MEEKER I The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will host a public hearing and scoping meeting on March 1 in Meeker for a proposed wild horse gather this year in the Piceance-East Douglas Herd Management Area (HMA).
The public hearing will begin at 5:30 p.m. at the BLM White River Field Office (WRFO), 220 East Market St. The hearing will specifically address the use of motorized vehicles and helicopters to gather wild horses from the Piceance-East Douglas HMA, North Piceance Herd Area (HA), and areas outside HMA.
Once the public hearing is concluded, the BLM will follow with a scoping meeting for the public to address issues of concern in the preparation of an Environmental Assessment (EA) for this proposed wild horse gather. The scoping meeting will be an opportunity for the public to identify issues to be addressed in the EA before BLM begins drafting the final document. If the BLM decides to move forward with the gather, it will not take place before June 15, to avoid peak foaling season.
Attendance at these meetings is not required to submit scoping comments to BLM. Comments can also be sent via mail to the BLM, White River Field Office, 220 East Market St., Meeker, Colo., 81641. Comments can be sent to [email protected]. Please note in the subject line of either the mail or the e-mail White River HMA Scoping Comments. Scoping comments must be received no later than March 4.