Public Comments Must Be Received By Saturday, June 30, 2012.
Despite the small size of the herds, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is planning the massive removal of 700 wild horses from the Diamond Complex located in central Nevada. The roundup is scheduled for January 2013.
The BLM is now accepting public comments during the scoping period. This enables the public to tell the agency what issues should be addressed and what alternatives should be considered when developing an Environmental Assessment on the capture and removal plan.
According to the scoping notice, the BLM plans to permanently remove 85% of the estimated 826 wild horses (including newborn foals) in and around the three HMAs and reduce herds below the "Allowable Management Level" (AML) of 210 horses. While AWHPC supports using the safe and reversible fertility control method (PZP) for managing population growth of wild horses on the range, we oppose the proposed removal of horses from within and outside the 259-square-miles of the HMAs.
Please oppose this unnecessary action by personalizing the sample letter below and clicking the "send your message" button to submit your comments. Be sure to include your mailing address so that the BLM does not have an excuse to dismiss your comments, and please submit your comments by May 24th.
Comments concerning this project can be sent via email, electronically, or fax to the BLM Surprise Field Office at the addresses noted below. Comments must be received no later than June 30, 2012.The BLM's scoping notice on the proposed roundup and information on the HMAs within the Complexare available online.
* As of June 2012, the BLM claims that an estimated 232 wild horses are roaming outside of the Diamond Hills South HMA.
The BLM created a pictoral explanation of the Diamond Complex - what is conveniently missing are any pictures or data on livestock grazing in the Complex. To view the BLM's document on the Diamond Complex please click here.