This beautiful young stud and his mare (that looks ready to give birth) are in the target zone of an active roundup where BLM has never defined foaling season using data.
Action item up front. Scroll down for more info.
The BLM has been allocated increased funding since 2018 to implement increased removals, fertility control and the adoption program.
This has occurred without any external review and likely accelerates the flaws and deficits put forth in the 2013 National Academy of Sciences (NAS) report.
It is irresponsible to continue to increase funding without an independent review as required: (PL 92-195), section §1333. subpart (a), (b)(3).
- Congress must immediately require BLM to commission a study by the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) of the Wild Horse and Burro program.
- The agency must be prohibited from restricting the information the NAS can utilize in making determinations.
- The NAS must not be restricted from determining what analysis is required for any component, program or sub-program.
Removals have accelerated to unprecedented numbers as holding facilities overflow increasing the long-term financial responsibility to the taxpayer and physically impacting public lands and resources.
An independent, science-based review is overdue. Allowing the agency to self evaluate, as the only caveat prior to releasing additional funding is irresponsible.
Click HERE to send the above request to your representatives.
Blue Wing Burros, NV
The BLM has been running full steam utilizing a lobby document (Path Forward) as the basis for how they utilize programmatic funding: increasing roundups and the use of numerous types of population growth suppression (fertility control). BLM has, once again, placed careful management planning, science and data on the shelf and prioritized politics.
The last 6 years have created long lasting and potentially catastrophic consequences for many of our wild herds without any actual science-based review.
The law requires BLM to use the best available science and consult with independent experts. The law names the National Academy of Sciences (NAS), specifically.
The Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act (PUBLIC LAW 92-195), mandates in section §1333. Powers and duties of Secretary, subpart (b)(3) For the purpose of furthering knowledge of wild horse and burro population dynamics and their interrelationship with wildlife, forage and water resources, and assisting him in making his determination as to what constitutes excess animals, the Secretary shall contract for a research study of such animals with such individuals independent of Federal and State government as may be recommended by the National Academy of Sciences for having scientific expertise and special knowledge of wild horse and burro protection, wildlife management and animal husbandry as related to rangeland management. The terms and outline of such research study shall be determined by a research design panel to be appointed by the President of the National Academy of Sciences.
It has been 11 years since the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) published a review of the BLM Wild Horse and Burro Program. The last review was tightly controlled by BLM. The data that the NAS could use, and even the subjects they were allowed to analyze, were determined by BLM. Even with such tight control over the NAS, the review was scathing.
It has been six years since tax-payers began funding another agenda driven by politics. An agenda of record-breaking removals and mass use of multiple forms of fertility control without management planning or sufficient monitoring.
The public and public resources (wild horses and burros) deserve a science-based review to determine the impacts of this agenda. To continue to fund this agenda without any independent review is simply irresponsible.
We hope you join us in urging Congress to require BLM to commission a review by the National Academy of Sciences.
You can read previous reports from the NAS:
1980: Wild and Free-Roaming Horses and Burros: Current Knowledge and Recommended Research. (1980)
1982: Wild and Free-Roaming Horses and Burros: Final Report (1982)
2013: Using Science to Improve the BLM Wild Horse and Burro Program: A Way Forward
Our teams are working hard to protect and preserve our precious wild ones.
We need your help to continue to document, expose, work toward reform with lawmakers and litigate. Our wild ones deserve to live free on the range and free from abuse.
Thank you for keeping our team on the frontline leasing the way to create long overdue change for the protection and preservation of our wild ones.
Categories: Wild Horse Education
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