On December 28, BLM will begin the largest roundup of the 2024 fiscal year at a place they now call the “East Pershing Complex.” The roundup is approved to last through February. Let us see if BLM rushes and pushes through dark as they off-load in temporary holding and deny access to observe (becoming a very common occurrence, particularly in the district).
BLM plans to capture and remove 2,875 wild horses. None will be returned. BLM claims that the post-operation population will be 622 wild horses.
The complex spans about 2.2 million acres. BLM says only 345-555 wild horses can live in the complex. BLM is targeting low AML and claiming “overpopulation” before reaching the 345 wild horse goal. This area is heavily coveted by both mining and livestock.
The Complex includes three Herd Management Areas (HMA) (North Stillwater, Augusta Mountains, and Tobin Range) and four Herd Areas (HA) (Humboldt, East Range, Sonoma Range, and Augusta Mountains).
Humbolt HA “zero out.” Wild horses being driven past domestic cattle
BLM has provided no pre-roundup census data.
BLM is using modeling tiered off of a 2018 Environmental Assessment (EA) to justify the removal. BLM has, once again, released no Decision of NEPA Adequacy (DNA) to determine adequacy of existing NEPA (paperwork they use to make the activity legal), they simply say it is adequate.
We are in the courts now on this very issue. BLM uses ten-year population growth suppression plans without management plans. BLM provides absolutely no documentation to demonstrate their NEPA is adequate years after the EA was finalized. Hopefully, we can stop this charade by BLM from continuing to happen in 2024 by setting a sorely needed legal precedent. Yes, there was an earlier court case that noted “Ten year EAs are likely illegal.” However, that case did not set a precedent that they are. We are working hard in the courts now to stop removals without analysis and to gain real management planning.
East Pershing Complex, Augusta
NOTE: After the 1971 law was passed stating that horses and burros were to be managed on land where presently found, BLM began to carve out areas they called Herd Areas (designated ranges for use by wild horses and burros). BLM has never made any data used available to the public. From those areas, BLM then decided where they would “manage” wild horses and burros and carved out Herd Management Areas (HMAs). BLM has never made data used for those determinations available to the public.
When you look at the maps above, you can see this area is one of those where an awful lot of designated habitat was lost, even where there is no checkerboard of private land. Augusta shrunk tremendously (compare the HA map to the HMA map in the slideshow). Even the non checkerboard areas of East Range and Sonoma were not kept and they were zeroes out entirely. The area between Augusta and the rest of the HMAs was not included in the original due to “terrain.” (A BLM employee actually explained to us years ago that no one wanted to go in there before there were better roads and they just left it off, even though it is prime winter range and even the Clan Alpine horses move north to use it.)
You can see the area clearly of exchange between Augusta and Clan Alpine. You can also see the area of exchange with New Pass/Ravenswood.
Does this sound familiar? Yes, we talked about it during the Clan Alpine roundup that just ended. The “three district” line underscores the lack of communication and actual data that is used in this program. (We are actively in an active federal land court appeal on Clan Alpine to stop a repeat.)
BLM knows about the seasonal exchange of wild horses moving back-and-forth for winter forage. They know that horses move seasonally and never bothered to determine if they are counting the same horses more than once when setting AML and doing roundups. (Both AML and what’s left on range after a roundup, before the roundup, has never been supported by any actual data.)
East Pershing Complex
While the Advisory Board meeting was taking place, and BLM was touting just how transparent they are, a release of wild horses was happening after the Clan Alpine roundup. 48 hours before the release of mares treated with GonaCon, BLM decided to deny us access to observe the release. BLM had already released unmarked studs in the north (where if they follow seasonal routes, they would head toward the target zone for the next roundup, this roundup at East Pershing). They were going to release horses captured in the south (where there is a high incidence of cancers) into the north end near the next roundup zone. Why didn’t they want us there?
Our team member is heading out and a second will be on the way soon.
Beginning tomorrow, we will start our in-depth reporting from onsite. Many of you have come to rely on WHE as your source for “more than numbers and a picture.” We will be onsite and be your eyes and ears.
You can see roundups in review from the 2023 fiscal year HERE.
You can take action to stop abuse HERE
The “Top Ten” viewed articles, video and images can be seen HERE.
Thank you for keeping us in the field and in the fight!
Categories: Wild Horse Education
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