Wild Horses and Washington, DC- An Update
For Immediate Release
(Washington, DC) Save Our Wild Horses Coalition members Ms. Shelley Sawhook, president of the American Horse Defense Fund, and Ms. Cindy MacDonald, author of American Herds Blog, attended a week of meetings with various representatives, senators and their aides last week in Washington, DC. Their main goal was to present a Resolution calling for a moratorium on wild horse and burro gathers (i.e., wholesale removal from their federal lands); ask for an independent census of the horses and burros, both in the wild and within holding facilities, and; call for an investigation into the highly questionable policies, processes and practices of the Bureau of Land Management’s administration of the wild horse and burro program. In addition, they presented materials and information in support of the Resolution.
All materials presented by Sawhook and MacDonald will be made available on the Save Our Wild Horses (SOWH) website as well as their own various sites and blogs.
While in Washington, Sawhook and MacDonald met with senatorial aides to the various Energy and Natural Resources Committee and related sub-committee members. MacDonald also had the opportunity to meet with her own Senators, Reid and Ensign. Many issues relating to the issue of wild horses and burros were discussed and the SOWH Resolution was presented and discussed. During the meetings, Senate questions were addressed and a policy point paper and a paper detailing the pros and cons of the Salazar Plan (i.e., Secy. Of the Interior’s plan to remove wild horses from their traditional range and place them in non-breeding sanctuaries in the East) were provided as additional resource information to support the resolution and SOWH’s positions and to answer other questions.
In several meetings, SOWH representatives were told that the Obama Administration has asked for the implementation of the “Salazar Plan” to see if it might solve the wild horse and burro issues and give the new Secretary an opportunity to administer the program without intervention so early on in his administration. This presents a problem as SOWH is opposed to the implementation of the Salazar Plan as it is not in the best interest of wild horses and burros and would pervert the existing Act protecting the nation’s wild horses and burros, specifically, the plan remove horses from their recognized herd areas.
Notable among most aides were that they were unfamiliar with wild equine issues. Once informed, they sought the input of SOWH and of those who are most familiar with wild horses and burros on what is best for them. SOWH asks that everyone with such expertise contact the committee members and their staff (links and resources are on www.saveourwildhorses.com) to provide much needed insight and guidance to assist the senators with bolstering the protections. An example of a common perception among many talked to on the Hill and among Americans was exemplified in a meeting with Senator Blanche Lincoln (D, AR). It was apparent that her office had not heard much from their constituents on the issue, stating she would likely defer to those from the western states where the mustangs and burros reside. That position fails to acknowledge that these symbols of America and our history and values belong to the American public, not just western states. SOWH calls for all Arkansans to contact Senator Lincoln’s office to voice their position on the wild horse and burro issue so that she can hear loud and clear that protection of these majestic animals are an important issue to them. Other offices that could benefit from hearing from their constituents are Senator Bob Corker (R, TN), Senator Robert Menendez (D, NJ), Senator Diane Feinstein (D, CA), Senator John Ensign (R, NV), Senator Jeff Bingaman (D, NM) and Senator Michael Bennett (D, CO).
For more information contact Shelley Sawhook email president@ahdf.org, phone 866-956-2433 address 1718 M St NW Unit 191 Washington, DC 20036.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
SOWH Resolution
The Concerned Citizens of the United States of America and Save Our Wild Horses
TITLE: Moratorium on Wild Horse and Burro Gathers and for a Congressional Investigation into the Management of the Bureau of Land Management’s Administration of the Wild and Free-Roaming Horse and Burro Program.
WHEREAS, we, the concerned citizens of the United States of America and the Save Our Wild Horses Coalition (SOWH), invoking the freedoms and rights conferred upon us as citizens, in order to preserve for ourselves and our descendants the rights and privilege of preserving our public lands and the wild horses and burros residing on them as well as the welfare of the equine being held within the holding pens of the Bureau of Land Management, a government agency, do hereby establish and submit the following resolution.
