BLM Seeks Initial Input on Analysis of Wild Horse and Burro Management Tools
The Bureau of Land Management is asking for public comments on an environmental review that looks at humane, science‑based ways to manage wild horse and burro herds on public lands. As of March 2026, the agency estimates these herds are more than three times larger than what the land can sustainably support alongside wildlife, livestock and other approved uses.
The BLM manages and protects wild horses and burros across 25.5 million acres of public lands in 10 Western states to maintain healthy herds and healthy rangelands. With few natural predators, herds grow quickly and can place pressure on limited forage and water resources, requiring BLM to take non-lethal action to prevent damage to the range and reduce the risk of starvation and thirst in wild horse and burro herds.
The assessment will analyze and compare a range of management alternatives to reduce overpopulation and slow growth, including gather and fertility control methods, to improve how the BLM manages and protects herd and land health. It will provide a consistent analytical foundation for future management decisions, improve transparency, and help better protect animal and rangeland health while reducing redundant review and cost.
The assessment will not authorize any new actions directly. Instead, it will streamline the National Environmental Policy Act process by providing baseline analysis for future site-specific reviews, ensuring those analyses can focus more on local conditions while maintaining rigorous environmental standards. This approach is intended to reduce unnecessary delays and redundant analyses, lower costs to taxpayers, and improve outcomes for wild horse and burro herds and public lands.
The BLM is seeking initial input on the scope of issues and alternatives that should be considered. Early feedback is valuable in shaping a well‑informed environmental assessment. Additional information is available at the BLM National NEPA Register, where comments may be submitted through the “Participate Now” option until July 2, 2026.
Learn more about the BLM Wild Horse and Burro Program.
The BLM manages about 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.