Bible Springs Complex wild horse gather set to begin
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CEDAR CITY, Utah—As part of its mission to manage public lands for multiple uses, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will be removing excess wild horses from areas within and outside the Bible Springs Complex in Iron and Beaver counties beginning Jan. 30.
“The BLM is committed to maintaining a healthy wild horse population and healthy rangelands in the Bible Springs Complex Herd Management Area,” said BLM Cedar City Field Manager Paul Briggs. “By reducing the current population numbers, we are ensuring enough food and water is available for the remaining wild horses, while at the same time protecting public rangeland resources and reducing conflicts with private land owners.”
The Bible Springs Complex encompasses the Blawn Wash, Four Mile, Bible Springs, and Tilly Creek Herd Management Areas (HMA). The current wild horse population estimate in the Bible Springs Complex is approximately 711 animals and the BLM plans to gather and remove 350 wild horses from State, private and BLM-managed lands. Animals removed from the range will be available for adoption through BLM’s Wild Horse and Burro Adoption Program. Those that are not adopted will be cared for in contracted off-range corrals and pastures.
The public is welcome to observe daily operations through BLM escorted tours – provided the safety of the animals, staff and observers are not jeopardized – and operations are not disrupted. Observers must provide their own transportation, water and food. No public restrooms will be available. The BLM recommends weather appropriate footwear and neutral-colored clothing. Binoculars and four-wheel drive, high clearance vehicles are also strongly recommended. Those interested in participating should meet at the Maverik Adventure’s First Stop, 220 North Airport Rd in Cedar City, Utah, where tours will depart at 5:30 a.m. MST. Details will be announced daily on the BLM gather hotline, (801) 539-4050.
Visitors and observers to the gather area should be aware that low flying helicopters will be used as part of the operation. Flying Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (drones) near the Wah Wah and Indian Peak Mountain ranges will be prohibited during the gather. Brief road closures may also be needed to allow movement of horses during gather operations.
All horses gathered are tentatively scheduled to be shipped to the Delta Wild Horse Facility and Axtell Off-Range Contract Facility. The Delta facility will be closed starting Jan. 29 through Feb. 20 to allow the horses to settle before being prepped for adoption. The Axtell facility is a contract facility that is privately owned and closed to the public.
Gather updates and information will be posted at: https://go.usa.gov/xnp84. Anyone interested can get updates on Twitter by following @BLMUtah or searching #BSCGather. To learn more about the wild horse and burro program or to obtain an adoption application, visit the BLM National Wild Horse and Burro website at: http://on.doi.gov/2h11lDS.
Details on the Environmental Assessment for this gather can be found at: https://go.usa.gov/xnp8j .
For more information, contact Public Affairs Specialist Lisa Reid at (435)743-3128 or lreid@blm.gov. Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1-800-877-8339 to leave a messageor question for Reid. The FRS is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Replies are provided during normal business hours.
The BLM manages more than 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.