Native Wild Horses (Photo © Cynthia Smalley, all rights reserved.)
Here are some comments representing the many the public is sending in to Nevada BLM against helicopter roundups, etc.
Carson City District Office
Bureau of Land Management
5665 Morgan Mill Road
Carson City, NV 89701
June 5, 2012
Dear Sir/Mame:
The brutal helicopter roundups that your agency engages in have many adverse effects upon the wild horses and burros that are their victims. They cause physical injuries and even deaths in a significant number of the wild equids so pursued (5% or more). They break up the family (band) social structures and actually result in more uncontrolled breeding among those left in the wild. This is because the equid societies when in tact keep breeding suppressed especially in subdominant and younger members. This has been well documented (ref. Karen Sussman of ISPMB).
Additionally, the brutal roundups cause great anguish among the wild equids. Those wild horses and burros who lose their freedom in this insensitive manner suffer an equid form of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder for the rest of their lives, as attests how violently they react when a helicopter approaches overhead.
Other brutalities suffered during the penning and sorting process and standing around in crowded feedlots often for years on end also leave an indelible mark on their psyche. I consider your massive roundups by helicopter then chucking the horses and burros off to the holding pens to be a very insensitive and unintelligent way of dealing with them. It shows that whoever is running this program is from a livestock background and has little appreciation of the horse or burro in the wild — in fact its truer nature given its ancient, multi-million year development as a wild and free species.
These animals quickly revert to the wild when given the chance, and North America is their evolutionary cradle and place of long-standing development, though they also fit in well in the Old World. The equid is not an ruminant, but a post-gastric digester and as such contributes by building soils and dispersing intact seeds to a much greater degree than is the case with ruminant grazers — practically all the others in North America.
I urge you to study my book The Wild Horse Conspiracy, especially the part concerning Reserve Design for naturally self-stabilizing populations and how to achieve this. This would comply with the true intention of the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971, not the mayhem and suffering, social and ecological disruption that your draconian helicopter roundups and grossly unjust Appropriate Management Levels for the herds are presently causing. Please contact me for a copy of my book or portions concerning Reserve Design.
Best Wishes in fulfilling your important duty under this noble law that represents the will of the General Public.
Sincerely,
Craig C. Downer, Wildlife Ecologist
We will post more soon. Keep sending in your comments to ccfoweb@blm.com The deadline is June 12th
Corss-posted from BLM press release
U.S. Department of the Interior
Bureau of Land Management
News Release
For Immediate Release: June 4, 2012 CASO-12-8
Contact: Amy Dumas, BLM (916) 978-4678 or Erin Curtis (916) 978-4622
BLM Moves Hearing on Vehicle, Aircraft use in Wild Horse and Burro Program to July 10
The BLM has rescheduled a public hearing on the use of aircraft to gather wild horses and burros to provide more notice to members of the public who wish to participate.
The hearing had been scheduled for tomorrow night, Tuesday, June 5. It has been rescheduled for Tuesday, July 10, 2012, from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm at the Woodlake Hotel (formerly the Radisson) at 500 Leisure Lane in Sacramento.
At the hearing, participants can provide written comments or make statements about the use of motorized vehicles in managing wild horses and burros by the BLM California
The BLM periodically gathers and removes wild horses and burros from public lands to maintain populations in balance with other range users, and to ensure that rangeland forage and water sources are not over-used. BLM California manages two adoption facilities, in Ridgecrest and Litchfield, and holds adoptions throughout the state.
Wild horses and burros are protected on BLM and Forest Service lands under the 1971 Wild Free Roaming Horses and Burros Act, which requires population management and control. The Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 gave the BLM authority to use aircraft and motor vehicles in t to complete its work, and required public hearings annually regarding their use.
For more information, contact BLM Wild Horse and Burro Program Manager Amy Dumas at (916) 978-4678.
-BLM-
California State Office, 2800 Cottage Way, Suite W1834, Sacramento, CA 95825
Original release link coming soon
Captured wild horses Nevada Jan 2012 (Photo © Anne Novak, all rights reserved.)