WHEREAS, the advocates and citizens that study, care for, observe and enjoy the national treasure known as the Wild and Free-Roaming Horses and Burros have been doing so for over 40 years through a variety of organizations and groups with memberships that reach thousands of members nationwide; and
WHEREAS, these citizens have for many years spent countless man hours and funding, protecting and monitoring the nation’s wild horse and burro herds; and
WHEREAS, the 16 USC §1331, et seq. directs the protection of said Wild and Free-Roaming Horses and Burros “as components of the public lands” and that their management “shall be at the minimal feasible level”; the Secretary of the Department of the Interior and Secretary of Agriculture is responsible for their management and the Bureau of Land Management is the agency that manages the program under their direction; and
WHEREAS, various political co-sponsors have introduced legislation into the House of Representatives (HR 1018) and Senate (S 1579) that would further strengthen the protections of the Wild and Free-Roaming Horses and Burros by instructing the Bureau of Land Management to determine the populations of the nation’s wild horses and burros and to work with the public in determining the Appropriate Management Level and managing these equine primarily on the range where they were found at the passage of the Wild and Free-Roaming Horse and Burro Act of 1971; and
WHEREAS, the Government Accountability Office has issued many decisions (1980, 1990, 1991, 2008) that the Bureau of Land Management doesn’t use appropriate methods to determine Appropriate Management Levels and rangeland conditions; the Concerned Citizens and SOWH agree; The Bureau acknowledges they are unsure of the number of wild horses and burros on public lands and that they can only estimate these numbers; A complete, correct and independent census of equine is needed before any decisions can be made about management of the Wild and Free-Roaming Horses and Burros or any actions taken; and
WHEREAS, the Bureau of Land Management has instituted an aggressive gather plan to remove as many wild horses and burros before any such legislation or proper census can be conducted (FY 2010 estimates the removals will equal 12,000 animals), The Bureau also failed to consult or communicate with any groups, organizations or members of the SOWH prior to taking these actions; and
WHEREAS, seventy percent or more of all wild and free-roaming horse and burro areas are managed below the generally accepted and scientifically based genetic viability which is in violation of the law which states Wild and Free-Roaming Horses and Burros must be managed as “self-sustaining” herds on the lands where they were found at the time of passage of the law, and over 100 herds and over twenty million acres have been lost under the management of the Bureau; and
WHEREAS, in a civil suit filed against the Bureau, Civil Action 06-1609 (RMC), a federal judge has determined that the Bureau and the Secretary of the Interior has acted “in excess of statutory jurisdiction, authority or limitations or short of statutory right” by completely removing herds from their range without justification or proof that they were “excess”; the Bureau is, as of October 2009, removing 12 herds and 1.6 million acres in the same way in defiance of the court decision; and
WHEREAS, the Bureau of Land Management’s Advisory Board for the Wild Horse and Burro program has taken a position in support of the Bureau’s actions; The members of this Advisory Board do not represent the public or the advocacy organizations that are active in monitoring or advocating for the wild horses and burros, instead they represent conflicting interests and most have sat there for several years despite having qualified nominations from those who have monitored, studied, and advocate for the wild horses and burros; and
WHEREAS, the costs of the aggressive removals and the long-term holding of wild and free-roaming horses and burros have escalated and reached the point where they cover the majority of the budget for the agency, and these costs may not be appropriate, if the Bureau is not using appropriate methods of determining rangeland capacity and Appropriate Management Levels, and it is appropriate that there be a full investigation into the administration of the free-roaming horses and burros program; and
WHEREAS, the Concerned Citizens and the Save Our Wild Horses Coalition (SOWH), a member driven coalition of major wild horse and burro advocacy groups, requests the Department of Interior, Bureau of Land Management cease and desist with all planned gathers with the exception of true emergencies and ask the Congress to investigate fully the management of the Department of Interior, Bureau of Land Management’s administration of the Wild and Free-Roaming Horse and Burro program.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that this group of Concerned Citizens and SOWH supports a Congressional Investigation into the management of wild horses and burros under the Department of Interior and the Bureau of Land Management; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this group of Concerned Citizens and SOWH asks for Congress to direct the Bureau of Land Management to cease and desist with all proposed gathers/roundups, except those of a true emergency, until a complete and impartial census is done on the population of Wild and Free-Roaming Horses and Burros; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that these Concerned Citizens and SOWH calls on the Department of Interior and Congress to support our position by supporting legislation that would better protect the wild horses and burros, on their designated range as provided by law, such as HR 1018 and/or S 1579; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that this resolution shall be the policy of SOWH until it is withdrawn or modified by subsequent resolution.
