A 2004 USGS study found that in-the-wild use of contraceptive measures alone would save $7.7 million annually. In support of H.R. 249 Questions & Answers.

The Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971- PL 92-195 as Amended

Congress finds and declares that wild free-roaming horses and burros are living symbols of the historic and pioneer spirit of the West; that they contribute to the diversity of life forms within the Nation and enrich the lives of the American people; and that these horses and burros are fast disappearing from the American scene.

Is there really an over population of wild horses on public lands?

• We have fewer wild horses and burros now than when the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act passed in 1971 stating, “wild horses and burros were fast disappearing from the American scene.”

• There were 60,000 wild horses and burros counted during 1974 ground census.

• BLM’s target goal is approximately 23,000. This number is far below the recommended minimum number to sustain healthy populations. [30,150 animals] ( (Dr. E. Gus Cothran – University of Kentucky) BLM has eliminated wild horses and burros from 102 Herd Areas (home ranges) of the 303 areas that Congress had designated for sustaining wild horses and burros.

• Per the Act, these ranges are to be used “PRINCIPALLY” for wild horses and burros. Yet wild horse populations have been cut in half while livestock numbers have not been significantly reduced in more than twenty years. Wild horses and burros have been zeroed out from more than 13 million acres originally designated for them by the 1971 Act and are now found on only 34.5 million acres of the 261 million public lands acres managed by the BLM. 43 CFR 4710.5 – rarely implemented by the BLM- is to be used in times of drought and other inclement conditions to keep wild horses and burros on public lands. “Despite lacking data on the number of wild horses the land can support, BLM has proceeded with removing wild horses.” (GAO – 1990-RCED-90/110)

Are wild horses the cause of over-grazing of the public rangelands?

• “BLM frequently used the lack of detailed carrying capacity and range monitoring data to explain why it has not taken action to reduce widely recognized overgrazing by domestic livestock.” (GAO –1990-RCED-90/110)

• “The primary cause of degradation in rangeland resources is poorly managed domestic livestock (primarily cattle and sheep) grazing.” “Although recognizing that overgrazing was occurring, BLM range managers reported that no adjustments in the authorized livestock grazing levels were scheduled in 75% of the allotments threatened with further damage.” (GAO – 1990 RCED –90-110)

Why are there 35,000 wild horses in long-term holding pastures?

• These horses should never have been removed from their rangelands. Removals of wild horses are not based on the Act, “achieving a thriving ecological balance.” BLM bases AML (appropriate management level) on perceived historic population levels and recommendations from Advisory Boards comprised mainly of livestock permittees. (GAO –1990 RCED – 90-110)

• BLM has historically favored management based on capture and removal, rather than in-the-wild management.

• These older horses in holding facilities were never given an opportunity to be adopted based on a myth that older horses are “unadoptable.” They were sent directly to long-term holding pastures.

• BLM’s poor marketing program and lack of understanding the uniqueness of wild horses has led to the perceived notion that older horses are unadoptable.