BLM NEWS RELEASE:
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Carson City District-Stillwater Field Office, is scheduled to begin gathering up to 167 wild horses from the Garfield Flat Herd Management Area (HMA) starting on approximately October 16, 2009.
The Garfield Flat HMA is located 10 miles southeast of Hawthorne, Nev. The topography of the HMA ranges from flat valleys through mountainous terrain and contains approximately 141,800 acres of public and private land within the Carson City District-Stillwater Field Office.
The regularly scheduled 4-8 day gather is being conducted to achieve the “thriving natural ecological balance,” mandated by the Wild Free-Roaming Horse and Burro Act of 1971, and to prevent undue and unnecessary degradation of public land as outlined in the Federal Land Policy & Management Act of 1976.
Approximately 250 wild horses currently roam the HMA (2008 census). Appropriate Management Level (AML) has been established through a public planning process at 83-125 wild horses. The gather is in compliance with all federal, state and local laws, regulations and associated planning documents.
All horses removed will be placed in BLM’s wild horse and burro adoption program.
For more information, please contact Mark Struble, BLM Public Affairs Officer, (775) 885-6107.
