by Steven Long, Author and Editor of Horseback Magazine
BLM holding corral at Paiute Meadows - Photo by Willis Lamb
HOUSTON , (Horseback) – The federal Bureau of Land Management has released the name of a Nevada landowner who is cooperating with the agency in its roundup of more than 2,000 horses in the remote badlands of that arid state.
Horseback Magazine repeatedly asked for the name of the landowner, Greg Foster, who is cooperating with BLM on the gather. The agency claims the wild horses it is stampeding with a low flying helicopter are in mountainous terrain. Spokesmen say that the bureau is only setting up a holding pen and storing equipment on Foster’s property. Since press and public have been barred from witnessing the “gather” except in tightly controlled “media days,” there is no way to independently determine if the BLM is herding wild horses found on the landowner’s property.
The agency claims the horses are driven from the Nevada highlands into the pen set up on Foster’s property.
The BLM has refused to release any more information about the landowner other than his name. A search has produced numerous Nevadans named Greg Foster. An agency spokeswoman claimed the information is protected by the federal privacy act, however, details regarding federal contractors who are not engaged in national security work are generally readily available as public record. Horseback has asked for the information under the federal Freedom of Information Act. Horseback has also asked if Foster is reimbursing the federal government for removing horses from his property.
The roundup was ordered by Nevada BLM officials with the approval of Director Bob Abbey. It has sparked protests and demonstrations nationwide. It has also prompted celebrities such as Willie Nelson, the Barbie Twins, Cheryl Crow, and comedian Bill Maher to call on President Obama to call off the capture.
One horse has reportedly died in the roundup.
In 2008, 45 percent of the roundups resulted in at least one fatality, and on another roundup in Nevada, 27 horses died. The total number of deaths through injury or for other reasons totaled 126 animals last year.
The percentage of dead horses on BLM roundups this year is slightly worse at 46 percent resulting in at least one horse death. In July, a Wyoming gather proved fatal to 11 horses. Through September of this year, 79 horses have died as the agency rushes to clear wild horses from the West.
Over the last two years a total of 205 horses have died at the agency’s hands during its “gathers” to thin the herds despite the almost 260 million acres of vacant land managed by BLM.
Wild horse advocates claim the BLM roundups are genetically bankrupting the herds to the point of extinction.
The horse habitat set aside by the 1971 Free Roaming Wild Horse and Burro Act is coveted by ranchers for grazing land who sign leases at fire sale prices of $1.35 per cow per month.
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Categories: Horse News, Wild Horses/Mustangs
Straight from the Horse's Heart 
I don’t know if this has been posted yet, but I ran across it this morning. Quick overview of the Calico Roundup by Craig and Willis. Its location is Paiute Meadows
http://arizona1-aahsbloggingupdates.blogspot.com/2010/01/preliminary-report-from-calico-round-up.html
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Linda, What is good about this report is Willis is after BLM to get the long term holding horses back on the range and relieve the ‘economic crisis’ they created with the entire fiasco. We need to use this as a wedge to get those horses out of holding. This year we need Plans and the ability to counter BLM at every point with a better and more economical alternative. By saving holding horses and returning them we hold onto more of the horses lands, also. Mar
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I think the idea of promoting tourism to see the horses in their NATURAL habitat is a very good one. We can counter Salazar’s idiotic plan with one that would actually work to everyone’s benefit.
Of course, I don’t believe Salazoo ever actually intended to carry out his plan. If he did, he’s too dumb to come in outta the rain – okay, so he IS dumb. But THAT dumb…
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Please read the report Linda has linked to. Mar
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R.T., May we use stats or quotes from Mr. Long’s article? I’d like to use statistics about horse deaths. Thanks- excellent writing.
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Steve is a professional and always checks his facts, he is spot on so please, I am sure that he would be pleased to know that his stats are of value to you.
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Thank you Linda H for the link to the blog report by Willis Lamm. It contains some good and some bad information, depending on your point of view, I guess!
Does anybody know if Craig Downer will be preparing a report for the public?
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Just copoed this directly from BLM web. There is more on this page- booklets on how to use the program –
Cloud Foundation or anyone else know about or tried to use this program? =
Collaborative Stakeholder Engagement and Appropriate Dispute Resolution (ADR) Program
Collaborative stakeholder engagement and appropriate dispute resolution (ADR) processes have been recognized by the federal government as key for facing the challenges that arise in managing public lands for multiple use in an environmentally sustainable fashion.
Multiple laws and policy directives encourage or mandate the use of collaborative stakeholder engagement and ADR in the federal government. The Bureau of Land Management strives to increase public participation and government transparency through collaborative stakeholder engagement, and recognizes that appropriate use of ADR offers a valuable alternative to conventional methods of resolving disputes.
The BLM uses collaborative stakeholder engagement and ADR principles and processes when engaging with a wide variety of stakeholders and the public, including: communities, Tribal, state, and local governments, other federal agencies, Bureau employees, and contractors. Collaborative stakeholder engagement and ADR efforts in the BLM generally fall under three categories:
• Natural Resources
• Workplace (CORE PLUS, including EEO and employee relations)
• Contracting and Acquisition
The Collaborative Stakeholder Engagement and Appropriate Dispute Resolution Program (ADR Program) supports these efforts in the field. The ADR Program consistently seeks to expand opportunities for public involvement while fostering increased use of conflict prevention, conflict management, and conflict resolution strategies by enhancing the Bureau’s capacity, transparency, outreach, and training. Resulting reductions in litigation, protests, appeals, complaints, and grievances ensure faster and more durable outcomes as well as budget savings and increased community and employee trust.
To learn more about collaborative stakeholder engagement and ADR in the BLM, use the links in the box on the right, or use our site map. If you can’t find the information you need on our website, please contact us.
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can’t help but wonder if they spelled it wrong & meant to say “steak holder” (‘specially seein’ as how they’re so buddybuddy with those cattle folks)
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