The case was disclosed on October 18 by KLAS News but the article did not include a link to the complaint.
Yesterday The Nevada Independent covered the story and provided a link. If you can’t access the document click here.
The plaintiffs allege that the federal government determined that wild horse overpopulation existed within the Stone Cabin Complex and that removal of excess animals was necessary but did not act in a timely manner.
They pointed to §1333(b)(2) in the WHB Act (16 USC 30) which directs the government to immediately remove excess animals to achieve appropriate management levels and restore a thriving ecological balance.
They further allege that they’ve taken up to 56% suspension of AUMs on the allotments to achieve standards for rangeland health.
The plaintiffs asked the court to declare any off-site conditions impeding the timely removal of wild horses to be irrelevant, such as funding, scheduling, contractor availability and space in the off-range corrals, and to compel the implementation of the new pest control plan subject only to on-site conditions as the court deems appropriate.
The Operator Information and Allotment Information Reports at RAS tie the plaintiffs to the following BLM authorizations and allotments:
- COLVIN & SON LLC: 2706100, WAGON JOHNNIE and STONE CABIN
- STONE CABIN RANCH LLC: 2706117, HUNTS CANYON, WILLOW CREEK and STONE CABIN
These parcels are mentioned in Paragraphs 10 and 12 of the complaint.
Paragraph 10 also indicates that Colvin & Son have grazing privileges on the Little Fish Lake and Wagon Johnnie Allotments in the Humboldt-Toiyabe NF.
Paragraph 12 indicates that Stone Cabin Ranch has grazing preference on the Monitor Complex, Stone Cabin and Saulsbury Allotments in said forest.
Those allotments are not covered by RAS and do not appear in the National Data Viewer, but the forage allocations, livestock types and seasons of use can be found in the AOIs (Colvin & Son | Stone Cabin Ranch).
The Forest Service allotments can be seen in the Western Watersheds map.
Although the plaintiffs claim they have cooperated with federal agencies to achieve applicable standards for rangeland health, the Allotment Master Report puts all of their allotments in the Improve category (Colvin & Son | Stone Cabin Ranch).
A ruling in favor of the plaintiffs would throw the wild horse and burro program into chaos.
As of today, the Stone Cabin Complex is not in the FY24 roundup schedule.
RELATED: Stone Cabin Decision Published.
Western Horse Watchers Association 