Take action today~
Members of the public are encouraged to fax the BLM head office in Washington DC and request the Nevada helicopter hearing be rescheduled with a 30 day notice given to the public for oral comments. The fax number is: 202-208-5242. They may also email their request to Deputy Director Mike Pool at Mike_Pool@blm.gov .
Meanwhile, the group asks the public to send in their comments about using helicopters and other motorized vehicles in Nevada at roundups and for other wild horse and burro management. They welcome the public to send a copy of their comments to Contact@ProtectMustangs.org so Protect Mustangs can watchdog the process.
Thank you for doing what you can to help save wild horses and burros.
Stallion & Sweaty Mustangs Trapped at Calico Roundup (Photo © Cat Kindsfather)
Hear the report about the Nevada BLM jeopardizing public process, privacy and free speech and the call for the public to weigh in by faxing the BLM in Washington at 202-208-5242 .
The interview aired on KPFA, KPFB Evening News Berkeley, as well as on KFCF Fresno, KPFK Los Angeles, WBAI New York, KPFT Houston, WPFW Washington, DC.
Listen here: http://www.kpfa.org/archive/id/81120 at 22:35
Ask your friends to fax in requests for BLM to have a public helicopter hearing in Nevada with 30 days notice.
Thank you for doing what you can to save America’s wild horses and burros.
June 3, 2012 by ppjg
Louie Crocroft/PPJ Contributor
_________________________________
The Interior Board of Land Appeals (IBLA) complaint decision has not been given by the judge yet but the “stay” has been denied and BLM will start capturing about 350 wild burros from the Cibalo-Trigo HMA (south-western Arizona) on MONDAY, June 4th.
According to a recent article by videographer Carl Mrozek and based on his personal observations of the burros, there were no foals to be seen and only jacks (male burros) to be found in this area.
Link to Carl Mrozek video of burros – believe near Cibalo-Trigo area of AZ 2010 capture.
Please read the information below about the Wild Ass (burro, donkey) which is listed as an endangered species “where found” and then contact the BLM and request they refrain from capturing these burros until the IBLA judge has digested the scientific data and made a legal decision.
BLM contact information:
Colorado River District
Roxie Trost, District Manager
Yuma Field Office
John MacDonald, Field Manager
2555 East Gila Ridge Road
Yuma, AZ 85365
Phone: 928-317-3200
Fax 928-317-3250
And Contact the :
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
OFFICE OF HEARINGS AND APPEALS
Interior Board of Land Appeals
801 North Quincy Street, Suite 300
Arlington, Virginia 22203
And refer to IBLA 2012-143
And POLITELY ask the judge to take a hard look at the two scientific documents (#1 and #2 in this article) before making his/her decision on this very important issue.
Below are three pieces of legal documentation. The first two are scientific and the third was written by the acting director of the Fish and Wildlife Service in 1977 as a “notice” which was obvously a politically driven decision and not science. Although the first two scientific documents state that the wild burro is on the endangered species list, it is the notice (#3) that the BLM is using to persuade the IBLA judge that the wild burros are not included in the endangered species listing.
The notice (#3 below) was written by F. Eugene Hester who, in a seperate document/speech had this comment, “Political influences will shape our future responsibilities and alter our priorities” This statement and attitude explains that his decision was based on “political influences” and not science as the first two documents are. [Ref. Eastern Wildlife Damage Control Conference, 9-22-1985, F. Eugene Hester, U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service]
The Honorable U.S. District Judge Beryl A. Howell stated in her 23-page opinion that the agency [BLM] “may not simply remain studiously ignorant of material scientific evidence …” and yet we see numerous examples that the BLM decisions are not science based.