CERTIFICATION
The foregoing resolution was adopted by the SOWH General Membership October 2009, with a quorum present.
Attested to: Shelley Sawhook, Chairperson of SOWH
TITLE: Moratorium on Wild Horse and Burro Gathers and for a Congressional Investigation into the Management of the Bureau of Land Management’s Administration of the Wild and Free-Roaming Horse and Burro Program.
WHEREAS, we, the concerned citizens of the United States of America and the Save Our Wild Horses Coalition (SOWH), invoking the freedoms and rights conferred upon us as citizens, in order to preserve for ourselves and our descendants the rights and privilege of preserving our public lands and the wild horses and burros residing on them as well as the welfare of the equine being held within the holding pens of the Bureau of Land Management, a government agency, do hereby establish and submit the following resolution.
WHEREAS, the advocates and citizens that study, care for, observe and enjoy the national treasure known as the Wild and Free-Roaming Horses and Burros have been doing so for over 40 years through a variety of organizations and groups with memberships that reach thousands of members nationwide; and
WHEREAS, these citizens have for many years spent countless man hours and funding, protecting and monitoring the nation’s wild horse and burro herds; and
WHEREAS, the 16 USC §1331, et seq. directs the protection of said Wild and Free-Roaming Horses and Burros “as components of the public lands” and that their management “shall be at the minimal feasible level”; the Secretary of the Department of the Interior and Secretary of Agriculture is responsible for their management and the Bureau of Land Management is the agency that manages the program under their direction; and
WHEREAS, various political co-sponsors have introduced legislation into the House of Representatives (HR 1018) and Senate (S 1579) that would further strengthen the protections of the Wild and Free-Roaming Horses and Burros by instructing the Bureau of Land Management to determine the populations of the nation’s wild horses and burros and to work with the public in determining the Appropriate Management Level and managing these equine primarily on the range where they were found at the passage of the Wild and Free-Roaming Horse and Burro Act of 1971; and
WHEREAS, the Government Accountability Office has issued many decisions (1980, 1990, 1991, 2008) that the Bureau of Land Management doesn’t use appropriate methods to determine Appropriate Management Levels and rangeland conditions; the Concerned Citizens and SOWH agree; The Bureau acknowledges they are unsure of the number of wild horses and burros on public lands and that they can only estimate these numbers; A complete, correct and independent census of equine is needed before any decisions can be made about management of the Wild and Free-Roaming Horses and Burros or any actions taken; and
WHEREAS, the Bureau of Land Management has instituted an aggressive gather plan to remove as many wild horses and burros before any such legislation or proper census can be conducted (FY 2010 estimates the removals will equal 12,000 animals), The Bureau also failed to consult or communicate with any groups, organizations or members of the SOWH prior to taking these actions; and
WHEREAS, seventy percent or more of all wild and free-roaming horse and burro areas are managed below the generally accepted and scientifically based genetic viability which is in violation of the law which states Wild and Free-Roaming Horses and Burros must be managed as “self-sustaining” herds on the lands where they were found at the time of passage of the law, and over 100 herds and over twenty million acres have been lost under the management of the Bureau; and
WHEREAS, in a civil suit filed against the Bureau, Civil Action 06-1609 (RMC), a federal judge has determined that the Bureau and the Secretary of the Interior has acted “in excess of statutory jurisdiction, authority or limitations or short of statutory right” by completely removing herds from their range without justification or proof that they were “excess”; the Bureau is, as of October 2009, removing 12 herds and 1.6 million acres in the same way in defiance of the court decision; and
WHEREAS, the Bureau of Land Management’s Advisory Board for the Wild Horse and Burro program has taken a position in support of the Bureau’s actions; The members of this Advisory Board do not represent the public or the advocacy organizations that are active in monitoring or advocating for the wild horses and burros, instead they represent conflicting interests and most have sat there for several years despite having qualified nominations from those who have monitored, studied, and advocate for the wild horses and burros; and
WHEREAS, the costs of the aggressive removals and the long-term holding of wild and free-roaming horses and burros have escalated and reached the point where they cover the majority of the budget for the agency, and these costs may not be appropriate, if the Bureau is not using appropriate methods of determining rangeland capacity and Appropriate Management Levels, and it is appropriate that there be a full investigation into the administration of the free-roaming horses and burros program; and
