State Wildlife Board Criticizes BLM's Wild Horse Management

SALT LAKE CITY — The State Wildlife Board has voiced its concerns over the federal government's management of wild horses in Utah, highlighting the excessive numbers and the resulting environmental impact.

In a unanimous decision, the board agreed to send a strongly worded letter to Juan Palma, director of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in Utah, and Interior Secretary Sally Jewell. The letter urges the agency to take action to reduce the number of horses on the range.

Kevin Bunnell, regional supervisor with the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, noted that Iron, Beaver, and Sanpete counties have formally requested the board's input on rangeland degradation and its risks tolivestockand wildlife.

Wild horse numbers have surpassed their "appropriate" management levels perBLMpolicy, creating conflicts with ranchers and sportsmen. In April, Iron and Beaver counties threatened to take independent action amid a national controversy over a Nevada rancher's cattle facing removal by theBLMdue to unpaid grazing fees.

Utah ranchers in Beaver and Iron counties are frustrated by the agency's request last September to voluntarily reduce their cattle numbers due to its inability to manage wild horse populations.

TheBLMreports that horses and burros number 3,245 in Utah, while the "appropriate management levels" are set at 1,956.

Worthen stated that horses in the Bible Springs complex number about 500 or more, whileBLMherd management levels suggest these populations should not exceed 180 animals.

Although theBLMhopes to conduct a wild horse gather after July, Worthen and others urged the wildlife board to press the agency to act due to the dire condition of the rangeland.

Bateman and others emphasized that beyond impacts to ranchers, the horses are destroying prime rangeland, affecting all the animals the ecosystem is supposed to support.

Bair recounted his recent visit to the southwest desert, where he was shocked by the conditions.

Bair added that the board should not hesitate to make a statement, given its efforts to manage wildlife populations at appropriate levels.

BLMspokeswoman Megan Crandall acknowledged the growing problem of too many wild horses in Utah, exacerbated by consecutive years of drought.

Originally Posted By Salt Lake Tribune