#1
Species Profile
African Wild ass (Equus asinus)
Kingdom: Animalia
Class: Mammalia
Order: Perissodactyla
Family: Equidae
Listing Status: Endangered
Where Listed: WHEREVER FOUND
Equus asinus species is endangered and clearly listed as endangered WHERE FOUNDand the Endangered Species Act does not make any reference to exclude species that may or may not be found on other than a historical country or area – thus this includes the United States of America and all states and all American lands. The following link was published by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service species profile.
#2
The U.S. Interagency published document by the Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS) is a partnership designed to provide consistent and reliable information on the taxonomy of biological species. ITIS was originally formed in 1996 as an interagency group within the U.S. federal government, involving several US Federal agencies and has now become an international body, with Canadian and Mexican government agencies participating. The database draws from a large community of taxonomic experts. Primary content staff are housed at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History and ITIS services are provided by a US Geological Survey facility in Denver.
Equus asinus Linnaeus, 1758
Taxonomic Serial No.: 180690
Top of Form
Taxonomy and Nomenclature Kingdom: Animalia Taxonomic Rank: Species
Synonym(s): Common Name(s):African wild ass [English] ass [English] burro [English]burro (feral) [English]
Taxonomic Status: Current Standing: valid
Data Quality Indicators: Record Credibility Rating: verified – standards met
Taxonomic Hierarchy
Kingdom Animalia– Animal, animals, animaux
PhylumChordata – chordates, cordado, cordés
SubphylumVertebrata – vertebrado, vertebrates, vertébrés
ClassMammalia Linnaeus, 1758 – mamífero, mammals, mammifères
Subclass Theria Parker and Haswell, 1897
InfraclassEutheria Gill, 1872
Order Perissodactyla Owen, 1848 – antas, odd-toed ungulates
Family Equidae Gray, 1821 – asses, horses, zebras
Genus Equus Linnaeus, 1758 – horses
Species Equus asinus Linnaeus, 1758 – African wild ass, ass, burro, burro (feral)
References/Expert(s):
Expert: Alfred L. Gardner
Notes:Curator of North American mammals and Chief of Mammal Section, National Biological Service, Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Washington, DC, USA
Reference for: Equus asinus
Expert: Peter Grubb
Notes:35 Downhills Park Road, London N17 6PE, England Reference for: Equus asinus
Other Source(s):
Source: Mammal Species of the World, website (version undefined) Acquired:1998
Notes: http://nmnhgoph.si.edu/msw/
Reference for: Equus asinus
Source: NODC Taxonomic Code, database (version 8.0)
Acquired:1996 Notes: Reference for :Equus asinus
Source:U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service Endangered Species Program-05/01, website (version undefined)
Acquired: 2001
Notes: http://endangered.fws.gov
Reference for: Equus asinus
Publication(s):
Author(s)/Editor(s):Banks, R. C., R. W. McDiarmid, A. L. Gardner, and W. C. Starnes
Publication Date:2003
Article/Chapter Title: Journal/Book Name, Vol. No.:Checklist of Vertebrates of the United States, the U.S. Territories, and Canada Page(s):
Publisher: Publication Place: ISBN/ISSN:
Notes:As-yet (2003) unpublished manuscript from 1998
Reference for: Equus asinus
Author(s)/Editor(s):Banks, R. C., R. W. McDiarmid, and A. L. Gardner
Publication Date: 1987
Article/Chapter Title: Checklist of Vertebrates of the United States, the U.S. Territories, and Canada Journal/Book Name, Vol. No.:Resource Publication, no. 166 Page(s):79
Publisher:United States Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service
Publication Place:Washington, D.C., USA ISBN/ISSN:
Notes: Reference for:Equus asinus
Author(s)/Editor(s): Wilson, Don E., and DeeAnn M. Reeder, eds.