WHEREAS, the Concerned Citizens and the Save Our Wild Horses Coalition (SOWH), a member driven coalition of major wild horse and burro advocacy groups, requests the Department of Interior, Bureau of Land Management cease and desist with all planned gathers with the exception of true emergencies and ask the Congress to investigate fully the management of the Department of Interior, Bureau of Land Management’s administration of the Wild and Free-Roaming Horse and Burro program.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that this group of Concerned Citizens and SOWH supports a Congressional Investigation into the management of wild horses and burros under the Department of Interior and the Bureau of Land Management; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this group of Concerned Citizens and SOWH asks for Congress to direct the Bureau of Land Management to cease and desist with all proposed gathers/roundups, except those of a true emergency, until a complete and impartial census is done on the population of Wild and Free-Roaming Horses and Burros; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that these Concerned Citizens and SOWH calls on the Department of Interior and Congress to support our position by supporting legislation that would better protect the wild horses and burros, on their designated range as provided by law, such as HR 1018 and/or S 1579; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that this resolution shall be the policy of SOWH until it is withdrawn or modified by subsequent resolution.
CERTIFICATION
The foregoing resolution was adopted by the SOWH General Membership October 2009, with a quorum present.
Attested to: Shelley Sawhook, Chairperson of SOWH
Friday, October 9, 2009
The BLM's GRnad Plans for the Horses
The Bureau of Land Mangement, in response to Congress's demands for a plan for the wild horses, has unveiled their grand plan to Congress and the public. Dept of the Interior Secretary Salazar announced in a phone-in media event that they would begin moving horses to seven privately (or possibly public) held ranches called "preserves". The preserves would hold about 25000 animals. This is their grand plan for protecting and preserving our wild horses for generations. In addition the BLM will institute an aggressive program to use PZP, a controversial birth control, to the animals remaining on the range. They are also planning on introducing gelding only herds to the range. Some groups have applauded the program and see it as an answer to the wild horse and burro "problem".
Personally and professionally I have a BIG problem with the program as well as those that support it.
First, the BLM claims this will protect the horses. This isn't true as the non-breeding and non-viable herds would eventually die out as even any zoo realizes that a breeding program is necessary to continuing to supply animals for their future. As a matter of fact, most zoos struggle to find adult animals to breed, but wait we would have the ones from the range to supplement them with right? WRONG! Remember they are going to aggressively administer PZP to the ones on the range. This effectively will eliminate any and all foals. Not to mention that all gelding herds will count as herds and they too will be non-reproducing. Eventually all wild horses will be gone, forever eliminated by this grand plan.
Next, the BLM forgets their mandate to manage them on the range with as minimal amount of handling as possible, Not to mention that during the debate on the 1971 Act it was discussed and decided that they didn't want the animals in a "zoo-like" setting. What would these preserves be but a glorified zoo? When removed from the wild these icons become not an animal in the wild but a caged animal. The BLM says that the preserves can be a draw for eco-tourism. What a crock! If someone wants to see a penned mustang I have some, come pay me a visit and I bet it would be cheaper than going to the preserves to see them. When removed from the wild they lose their innate wildness and their majestic uniqueness to be indistinguishable from a domestic horse unless you are training it or caring for it daily. Going to see them in a preserve will be nothing more than watching horses fenced in and grazing.
The BLM also fails to recognize that the horses and burros are supposed to be managed as "self-sustaining". This means REPRODUCING. The plan they have to inject them all with PZP only helps one group that is paid to oversee the PZP program. Which is why that group is in support of the plan. BOO and HISS to them. This group is already one of the largest and wealthiest groups in the world. Why do they need to make money off the backs of these animals? I guess to pay them those big salaries, while other groups struggle to pay the bills. (Trust me I am having a hard time writing this as they are so big and wealthy that a war with them could end up closing down AHDF. They have attacked and shut the doors to other orgs that have spoken out against them. Not to mention that they employ people who I think of as friends.)
