BLM Report to Congress Suggests Euthanasia for Wild Horses

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has submitted a long-awaited report toCongress, outlining potential strategies for managing wild horses and burros on public lands. Among the options, the report suggests the possibility of euthanasia, sparking significant debate among wild horse advocates and lawmakers.

Report Overview

The report presents four management options without endorsing any specific one. It diverges from President Trump's $1.1 billion fiscal 2019 budget request, which proposed reducing wild horse and burro populations by facilitating transfers to other agencies and euthanizing older or infirm animals.

An advance copy of the 45-pagereportwas obtained by E&E News. The report is scheduled for delivery toCongresstoday, as noted in an email from Mark Brown,BLM's legislative affairs specialist, to congressional staffers.

Congressional Request and BLM's Response

Congressrequested the report last year, criticizing the agency in the fiscal 2018 omnibus spending bill for not providing a comprehensive plan promptly (Greenwire, March 22).

BLMhas been seekingsolutionsto the issue of growing herd sizes for years. Currently, over 75,000 wild horses and burros roam approximately 27 million acres of federal herd management areas, exceeding the appropriate management level by nearly 50,000 animals.

Proposed Options and Implications

The report requestsCongressto evaluate each option and advise on the most suitable tools for addressing this urgent challenge. The first option involves selling, transferring, or euthanizing animals, withBLMarguing that this could help achieve appropriate population levels within eight years.

BLMcalls forCongressto lift prohibitions in appropriations bills that restrict euthanasia and limit animal sales, as authorized by the Wild Free-Roaming Horse and Burro Act of 1971. This would enableBLMto sell excess animals without limitation and, if necessary, euthanize them humanely and cost-effectively.

This approach would allowBLMto focus on placing excess horses and burros into private care through adoptions and sales, including international sales for agricultural, law enforcement, and park management purposes. Animals not adopted or sold would be euthanized, and permanent sterilization methods would be increased.

The report suggests that this strategy could significantly reduce the number of wild horses and burros in holding facilities, whereBLMcurrently spends over $50 million annually—about two-thirds of the Wild Horse and Burro Program budget—on their care.

Financial and Environmental Considerations

BLMhas previously warnedCongressthat lifetime care for these animals could cost up to $1 billion. The report indicates that implementing this option could begin by fiscal 2021, following necessary analyses under the National Environmental Policy Act and resource management planning.

This option aims to achieve appropriate management levels across all herd-management areas by 2028, with decreasing annual appropriations. It also predicts improved range conditions and reduced likelihood of animals straying outside HMAs.

Option 1 aligns with recommendations fromBLM's National Wild Horse and Burro Advisory Board, which suggested removing and potentially destroying excess animals that the Western rangelands can no longer support.

Opposition and Alternative Options

Euthanasia is strongly opposed by wild horse advocates and several Congressional Democrats. Other options in the report include significantly increasing funding forBLM's program and boosting horse gathers.

Originally posted by E&E News