Public comment sought on horse roundup

RBC I The Bureau of Land Management is seeking public comment on a preliminary environmental assessment concerning the partial gathering of wild horses on the Book Cliffs, north of Grand Junction.
The BLM proposes the removal of no more than 50 wild horses this fall to improve range conditions for remaining horses and other species requiring forage. Bait and water trapping is the primary gather method proposed but other methods haven’t been ruled out.
The BLM has an established appropriate management level of 90 to 150 horses for the Little Book Cliffs Wild Horse Range.
Current numbers place herd populations at approximately 155 horses. The range can expect to see an increase in population by 15 percent per year through reproduction. Fertility controls are being used on the range, but current herd numbers require a gather to ensure range health.
“Removing a few wild horses at this time will ensure we are maintaining a healthy wild horse population on healthy rangelands,” said Jerome Fox, the BLM’s Northwest Colorado District Wild Horse and Burro specialist.
There will be a public hearing at 6 p.m. on July 9 at the BLM Grand Junction Field Office to address the use of motorized vehicles and aircraft while managing wild horses and burros.
Before completing an environmental assessment, the BLM wants to hear any specific issues, concerns or comments the public has about this proposal. The environmental assessment will also be made available for an additional public review period once it is drafted.
Written comments and questions on the proposal should be directed to the Grand Junction Field Office, 2815 H Road, Grand Junction, Colo. 81506. Comments may also be submitted via email at [email protected]. Comments will be most helpful if received by July 17.
Before including address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in a comment, be advised that the entire comment — including personal identifying information — may be made publicly available at any time. While persons may request in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information, we cannot guarantee that will happen.