RIDGECREST, Calif. -The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Ridgecrest Field Office proposes to gather and remove for adoption or sale up to 939 wild burros from the Centennial, Panamint, and Slate Range Herd Areas to address resource impacts and reduce the risk of burro-vehicle collisions.
“The excess in the wild burro population has damaged riparian habitat and impacted resources in and around the three herd areas and along roadways," said Carl Symons Ridgecrest Field Manager. “Balancing the needs of resources and public safety by reducing the population is imperative and can provide benefits to the health of the Centennial, Panamint and Slate Range herds."
The proposed gather would remove excess burros using a variety of methods including helicopter-assisted and bait trapping. Gathered animals would be transported to the BLM’s Ridgecrest Regional Wild Horse and Burro Corrals where they will be prepared for adoption or sale.
Release of today’s Environmental Assessment which analyzes the proposed action begins a 30-day comment period. Comments must be received by April 15 and will be available for review online at https://go.usa.gov/xs7K7. Members of the public may submit comments to blm_ca_ri_burrogather@blm.gov; via ePlanning; or by fax at 760-384-5499.
The proposed project supports the BLM’s continuing efforts to provide public safety, improve the status of endangered species and manage wild burro populations under the land use plan decisions of the California Desert Conservation Area Plan of 1980 and associated amendments.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act, which was passed unanimously by Congress and signed into law on Dec. 15, 1971. To learn more about the value of wild horses and burros as enduring symbols of our national heritage visit: blm.gov/whb/50years.
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management
