Ely District Office
| Contacts: | Chris Hanefeld | , (775) 289-1842 | , chris_hanefeld@nv.blm.gov |
BLM Defers Proposed Eagle HMA Gather
Ely, Nevada – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has determined there is not adequate time to safely conduct the proposed Eagle Herd Management Area (HMA) gather prior to the beginning of foaling season, and therefore, will defer issuing a decision on the proposed gather until later this year after the foaling season.
BLM will conduct further environmental analysis at that time and will extend additional opportunities for public comment prior to issuing a decision to address removal of excess wild horses from the Eagle HMA. On December 28, 2009, the BLM issued a preliminary environmental assessment (EA) proposing to gather excess wild horses from the Eagle HMA during the month of February 2010. More than 9,000 public comments were submitted following a 30-day comment period.
The preliminary EA also included a proposal to gather approximately 50 wild horses that have moved outside of the Eagle and Silver King Herd Management Areas (HMA) and that are threatening the safety of motorists along U.S. Highway 93 near Pioche, Nev. The BLM is aware of at least three animals that have been hit by vehicles during the past year.
BLM is currently considering options for gathering these horses outside HMA boundaries. BLM anticipates issuing a decision in the next week addressing removal of wild horses along the highway to address the potential risks to the public and to the horses.
For more information, contact Chris Hanefeld, BLM Ely District public affairs specialist, at (775) 289-1842 or chris_hanefeld@blm.gov.
The BLM manages more land - over 245 million acres - than any other Federal agency. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The Bureau, with a budget of about $1 billion, also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. The BLM's multiple-use mission is to sustain the health and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. The Bureau accomplishes this by managing such activities as outdoor recreation, livestock grazing, mineral development, and energy production, and by conserving natural, historical, cultural, and other resources on public lands.