Wyoming Files Suit to Force BLM to Manage Wild Horses

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CHEYENNE, Wyo.- Today, the State of Wyoming filed suit against the United States Department of the Interior and the United States Bureau of Land Management (BLM) over the federal government's failure to appropriately manage wild horses in Wyoming.  Wyoming announced its intent to sue in August.

“The lawsuit asks the court to force the BLM to manage wild horses in Wyoming as required by the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act,” Governor Mead said. “It is my belief, and the belief of other western governors, that the BLM does not have the resources to manage wild horses effectively.  By filing suit it sends a message that wild horse management is a priority and the BLM must be provided the funding necessary to manage them.”

The Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act requires the BLM to manage wild horses below previously set appropriate levels and to remove excess horses when populations exceed those levels. Herds will continue to exponentially grow beyond what the BLM determined is ecologically appropriate for each herd management area (HMA). These herds have population growth rates that range from as low as 25{28d451f77a4de8a52cd2586be6cc1800527fe70ea84e8b3f90098495d088e086} to as high as 58{28d451f77a4de8a52cd2586be6cc1800527fe70ea84e8b3f90098495d088e086} each year. Horses often stray from HMA onto state and private land.  

“Excess wild horses in Wyoming can harm the habitats used by other wildlife species, including sage-grouse, antelope, deer and elk,” Governor Mead said. “Overgrazing caused by overpopulation threatens all animals including horses.”

The states Petition for Review is available on the Attorney General's website here

 

 

Source:  Office of Governor Matt Mead

Posted by Jami Howell

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