Senate Approves Corolla Wild Horses Protection Bill

The U.S.Senatehas signed off onlegislationdesigned to keep the Corolla wild horses roaming the Currituck Outer Banks for decades to come. This significant step ensures the preservation of these iconic horses, which are a vital part of North Carolina's heritage and a major tourist attraction.

Under the Corolla Wild Horses Protection Act approved last month, a herd of no more than 130 free-roaming wild horses will be allowed in and around the Currituck National Wildlife Refuge. Thelegislationdirects the U.S. Secretary of the Interior to enter into an agreement with the Corolla Wild Horse Fund, the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Currituck County, and the state of North Carolina to manage the wild horse population and ensure the natural resources inside the refuge are not adversely affected.

Both of North Carolina’s U.S. senators hailed the bill’s passage.

Taylor Holgate, Burr’s press secretary, said the bill will now go to a conference of House members and senators where changes are possible. Once terms of the bill are agreed to, it will go to President Barack Obama for his signature.

Currituck Board of Commissioners Chairman David Griggs said he was pleased the bill had passed theSenate. The bill was first introduced in the U.S. House by U.S. Rep. Walter B. Jones Jr., R-N.C., in January 2013 and passed that June.

Griggs noted that the Corolla wild horses are Currituck’s second-biggest tourist attraction and reflect a part of the county’s history that needs to be preserved. The horses’ lineage can be traced back to the arrival of Spanish explorers on the Outer Banks in the 16th century.

Management of the herd will come at no cost to taxpayers because it will be the responsibility of the Corolla Wild Horse Fund.

Karen McCalpin, the fund’s executive director, applauded Burr and Tillis’ efforts in getting the bill passed in theSenate.

Originally posted by Daily Advance