Publication Date:1993 Article/Chapter Title: Journal/Book Name, Vol. No.:Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference, 2nd ed., 3rd printing Page(s):xviii + 1207
Publisher:
Smithsonian Institution Press Publication Place: Washington, DC, USA ISBN/ISSN:1-56098-217-9
Notes: Corrections were made to text at 3rd printing
Reference for: Equus asinus Author(s)/Editor(s):Wilson, Don E., and F. Russell Cole
Publication Date: 2000
Article/Chapter Title: Journal/Book Name, Vol. No.:Common Names of Mammals of the World Page(s):xiv + 204
Publisher:
Smithsonian Institution Press
Publication Place: Washington, DC, USA ISBN/ISSN:1-56098-383-3
Notes:With contributions by Bernadette N. Graham, Adam P. Potter, and Mariana M. Upmeyer
Reference for:Equus asinus , ass[English]
This online publication includes the following statement: “(e) The historic range indicates the known general distribution of the species or subspecies as reported in the current scientific literature. The present distribution may be greatly reduced from this historic range. This [column] does not imply any limitation on the application of the prohibitions in the Act or implementing rules. Such prohibitions apply to all individuals of the species, wherever found.”
#3
Fish and Wildlife Service
ENDANGERED AND THREATENED SPECIES
Notice of Clarification of Status of Wild Burros
(emphasis added)
This notice is issued by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service in order to clarify the status of the wild burro under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. (16 U.S.C. 00 1531-43) tSupp V)
(hereinafter the 1973 Act). It has recently been determined that confusion exists concerning the relationship between the burros in this country and the African wild ass (Equus asinus), an endangered species. For the reasons set forth below, it is the conclusion of the Service that the American population of burros has never been listed under the 1973 Act or any of its predecessors.
The problem recently arose when taxonomic similarities were noted between the African wild ass and the wild burro, an exotic species introduced out west during the earlier development of our country. Further taxonomic investigation indicated that the burro and the African wild ass were in fact the same species. This conclusion does not support the inference, however, that the western wild burro is presently listed as an endangered species.
The first endangered species act was passed in 1966 and was limited in scope to “native” or resident species of fish or wildlife threatened with extinction. (Public Law 89-669,80 Stat 926) (hereinafter the 1966 Act). Section l(c) of the 1966 Act stated that native species of fish or wildlife could be regarded as endangered if the Secretary of the Interior found after consultation with the affected States, that their existence was threatened because of certain enumerated factors. The Secretary was directed to publish in the Federal Register a list of those native species determined by the Secretary to be endangered. Such a list was published on March 8.1969 at 34 FR 5034 without a reference to either the wild burro or Equus asinus. Nor were any of the “affected” western States ever consulted over the possible listing of the wild burro as an endangered species.
The Endangered Species Conservation Act of 1969. (Public Law 91-135, 83 Stat.2’75) (hereinafter the 1969 Act); expanded the 1966 Act by authorizing the listing of foreign species of fish or wildlife which were threatened with worldwide extinction. A proposed rulemaking on April [illegible] … 5 FR 6060, the Secretary set forth the original list of endangered foreign species. Appendix A, entitled “Secretary of the Interior’s List of Species and Subspecies Threatened With Extinction in Other Countries”, contained the following entries:
Common name Scientific name Where found
Somali wild ass. Equus asinus mmalinu. Ethiopia, Somalia
Nubian wild ass Equus asinus africanus Ethiopia
When the final rulemaking for the foreign list was published on June 2, 1970, 35 FR 8491, Appendix A was retitled to read “United States List of Endangered Foreign Fish and Wildlife.”
The above entries were condensed into one:
Common name: Scientific name: Where found
African wild ass Equus asinus Ethiopia, Somalia, Sedan
It is interesting to note that for those Appendix A species which included resident populations in the United States, the “where found” entry included a specific reference to the United States. Thus the entry for the whooping crane read as follows:
Common name Scientific name Where found
Whooping crane Grus americanus Canada, United States
The entry for the African wild ass contained no such reference to the United States, and hence is additional evidence that the native population of wild burros was never considered for listing under the 1969 Act.
This conclusion is further supported by the first list of native endangered species developed under the 1969 Act. Published as a proposed rulemaking on August 25. 1970.35 FR 13519, and a final rulemaking on October 13, 1970. 35 FR 16047, the native list was again devoid of any mention of the wild burro or Equus asinus.
