BLM issues decision on wild horse gathers and fertility control treatments in the Piceance-East Douglas Herd Management Area

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BLM

BLM Office:

White River Field Office

Media Contact:

MEEKER, Colo.The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) White River Field Office signed a decision to gather and remove excess wild horses from the Piceance-East Douglas Herd Management Area in northwestern Colorado.

“The BLM is committed to sustaining an ecological balance in the Piceance-East Douglas HMA,” said White River Field Manager Kent Walter. “Our goal is to have healthy horses on healthy rangelands.”

The appropriate management level in the HMA is 135-235 horses. Current estimates place the herd population at 838 wild horses. As part of the decision, helicopter and/or bait trapping methods may be used for gather operations. Fertility treatments will be used to curb annual herd population growth.

The decision and its associated documents are available online at https://go.usa.gov/x7fcQ. Appeals to the decision will be accepted over the next 30 days and must be submitted in writing to: Field Manager, BLM White River Field Office, 220 East Market St., Meeker, CO 81641.

For information about the BLM’s Wild Horse and Burro Program, visit https://www.blm.gov/programs/wild-horse-and-burro.

-BLM-


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.