Arizona Delegation Urges Action on Salt River Wild Horse Protection

PHOENIX - Arizona's entire congressional delegation is calling on U.S. agriculture officials to look into an ongoing effort to protect wild horses along the Salt River.

Rep. Matt Salmon's office announced that the state's nine congressional representatives sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack. The delegation is urging Vilsack to investigate why the U.S. Forest Service has not followed up on plans to consult with local stakeholders about a management plan for the horses.

In August, conservationists protested federal plans to remove and potentially auction up to 100 wild horses from the Tonto National Forest. As a result, the Forest Service halted the round-up.

Officials expressed their intention to collaborate with the Salt River Wild Horse Management Group and other stakeholders to develop an alternative strategy.

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