What if ‘Hopeless’ Was Born on BLM Lands?

The Draft EA for resource enforcement actions in the Calico Complex suggests that he’d have to be looking over his shoulder every day, not just during roundups (page 25 in the pdf): “BLM does euthanize old, sick or lame animals on the range when such animals have been identified.  This occurs on an on-going basis and is not limited to wild horse gathers.”

RELATED: ‘Hopeless’ Seen at Water Tanks.

Double Standards in the Wild Horse World

If you shot these horses with darts, you’d probably be charged with animal cruelty.

Not so for the PZP zealots.

They’ve denied about 600 lives this year on the Virginia Range, by their own estimation, pushing the birth rate below the death rate, assuming a 5% loss per year and initial herd size of 3,000.  It’s the downslope in this chart.

If the government took 600 wild horses off the range in a roundup, there’d be outrage.

Not so for the PZP zealots.  Herd contraction is bad, unless it’s done by them.

These people are getting rid of more wild horses than predators, motorists, drillers, miners and shooters ever could, second only to the government.

Don’t give them a penny.

RELATED: Cutting the Virginia Range Herd Down to Size.

New Virginia Range Foal 04-07-21

Decision Reached in SoCal Burro Removal Plan

The Decision Record, issued today, authorizes Alternative 1 in the Final EA, subject to a 30-day appeal period.

The initial roundup, to be carried out with helicopters, will occur in late May, according to a BLM news release.  The operation will target up to 939 animals.

The Finding of No Significant Impact, not applicable to the burros, suggests that little if any collateral damage is expected.

RELATED: Comments Invited on Draft EA for SoCal Burro Removals.

Support for Horse Heaven Wind Farm Falters on Earth Day

A survey by the Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce found 78% of respondents saying that the facility is not worth the personal, environmental and economic impacts, according to a report posted today by the FOX affiliate in Yakima, WA.

The applicant, Scout Clean Energy of Boulder, CO, went straight to the state authorities for approval, bypassing county government, fearing the locals do not want the project.

They were right.

RELATED: Another Wind Farm Coming to Horse Heaven Hills?

SJR3 Fails?

The resolution never came up for a vote and has now passed its expiration date, according to a report by The Record-Courier of Gardnerville, NV.

The overview at NELIS says no further action allowed.

The story suggests that representatives of the Campaign Against America’s Wild Horses, backers of the April 1 amendment, believe that opposition to the measure implies support for their fertility control programs.

RELATED: Refuting SJR3 or Selling PZP?

BLM Hits Pause on Sterilization Plans for Confusion HMA

Yesterday both sides in the case asked the court to stay a lawsuit regarding the government’s sterilization plans for mares in the Confusion HMA, according to an article by Law Street Media.

If approved, the BLM will have until June 21 to finalize new plans for sterilization that would not include ovariectomy via colpotomy.

Plaintiffs could pursue the lawsuit after that date if they are not satisfied with the government’s new plan.

RELATED: BLM Drops Plan for Sterilization of Confusion Mares?

Beneficiaries of WHB Grants?

To receive funding, proposals solicited earlier this week for on-range projects must align with one or more the following requirements:

  • Achieving and maintaining a thriving natural ecological balance
  • Promoting multiple use
  • Supporting authorized gathers
  • Meeting goals of resource management plans
  • Performing conservation actions related to climate change

Nobody in the wild horse world is going to participate in these efforts, except for a few of the ‘advocacy’ groups (see this example).

Proposals would likely come from farm bureaus, stock grower’s associations and public-lands ranchers, who would benefit from the program.

If the goal is to protect wild horses and burros, why not consider these themes?

  • Confining ranchers to their own property
  • Bringing the grazing fee in line with the cost of long-term holding
  • Educating consumers about range-fed beef
  • Disclosing the truth about AMLs
  • Revealing the long-term effects of fertility control programs

The total program funding is $500,000, ranging from $1,000 to $100,000 per project.

RELATED: Funding Available for WHB Protection Projects.

Land Can Only Support 04-21-21