FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 13, 2003 WWW.USDOJ.GOV ENRD (202) 514-2007 WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Department of Justice today announced a settlement with the State of Wyoming to resolve the states claims that the Department of the Interior and Bureau of Land Management had violated provisions of the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act by failing to remove excess wild horses from public lands in Wyoming. Todays settlement provides for the removal of excess wild horses to achieve the appropriate management levels (AMLs) that have been established by the Bureau of Land Management for the herd management areas in Wyoming by Dec. 15, 2004.
Todays settlement is an example of the federal governments strong commitment to proper management of wild free-roaming horses and burros on public lands, said Assistant Attorney General Thomas L. Sansonetti. We are pleased because todays settlement will help to restore a thriving natural ecological balance to the range, and protect the range from the deterioration associated with overpopulation. The Bureau of Land Management Wyoming State Office last week announced that they successfully reached the AML for wild horses in the Adobe Town Herd Management Area, and on Aug. 12, they reached AML in the Salt Wells Creek Herd Management Area. Both areas are in southwest Wyoming. More gathers are planned for this fall.
The Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971 was enacted to provide for the management, protection and control of wild horses and burros introduced on public lands. The statute was amended by the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 and the Public Rangelands Improvement Act of 1978. Under the statute, excess wild horses that are removed from public rangelands are relocated to long-term holding sanctuaries and are made available to private owners through the Bureau of Land Managements National Wild Horse and Burro adoption program. 03-456
Source: US Department of Justice