Did you know that the BLM has turned America into backyard breeders? They have and this is how. 70% of the existing herds are below genetic viability and to introduce new blood into those herds they move horses around. They don't pick the horses with the best survival skills or what improves them, but what looks the prettiest. Some herds are now being managed for their "adoptability", this means how pretty they are and beauty is in the eye of the beholder. This is what backyard breeders do. These herds should be self-sustaining, the key word here is self. Not pick the pretty one and breed it just to be breeding.
During the Pryor Mountain Roundup not to long ago they tried pairing horses. They took mares and put them with younger stallions hoping that they would pair up and breed at some point after the PZP wore off. The stallions they paired the mares to hadn't proven themselves to earn a mare. This is how the breed continues when a stallion is strong enough to take a mare. They just wanted to intervene with nature and take a pretty mare and put it with a pretty stud and hope for pretty babies. This is what we call backyard breeding. The goal wasn't to produce a foal that can survive, it wasn't to insure that any offspring would be hearty, it wasn't to improve the breed. Shoot, it wasn't even to ensure that the mare would survive because if the stallion acts foolish, as young stallions do, the mare could parish as well. Good job BLM!
Did you know that there are only about 2000 burros left in the wild? They aren't all in the same place so forget genetic viability. They are clinging onto their freedom and to survival, but they are losing out.
The BLM also fails to take into account that this has been tried before, it was called long-term holding. This plan is nothing but a glorified long term holding facility. They also tried a sanctuary once before and it was nothing but a money pit, so much so that they moved to long term holding facilities. Now they want to go back to the first problem to solve the new one? How stupid is that? Not to mention that a while back the BLM was sending horses to a ranch in Nebraska called the Three Strikes Ranch and most of us know how that ended and it wasn't well.
This plan also involves huge cost to taxpayers. It is estimated that it will cost about $96 million for 2 sanctuaries. Most range plans show that if BLM simply implemented their plans to add water resources the range could support more horses more effectively. The Pryor Mountain Range Plans show that 10 years ago it was noted that if they added 5 watering areas the range grazing would be evenly distributed. To this day the BLM has added only 2 of those water sources. In addition in other areas when volunteers have offered to provide the labor and supplies to water animals their offers have been rejected. Most notably this was in the Clarke Mountain area where the burros were fenced off from their traditional watering hole to protect the desert tortoise, the local Boy Scout troop and others volunteered to provide the water by piping it to the burros. Instead the BLM insisted that all the burros be removed. I guess the taxpayer can foot the bill to water cattle, but not the native wildlife which includes the burros and horses. I would personally donate to a plan to provide water on the range to prevent another senseless gather and I know many others would as well. They can afford to turn down those types of offers, but they can afford millions to pen them to turn them into some side of the road attraction? What about the fact that they aren't to be used commercially?
As a taxpayer this "plan" sucks, as a horse lover this plan sucks and as a person who really understands and loves the mustangs it sucks big time!
I will get off my soapbox now, although I still have lots more to say about this plan and will at some future date when I get done being sick to my stomach at the BLM plans and those that support it.
Personally and professionally I have a BIG problem with the program as well as those that support it.
First, the BLM claims this will protect the horses. This isn't true as the non-breeding and non-viable herds would eventually die out as even any zoo realizes that a breeding program is necessary to continuing to supply animals for their future. As a matter of fact, most zoos struggle to find adult animals to breed, but wait we would have the ones from the range to supplement them with right? WRONG! Remember they are going to aggressively administer PZP to the ones on the range. This effectively will eliminate any and all foals. Not to mention that all gelding herds will count as herds and they too will be non-reproducing. Eventually all wild horses will be gone, forever eliminated by this grand plan.
