Wild Equine Advocates want 30 days notice for public hearings on use of Helicopters at roundups
RENO (May 28, 2012)—Protect Mustangs has discovered that the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) scheduled an important public hearing for 10 am the morning after Memorial Day weekend without adequately notifying the public. The hearing is scheduled for 10-11 a.m., at the BLM Carson City District Office, 5665 Morgan Mill Road, in Carson City, Nev. The wild horse preservation group is requesting the BLM reschedule the public hearing—regarding the use of helicopters and other motorized vehicles for roundups and management—in order to give the public at least 30 days notice.
“What happened to government transparency and public process?” asks Anne Novak, executive director of Protect Mustangs. “With 80% of America’s federally protected indigenous wild horses and burros living on public land in Nevada, the whole country should be given adequate notice to participate in person as well as via email. Most members of the public are against helicopter roundups. Is BLM trying to sneak this by without public input?”
On Saturday, the preservation group’s website alerted the public about the hearing, after they saw it posted in the Mesquite News online.”Through our social media channels the public began to hear about the public hearing that no one knew about,” said Novak. “Even horse advocates in Carson City hadn’t heard about the hearing.”
The group is collecting comments against helicopter roundups to take to Tuesday morning’s hearing. Members of the public may email them to Contact@ProtectMustangs.org
In the letter addressed to The BLM, Novak states, “The requirement for the public hearing was set in place to protect the public’s rights to participate in government and this must not be ignored.”
The BLM press release reads:
Before helicopters or motorized vehicles can be used, a public hearing is required in order to comply with Section 404 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act. The BLM proposes to use a helicopter, fixed wing aircraft and other motorized vehicles to estimate population numbers and obtain seasonal distribution information for wild horse and burro herds throughout Nevada. Also proposed is using a helicopter to assist in gathering excess wild horses and burros on gathers and complexes throughout the state during the coming year. The actual number of areas where gathers will be conducted or inventoried will depend on a number of factors including funding.
Members of the public can fax the BLM head office in Washington DC to request the helicopter hearing be rescheduled with a 30 day notice given to the public. The fax number is: 202-208-5242
Controversial helicopter roundups have harassed wild horses and burros—stampeding them for miles, often resulting in lameness and sometimes in death.
Besides being concerned about animal cruelty at helicopter roundups, Protect Mustangs believes that helicopters flying in the desert for days or weeks emit pollution that harms the environment and contributes to global warming. The group believes motorized vehicles damage the ecosystem—hurting many forms of wildlife, such as sage grouse, and other endangered species on the range as well.
The group opposes the use of helicopter and motorized vehicles (except in a state of emergency or for an accurate population head count—not an estimate.)
“If wild horses and burros are facing a water or food emergency then bring it out there but roundups must stop now,” states Novak. “A drought isn’t an excuse for roundups to zero out indigenous wild horses and remove them from their home on public land forever . . .”
Related articles
- Wild Mares Giving Birth to Litters?(according to BLM population estimates, they do) (rtfitchauthor.com)
- BLM Nat. Wild Horse and Burro “Slaughter” Advisory Board Meets Today (rtfitchauthor.com)
- Salazar, Obama’s BLM Stick It to the Wild Horses, Burros and the American Public (rtfitchauthor.com)
- The Feds Unnecessarily Round Up Wild Horses, Then Complain About Costs (rtfitchauthor.com)
- Some Horse Sense at Last? (rtfitchauthor.com)
- Petition: Tell Interior Secretary to Dump Pro-Wild Horse Slaughter Appointee (rtfitchauthor.com)
Categories: Horse News, Wild Burros, Wild Horses/Mustangs
Does this mean Tuesday?
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Tomorrow morning, Tuesday, May, 29, 2012.
Whoa!! Government gallops out of control…the BLM is headed for the cliff with our wild horses…
What do citizens have to do to stop a run-away federal agency about to spear a few thousand wild horses a slab??????
Where is our one-reined emergency stop???????????
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Why am I not surprised that this rogue agency is once again acting in opposition of the horses?
Darn it–my backs out and I’m on muscle relaxants–so driving is out. Darn darn darn. If we can get this rescheduled–I would certainly try to make the drive to support the horses.
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I tried to post this to fb and they are now censoring me! I’ve noticed this in the last week or so that posts don’t always get to my timeline. Anyone else having issues with fb?
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Just posted to fb with no trouble.
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I cannot begin to express my disgust with people who will look you in the eye, smile and say they really care about the horses knowing they are lying through their teeth. That takes practice.
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Oh no it doesn’t! I won’t name names but I can think of two directors of BLM and the Wild Horses who say one thing outta one side of their mouth and something totally opposite out the other!
And my father’s second wifey (who played all of us) was the EXACT same.
Dealing with her was easy–you just didn’t mention her name or include her into decisions! Sadly we HAVE to deal with these rattlesnakes! Don’t want insult the donkeys!
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You can also contact these BLM employees:
“Lueders, Amy L”
Cc: “Shepherd Alan B” ,
“Seidlitz, Gene E” <gseidlit@blm.gov
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there is no reason to use helicopters or motorized vehicles and run OUR mustangs into stress and sometimes death.. the colts cannot take it either…. They are OUR horses!!!!!!!!!
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