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Issue: Restore Our American Mustangs Act (Part Two)
Key Features of the Bill.
There is a great deal being said about the Restore Our American Mustangs bill, much of it by people who either haven't read the bill or represent special interest positions. Here are the key areas that the bill addresses.
Aside from strengthening language that prohibits converting wild horses and burros to "commercial products" (e.g., table meat,) the bill...
- Places stricter requirements on BLM.
- Reinforces premise that horses are to be managed with consideration for other animals including wildlife and livestock, and other public lands uses.
- Requires BLM to accurately "inventory" wild horses, other grazing animals and resources.
- Requires additional training and expertise on the part of personnel who manage wild horses and wild horse ranges.
- Requires BLM to pursue various proactive management techniques, not just rely on horse removals for management.
- Allows BLM to reintroduce horses in areas where they were removed, but under stricter standards.
- Allows BLM to enter into cooperative agreements with landowners and other "private parties" to address deficiencies in its program.
- Places additional emphasis and requirements on BLM's adoption program.
- Requires BLM to apply management standards consistently across all the ranges for which it is responsible.
- Strengthens requirements for BLM to report to Congress and to the public on its management approaches, achieving of objectives and safety of its program.
Common misstatements (lies) about the bill.
- CLAIM: The bill will create a flood of horses back into Nevada and other western ranges.
FACT: The bill does require BLM to reestablish the original aggregate acreage designated by Congress in 1971 for use by wild horses, but all new introductions or reintroductions of horses shall be in accordance with stricter standards and definitions that pertain to maintaining a "thriving ecological balance." In reality, any new or reopened horse ranges will be subject to higher ecological and proactive management standards than presently apply to existing horse ranges.
- CLAIM: The bill will open the flood gates for BLM to place horses on private lands.
FACT: Under current law BLM can enter into agreements to place horses on private lands. Currently some 33,000 horses live on private lands. What the bill actually does is extend the same requirements for environmental protection and thriving ecological balance to contract rangelands, "sanctuaries" and "exclusive use areas" as would apply to public lands.
- CLAIM: The bill would eliminate use of aircraft (helicopters) in horse gathers.
FACT: The bill still permits use of aircraft. What the bill will require is scientifically based justification for air gathers and full accountability, including posting injury and fatality statistics on a web site that is accessible by the public, in order that horse gathers are conducted in the safest manner practical.
Elements where the bill could be improved.
- If Congress recognizes the need to overhaul the management of free-roaming horses and burros on Federal public lands, these more strict and uniform standards should apply to all horses and burros on Federal lands, not just be limited to the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service. Having one coherent management plan and one agency tasked with the hands-on responsibility for humanely and effectively managing horse populations will provide the consistency desired by Congress and should eventually save money though eliminations of duplicate, and in some instances ineffective and/or inefficient programs.
- The current bill includes language citing examples of "terminally injured or fatally ill" that clearly have no basis in veterinary science. These specific examples (e.g., clubbed feet and worn teeth) should be struck and replaced with language charging a qualified veterinarian with making such determinations.
- While it is implied in Section 7, "Cooperative Agreements," that agreements with non-profits would be included in "other private entities," however the specific inclusion of "qualified nonprofit entities" would eliminate possible confusion or "misinterpretation" of this section down the road.
What you can do
- Learn the facts!
- Contact your Senators!
Urge them to read the bill and support much needed change in the management of America's
wild free-roaming horses and burros.
You can find information on how to contact your Senators at the
U.S. Senate website.
- Help advocate for change!
Understand the issues. Spread the word. Help share real knowledge. Help get the best possible version of this bill passed.
Supporting Documents
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