UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT
AND
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
FOREST SERVICE

NATIONAL WILD HORSE AND BURRO ADVISORY BOARD
CHARTER

1. OFFICIAL DESIGNATION: Wild Horse and Burro Advisory Board.

2. BOARD OBJECTIVES AND SCOPE: Assist and advise the Secretary of the Interior, through the Director of the Bureau of Land Ma0nagement (BLM), and the Secretary of Agriculture, through the Chief of the Forest Service, on wild horse and burro policy formulation and oversight of the Wild Horse and Burro (WH&B) Program administered under the provisions of the Wild Free‑Roaming Horses and Burros Act (16 U.S.C. 1331-1340) (“Act”).

3. PERIOD OF TIME NECESSARY FOR THE BOARD'S ACTIVITIES:
Since its functions are related principally to the application of the Act and associated policies, programs, and regulations, the need for the Board is expected to continue indefinitely. However, Board continuation will be subject to biennial review and renewal as required by Section 14(a)(2) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.).

4. OFFICIALS TO WHOM THE BOARD REPORTS: The Secretary of the Interior, through the Director of the BLM, and the Secretary of Agriculture, through the Chief of the Forest Service.

5. ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT: Administrative support for activities of the Board will be provided by the BLM.

6. DUTIES OF THE BOARD: At the request of the Director of the BLM or an authorized representative, and in an advisory capacity only, the Board will gather and analyze information and consider public comments in order to offer advice and develop recommendations for the Secretary of the Interior, the Director of the BLM, the Secretary of Agriculture, and the Chief of the Forest Service on matters pertaining to management and protection of wild free‑roaming horses and burros and related matters.

Specifically, the Board may be directed to:

1. Review current and proposed management policies on the protection, management, control of wild horses and burros, the disposition of excess wild horses and burros, and recommend appropriate changes that will facilitate these actions;
2. Review current program guidance and procedures and advise BLM and Forest Service as to whether they are effective for implementing program policy;
3. Conduct public meetings or conferences to ascertain the views of the scientific community, humane groups, the conservation community, ranchers, and other affected interests;
4. Advise BLM and Forest Service on ways to stimulate public and private participation to facilitate the adoption process and to provide for humane care for animals determined to be unadoptable;
5. Advise BLM and Forest Service on ways to foster cooperation and provide liaison among Federal, state, tribal, and local governments, private organizations and affected interests, humane groups, the scientific community, and others;
6. Assist the BLM and Forest Service in assessing the scientific basis for managing populations of wild horses and burros; and
7. At the end of the 2‑year charter period, compile a written report to the Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture highlighting the results of its deliberations and make recommendations concerning major policy issues as requested by Director of the BLM and Chief of the Forest Service.

7. ETHICS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF MEMBERS: No Board or subcommittee member shall participate in any specific party matter including a lease, license, permit, contract, claim agreement or related litigation with the Department in which the member has a direct financial interest. In addition, the Department of the Interior will provide materials to those members appointed as Special Government Employees, explaining their ethical obligations with which the members should be familiar. Consistent with the ethics requirements, members will endeavor to avoid any actions that would cause the public to question the integrity of the Boards operations, activities, or advice. The provisions of this paragraph do not affect any other statutory or regulatory ethical obligations to which a member may be subject.

8. BOARD COMPOSITION, SELECTION, AND SERVICE:

1. The Board will have no more than nine members. Members will be appointed and serve at the pleasure of the Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture.
2. The Secretary of the Interior will designate one of the members as Chair.
3. Members will be representatives from among, but not limited to the following organizations.
   1. wild horse and burro advocacy groups;
   2. wild horse and burro research institutions (especially genetics and population biology);
   3. veterinary medicine (equine science);
   4. natural resources management organizations (especially rangeland science)
   5. humane advocacy groups;
   6. wildlife management organizations;
   7. livestock management organizations; or
   8. general public (with special knowledge about protection of wild horses and burros, management of wildlife, animal husbandry, or natural resource management).
   Each member will be a person who, as a result of training and/or experience, has knowledge or special expertise that qualifies him or her to provide a perspective in the above categories.
4. Board members will be appointed to serve 3‑year term.
5. All members will serve without salary, but will be reimbursed for travel and per diem expenses at current rates for government employees in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 5703.

9. MEETINGS:

1. The Board will meet no fewer than two times annually. Additional meetings may be called by the Director of the BLM in connection with special needs for advice.
2. At the Chair’s discretion, the Board recommendations may be decided by consensus or voting. The Board will not take positions on issues, or offer advice or recommendation with fewer than five of its members voting in support thereof.

10. SUBCOMMITTEES: The Chair may select subcommittees, composed of at least two members of the Board and the Designated Federal Official, to examine issues related to the Wild Horse and Burro Program and report back to the Board for its deliberation and decision. The reports and recommendations of the subcommittee will be presented at one of the regular public meetings of the Board, and announced in the meeting’s Federal Register notice.

11. ESTIMATED OPERATING COSTS: Activities of the Board will require an estimated $120,000 (including 1 person year of Federal employee support) annually.

12. TERMINATION DATE: The Board charter will expire 2 years from the date this charter is filed unless, prior to that date, it is renewed by the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture in accordance with the provisions of Section 14(a)(2) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act. The Board will not meet or take any official action without a valid current charter.

13. ADDITIONAL BLM REGULATIONS: The BLM is subject to additional standards and procedures for the creation, operation, and termination of BLM advisory committees. Refer to the 1995 BLM regulations (43 C.F.R. subsection 1784) for specific regulations regarding: composition (1784.2-1): avoidance of conflict of interest (1784.2-2): calls for nominations (1784.4-1); notice of meetings (1784.4-2); open meetings (1784.4-3); and records (1784.5-3).

13. AUTHORITY: The Wild Horse and Burro Advisory Board is established pursuant to Section 7 (16 U.S.C. 1337) of the Wild Free‑Roaming Horses and Burros Act (16 U.S.C. 1331-1340).