BLM seeks public comment on Wild Horse Gather preliminary environmental assessment

SUBMITTED NEWS RELEASE

ELY, Nev. – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Schell Field Office has released the preliminary environmental assessment for the Eagle Herd Management Area (HMA) Wild Horse Gather. The BLM is proposing to reduce the herd size to approximately 100 animals, to maintain a thriving natural ecological balance among wild horse populations, wildlife and livestock. The BLM invites the public to review the document and will accept comments through Jan. 27, 2010.

The appropriate management level (AML) for the Eagle HMA is 100 to 210 wild horses.
There are an estimated 595 wild horses in the HMA. The BLM is proposing to gather and remove approximately 495 excess wild horses from the Eagle HMA, which is located in eastern Lincoln County, about 50 miles southeast of Ely. The BLM also plans to gather 50 wild horses that reside outside the HMA. The gather is scheduled to begin in February.

The gather is needed to protect the range from further deterioration associated with overpopulation of wild horses. By removing excess animals, the BLM will be able to improve vegetation, habitat, watershed health, and to make significant progress toward achieving Mojave-Southern Great Basin Resource Advisory Council standards for rangeland health. The BLM will collect information on herd characteristics and determine herd health during the gather.

The Eagle Herd Management Area Wild Horse Gather Preliminary Environmental Assessment is available at http://www.blm.gov/nv/. Click on the Ely District map and then click on Eagle Herd Management Area Wild Horse Gather Preliminary Environmental Assessment under “In the Spotlight.” Paper copies are available at the BLM Ely District Office, 702 North Industrial Way, in Ely.

Comments will be accepted for 30 days until Wednesday, Jan 27, 2010. Interested individuals should mail written comments to the BLM Ely District Office, HC 33 Box 33500, Ely, NV 89301 attn: Mary D’Aversa, Schell Field Manager or send an e-mail to: [email protected].

For more information, contact Ben Noyes, BLM Ely District wild horse and burro specialist, at (775) 289-1800.