BLM seeks comments on analysis of wild horse herd plan and proposed gather near Worland
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WORLAND, Wyo. – The Bureau of Land Management Worland Field Office has released an environmental assessment that analyzes a proposed update to the Fifteenmile Wild Horse Herd Management Area (HMA) Plan and a proposed gather and removal of excess wild horses in the HMA. This analysis demonstrates the BLM’s commitment to maintaining healthy wild horses on healthy, productive public rangelands.
The Fifteenmile HMA is located approximately 35 miles northwest of Worland in Washakie, Big Horn and Park counties. The HMA’s current appropriate management level (AML)—the point at which the wild horse population is consistent with the land’s capacity to support it and other mandated uses of those lands—is 70–160 mature horses. The BLM estimates that the population is approaching 500 horses, including some that have moved outside the HMA boundary.
The proposed gather operation would include gathering and removing wild horses to return the population to the low range of the AML. Horses that have moved outside the HMA would also be removed. A date for the proposed gather has not yet been determined.
In addition, public comments are needed on the proposed update to the Fifteenmile HMA Plan, which will guide future management of the HMA and the wild horses within it for the next several years. The proposed plan update includes adjustments to population, habitat and monitoring objectives.
The environmental assessment is available for review and comment at http://go.usa.gov/xQrRP. Comments should be received by March 4, 2019, and may be emailed to blm_wy_fifteenmile_hma@blm.gov or mailed to Wild Horse Specialist, BLM Worland Field Office, 101 South 23rd Street, Worland, WY 82401.
When including personal identifying information with your comment, such as address, phone number or email address, be advised that it may be made publicly available at any time. The BLM cannot guarantee to withhold personal identifying information from public review.
For more information, visit http://go.usa.gov/xQrRP or contact BLM Wild Horse and Burro Specialist Cam Henrichsen at (307) 347-5100.
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.