Arizona Governor Signs Historic Bill to Protect Salt River Wild Horses

Phoenix, AZ (May 11, 2016)– This morning, Arizona Governor Doug Ducey signed into law HB 2340, the bill to protect the famedSalt River wild horsesof the Tonto National Forest near Phoenix. Outside the State Capitol, dozens of Salt RiverWild Horse ManagementGroup (SRWHMG) members and supporters, joined by riders on horseback waving flags, are celebrating the Governor’s signing of this historic legislation.

“This is a victory for theSalt River wild horsesbut even more it is a victory for the public, which would not stand for the disposal of this cherished herd,” said Simone Netherlands, president of the Salt RiverWild Horse ManagementGroup (SRWHMG). “Our elected representatives have upheld the public’s strong desire to protect ourSalt River wild horsesand treat them as irreplaceable Arizona treasures, not stray livestock. We are deeply grateful to Governor Ducey for his support from the very beginning,” said Simone Netherlands, president of theSalt River Wild Horse Management Group.

Simone Netherlandsof SRWHMG, Gov. Ducey, and Greg Patterson (representing AWHC).

“Now the hard work begins to establish a humane management program to keepSalt River wild horseswild in cooperation with federal, state, and local authorities and the community,” Netherlands continued, noting that thelegislationincludes an enactment clause that requires the state to enter into an agreement with the Forest Service by December 31, 2017, before the new law becomes effective.

The SRWHMG has 100 active volunteers and a daily presence on the river documenting and stewarding the herd and educating the public about safe observation and protection of the horses.

“The success of this legislation to protect theSalt River wild horsesis testimony to the strength of public support for protecting and preserving wild horses on our public lands,” said Suzanne Roy, Executive Director of theAmerican Wild Horse Conservation (formerly American Wild Horse Preservation), which has worked alongside the Salt River Wild Horse Management Group to pass HB 2340. “Thank you to Governor Ducey, the Arizona Legislature – including bill sponsor Representative Kelly Townsend – and the Arizona Congressional delegation for their strong support of the belovedSalt River wild horses.”

AWHC is implementing a humane, community-based management program for the Virginia Range wild horses through a cooperative agreement with the Nevada Department of Agriculture. Like the Salt River horses, the Virginia Range horses lack federal protection but enjoy broad public support.

HB 2340 criminalizes harassment or killing of a Salt River wild horse, clarifies that they are not straylivestock, and establishes a process for implementing a humane management program in cooperation with federal, state, and local agencies and a private entity.

The bill cleared its last legislative hurdle last week and was signed into law by Gov. Ducey at 10 a.m. this morning.

TheSalt River Wild Horse Management Groupis an Arizona non-profit organization established to protect, monitor, and scientifically study theSalt River Wild Horses. The SRWHMG has been spearheading the effort to secure lasting protections for this iconic and beloved wild horse herd in the Tonto National Forest.

TheAmerican Wild Horse Conservation (formerly American Wild Horse Preservation)(AWHC) is dedicated to defending America’s wild horses and burros to protect their freedom, preserve their habitat, and promote humane standards of treatment. AWHC’s mission is endorsed by a coalition of more than 60 horse advocacy, public interest, and conservation organizations.

More Information:

• Governor Ducey's Statement

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