20, 2020. Special attention will be given to those comments that contain new technical or scientific information relevant to the proposed action. Comments should be as specific as possible. Comments that contain only opinions or preferences will not receive a formal response but may be considered in the BLM decision-making process. Please reference “Swasey Herd Management Area” when submitting comments.
Written comments may be mailed or e-mailed using the following:
Mail
BLM Fillmore Field Office
Attn: Trent Staheli
95 East 500 North
Fillmore, UT 84631
ePlanning
https://go.usa.gov/xdrD5
Those who provide comments are advised that before including their address, phone number, e-mail address, or other personal identifying information, they should be aware that the entire comment – including the personal identifying information – may be made publicly available at any time. While those commenting can ask in their comments to withhold personal identifying information from public review, the BLM cannot guarantee that they will be able to do so.
For additional gather information, contact Trent Staheli at (435) 743-3164. Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1-800-877-8339 to leave a message or question for the above individual. The FRS is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Replies are provided during normal business hours.
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.