BLM seeks public comments on Little Bookcliffs Herd Management Area
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GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. –The Bureau of Land Management Grand Junction Field Office seeks public input on an environmental assessment evaluating bait trapping wild horses in the Little Bookcliffs Herd Management Area northeast of Grand Junction.
“Throughout the year, we work closely with Friends of the Mustangs to ensure a healthy wild horse population roams on healthy rangelands in the Little Bookcliffs,” said Katie Stevens, BLM Grand Junction Field Manager. “While we have been successful at reducing birth rates and extending the time between gathers to an average of five years, periodic gathers are still necessary in order to keep the range healthy enough to support the herd long-term.”
The Little Bookcliffs HMA covers more than 36,000 acres, and the BLM manages the area for an appropriate management level of between 90 and 150 wild horses. Currently, the population estimate in the HMA is over 175 wild horses.
The analysis also considers an optional gather using a helicopter and applying fertility treatments to mares to manage birth rates within the herd.
The environmental assessment is available online at https://go.usa.gov/xQm6V. For comments to be considered, those must be received by July 5, 2018, via mail to the BLM Grand Junction Field Office, 2815 H Rd, Grand Junction, CO 81506 or via email to blm_co_gjfo_wild_horse@blm.gov
Before including your address, phone number, e-mail address, or any other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment, including personal identifying information, may be made publicly available at any time. While individuals may request BLM to withhold personal identifying information from public view, the BLM cannot guarantee it will be able to do so.
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.