Next, the BLM forgets their mandate to manage them on the range with as minimal amount of handling as possible, Not to mention that during the debate on the 1971 Act it was discussed and decided that they didn't want the animals in a "zoo-like" setting. What would these preserves be but a glorified zoo? When removed from the wild these icons become not an animal in the wild but a caged animal. The BLM says that the preserves can be a draw for eco-tourism. What a crock! If someone wants to see a penned mustang I have some, come pay me a visit and I bet it would be cheaper than going to the preserves to see them. When removed from the wild they lose their innate wildness and their majestic uniqueness to be indistinguishable from a domestic horse unless you are training it or caring for it daily. Going to see them in a preserve will be nothing more than watching horses fenced in and grazing.
The BLM also fails to recognize that the horses and burros are supposed to be managed as "self-sustaining". This means REPRODUCING. The plan they have to inject them all with PZP only helps one group that is paid to oversee the PZP program. Which is why that group is in support of the plan. BOO and HISS to them. This group is already one of the largest and wealthiest groups in the world. Why do they need to make money off the backs of these animals? I guess to pay them those big salaries, while other groups struggle to pay the bills. (Trust me I am having a hard time writing this as they are so big and wealthy that a war with them could end up closing down AHDF. They have attacked and shut the doors to other orgs that have spoken out against them. Not to mention that they employ people who I think of as friends.)
Did you know that the BLM has turned America into backyard breeders? They have and this is how. 70% of the existing herds are below genetic viability and to introduce new blood into those herds they move horses around. They don't pick the horses with the best survival skills or what improves them, but what looks the prettiest. Some herds are now being managed for their "adoptability", this means how pretty they are and beauty is in the eye of the beholder. This is what backyard breeders do. These herds should be self-sustaining, the key word here is self. Not pick the pretty one and breed it just to be breeding.
During the Pryor Mountain Roundup not to long ago they tried pairing horses. They took mares and put them with younger stallions hoping that they would pair up and breed at some point after the PZP wore off. The stallions they paired the mares to hadn't proven themselves to earn a mare. This is how the breed continues when a stallion is strong enough to take a mare. They just wanted to intervene with nature and take a pretty mare and put it with a pretty stud and hope for pretty babies. This is what we call backyard breeding. The goal wasn't to produce a foal that can survive, it wasn't to insure that any offspring would be hearty, it wasn't to improve the breed. Shoot, it wasn't even to ensure that the mare would survive because if the stallion acts foolish, as young stallions do, the mare could parish as well. Good job BLM!
Did you know that there are only about 2000 burros left in the wild? They aren't all in the same place so forget genetic viability. They are clinging onto their freedom and to survival, but they are losing out.
The BLM also fails to take into account that this has been tried before, it was called long-term holding. This plan is nothing but a glorified long term holding facility. They also tried a sanctuary once before and it was nothing but a money pit, so much so that they moved to long term holding facilities. Now they want to go back to the first problem to solve the new one? How stupid is that? Not to mention that a while back the BLM was sending horses to a ranch in Nebraska called the Three Strikes Ranch and most of us know how that ended and it wasn't well.
This plan also involves huge cost to taxpayers. It is estimated that it will cost about $96 million for 2 sanctuaries. Most range plans show that if BLM simply implemented their plans to add water resources the range could support more horses more effectively. The Pryor Mountain Range Plans show that 10 years ago it was noted that if they added 5 watering areas the range grazing would be evenly distributed. To this day the BLM has added only 2 of those water sources. In addition in other areas when volunteers have offered to provide the labor and supplies to water animals their offers have been rejected. Most notably this was in the Clarke Mountain area where the burros were fenced off from their traditional watering hole to protect the desert tortoise, the local Boy Scout troop and others volunteered to provide the water by piping it to the burros. Instead the BLM insisted that all the burros be removed. I guess the taxpayer can foot the bill to water cattle, but not the native wildlife which includes the burros and horses. I would personally donate to a plan to provide water on the range to prevent another senseless gather and I know many others would as well. They can afford to turn down those types of offers, but they can afford millions to pen them to turn them into some side of the road attraction? What about the fact that they aren't to be used commercially?
As a taxpayer this "plan" sucks, as a horse lover this plan sucks and as a person who really understands and loves the mustangs it sucks big time!
I will get off my soapbox now, although I still have lots more to say about this plan and will at some future date when I get done being sick to my stomach at the BLM plans and those that support it.
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