For Immediate Release: August 2, 2007
Contact: Mel Lloyd BLM 970-244-3097

Wild horse gather scheduled for Little Book Cliffs

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo.—The Bureau of Land Management Grand Junction Field Office (GJFO) plans to remove approximately 75 horses from the Little Book Cliffs Wild Horse Range, located north of Grand Junction, starting Sept. 15, 2007.  The Friends of the Mustangs (FOM), a local wild horse volunteer group, will assist BLM with the gather and subsequent adoption of these horses.  Youth from the James P. Beckwourth Mountain Club, which mentors urban youth, are helping with set up for the gather.  GJFO previously hosted the club in 2005, teaching them about public lands stewardship.

The BLM manages the Little Book Cliffs herd to ensure a balance between horse numbers and rangeland health guided by the established Appropriate Management Level (AML), or the number of horses that can thrive on the range while maintaining a healthy plant community.  Rangeland health is determined by vegetative monitoring studies.  An increase in horse numbers has created the need for this gather, which is scheduled regularly to ensure adequate forage for sustaining a healthy herd of up to 150 horses.

As required by law, a public hearing will be held at 7 p.m., Thu. Aug. 9, at the BLM office located at 2815 H Road in Grand Junction to discuss using motorized vehicles and helicopters for this gather.   

Around 50 of the horses will be available for adoption, as well as a few burros, with bidding from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., Sat., Sept. 22, at the Mesa County Sheriff’s Posse Grounds located at 25 and F½ Roads in Grand Junction.  Horses may be viewed from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Friday evening, Sept. 21, at that location.  Applicants must be at least 18 years old and provide adopted animals with a corral at least 400 sq. ft. (20 x 20) in size with 6 ft. high fences constructed of pole, pipe or plank, as well as a shelter for protection from severe weather. 

To promote the adoption of wild horses, FOM is holding a free open house from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., on Sat., Aug. 18, at the Sheriff’s Posse Grounds.  Riders will demonstrate the potential of wild horses, as well as Parelli Natural Horsemanship Techniques.  Individuals interested in adopting a horse should visit the BLM GJFO at the above address to initiate the adoption procedure and ensure their holding facilities meet BLM requirements.  Gather activities will impact access to the Range Sept. 15-20.  Access to Coal and Main Canyons will be closed on Sept. 15.  For further information, contact Jim Dollerschell, BLM rangeland management specialist, at (970) 244-3016.

-BLM-

EDITOR’S NOTE:  Media photo ops/interviews are scheduled for September 15. Space is limited & gather schedule is contingent upon weather. Media should arrive at 6:15 a.m. & can expect to remain for >3 hours at the observation point.  Shuttle & additional guidelines will be provided.  RSVP required to Mel Lloyd by 9/12.