Except in very limited circumstances, the 1973 Act retained the lists published under the 1969 Act. The new Act also abandoned the distinction between native and foreign lists and a combined list was eventually published on September 26, 1975 at 49 FR 44412.
The present listing for the African Wild ass is as follows :
Common name
Scientific name
Known distribution Portion of range where endangered
Ass, African wild ass Epuus asinus. Ethiopia, Somafia, Sudan Entire
The existing confusion over the status of the wild burro stems from the fact that the present listing for Equus asinus covers its entire range and is not specifically limited to the African population in Ethiopia, Somalia and Sudan. Thus, the “population” column for the African wild ass entry contains the notation “N/A” for “not applicable.” This was quite logical when the list was published in September of 1975 because the African population was the only known one in existence, as evidenced by the reference to Ethiopia, Somalia and Sudan under the “known distribution” column There was no need, therefore, to be specifically selective in the listing process since the African population was synonymous with the entire known range of the African wild ass. The Service only utilizes the population concept in listing when it deems it necessary to discriminate between two or more known populations of a particular species. This was simply not the case with the African wild ass in September of 1975.
In summary. it has been clearly shown that throughout the entire listing and relisting process under three endangered species acts, the western wild burro has never been considered for
designation as an endangered species. Equus asinus has always been treated administratively as a foreign species and was never included on a native list of endangered species. Furthermore, the procedural requirements for consultation with affected States during the listing of a native species were never complied with. An undesignated native populationof a listed foreign species cannot be bootstrapped into coverage under the 1973 Act because of a clerical ambiguity with the list.
Congress, itself, has implicitly recognized the unlisted status of the wild burro with the passage in 1971 of the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act (16 U.S.C. 89 1331-40) (Supp. V).
Throughout the entire legislative history of the Act, there is not a single reference to the wild burro’s classification as an endangered species. Congressional silence on this matter would have been highly unlikely if the wild burro had been actually listed under the 1969 Act.
The Service intends to correct the technical deficiency of the present entry for the African wild ass when it republishes the updated list of endangered and threatened species in the fall. The
word “Ethiopia, Somalia and Sudan” will be inserted under the “population” column in place of the present letters “N/A”. This will be a purely clerical modification and in no way should be interpreted as evidence that the burro is presently listed under the 19??(illegible) Act.
Dated: March 11,1977.
F. EUGENE HESTER,
Acting Director, United States Fish and Wildlife Service
(FR Doc.77-8741 Filed 3-23-77;8:45 am)
http://ecos.fws.gov/docs/federal_register/fr128.pdf
My personal research has made it obvious to me and as you can see for yourself from the above scientific documentation, BLM’s decisions are heavily influenced by unscientific political considerations and failure to take a “hard look” at the science as is required by law. This must be stopped!
_________________________________________________________________________
http://tuesdayshorse.wordpress.com/2010/08/10/wild-burros-of-az-black-mountains-on-cbs/
http://ecos.fws.gov/speciesProfile/profile/speciesProfile.action?spcode=A00M
http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=180690
For immediate release:
California BLM shows transparency—why not Nevada?
Advocates ask BLM Nevada to reschedule their ‘public’ hearing
SAN FRANCISCO, Ca. (June 2, 2012)—Protect Mustangs, the Bay Area-based preservation group, has been in negotiation with BLM California and is happy to announce that the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has agreed to postpone the California helicopter and motorized use public hearing to a later date. Using helicopters at wild horse and burro roundups is controversial. Americans nationwide call helicopter roundups cruel.
“We want to thank BLM California for their act of good faith to promote transparency,” says Anne Novak, executive director for Protect Mustangs. “The American public wants to participate but they need 30 days notice in order to make travel arrangements.”
On May 30th the preservation group discovered BLM California’s press release online. With only 4-5 days until the hearing, they contacted BLM and opened up the dialogue requesting the public hearing be postponed and rescheduled.
