Public comment period is open for the Ellsworth Public Off-Range Pasture
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NORMAN, Okla. – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is proposing to enter into a contract with the Svaty Ranch, located in Ellsworth County, KS, for care and maintenance of excess wild horses removed from the public range. In accordance with the Wild Free-Roaming Horse and Burro Act of 1971, as amended, the Ellsworth Public Off-Range Pasture (PORP) would provide humane accommodations for up to 226 excess wild horses on a 1,737-acre facility, meeting the health and welfare needs of these excess wild free-roaming horses.
In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) mandate, the BLM Oklahoma Field Office conducted an evidentiary-based analysis of potential environmental impacts associated with this proposed Federal action utilizing an interdisciplinary team (IDT) approach, February 11-15, 2019. The IDT identified eight potential issues for analysis in an Environmental Assessment (EA) document, which resulted in a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI).
The draft EA (NEPA#: DOI-BLM-NM-0040-2019-0045) and unsigned FONSI will be posted on the BLM ePlanning website for public review and comment. The public is encouraged to review and provide substantive comments on the Ellsworth PORP during this open public comment period April 4-9, 2019. The public comment period will close at midnight (MDT) on April 9, 2019.
The Draft EA and unsigned FONSI are available at the following BLM website: https://eplanning.blm.gov/epl-front-office/eplanning/planAndProjectSite.do?methodName=renderDefaultPlanOrProjectSite&projectId=120866&dctmId=0b0003e881386e48
For more information on the planning process, please contact Patrick Rich, BLM Oklahoma Field Office RMP Team Lead, at (405) 579-7154.
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.