The Nevada saga
“Even though 80% of America’s indigenous wild horses live on public land in the State of Nevada, they belong to all Americans–from San Francisco to New York City,” explains Novak. “They are icons of freedom and must not be terrorized by helicopters.”
After discovering an unpublicized yet critical hearing, Protect Mustangs requested for Nevada BLM to reschedule their public hearing, for helicopter and motorized vehicle use for roundups and management, because their public notice was too short (5 business days) and basically no one knew about it.
Unlike the California BLM who took proper action to protect public process, the Nevada BLM refused to reschedule the public hearing on helicopters so the public would have adequate notice (30 days) to attend.
On May 29th, in Carson City, Nevada, only 4 people commented in a close to empty hearing room because interested members of the public were not informed. The hearing notice was published online, 5 business days before, in a small town local paper in Mesquite, Nevada–487 miles away.
“BLM Nevada shows the American people they want to avoid engaging public input,” says Kerry Becklund, outreach director for Protect Mustangs. “Hiding public hearings from the public demonstrates a lack of transparency.”
Reno News 4 reported on Wild horse advocates say BLM jeopardized public process.
Invasion of privacy suppresses free speech
In an unsuccessful gesture to placate public outrage, BLM Nevada announced, during the hearing, they would extend the written comment period until June 12th with new comment guidelines.
Protect Mustangs and members of the public oppose BLM’s disclaimer that the agency will not safeguard the personal identifying information PII) BLM requires in order to comment. Clearly this invasion of privacy suppresses free speech. The group is asking for the PII to be minimal and for the BLM to withhold the PII if requested by the commenter.
“One of the gems of America is that the people can participate through public comment and public hearings,” says Novak. “We don’t want people to feel their rights to privacy will be violated if they speak out.”
The group continues negotiations with BLM Nevada, to reschedule the controversial Nevada helicopter hearing so members of the public may attend and give oral comment.
Members of the public are encouraged to fax the BLM head office in Washington DC to request the Nevada helicopter hearing be rescheduled with a 30 day notice given to the public. The fax number is: 202-208-5242. They may also email their request to Deputy Director Mike Pool at Mike_Pool@blm.gov .
Meanwhile, the group asks the public to send in their comments about using helicopters and other motorized vehicles at roundups and for other wild horse and burro management. They welcome the public to send them a copy of their comments to Contact@ProtectMustangs.org so Protect Mustangs can watchdog the process.
# # #
Media Contacts:
Anne Novak, 415-531-8454 Anne@ProtectMustangs.org
Kerry Becklund, 510-502-1913 Kerry@ProtectMustangs.org
Contact Protect Mustangs for interviews, photos or video
Links of interest:
Reno News 4 reported on Wild horse advocates say BLM jeopardized public process: http://www.mynews4.com/news/local/story/Wild-horse-advocates-say-the-BLM-jeopardized/a8kN1TVKZ0WLiaEBaISvDA.cspx
Posted May 21 via Mesquite Citizen Journal BLM Public Hearing Set on Management of Wild Horses and Burros: http://mesquitecitizen.com/viewnews.php?newsid=1994&id=38
May 18th BLM press release on public hearing for helicopters and motorized vehicles: http://www.blm.gov/nv/st/en/info/newsroom/2012/may/blm_to_hold_public.html
Letter requesting Nevada BLM give the public 30 days notice for helicopter use hearing http://protectmustangs.org/?p=1409
Protect Mustangs press release: Government transparency and public process jeopardizedhttp://protectmustangs.org/?p=1416
Comment period extended but Nevada public hearing a sham http://protectmustangs.org/?p=1441
BLM press release with comment guidelines requiring personal identifying information that will not be safeguarded:
http://www.blm.gov/nv/st/en/info/newsroom/2012/may/carson_city__blm_nevada.html
Protect Mustangs website: http://protectmustangs.org/
Protect Mustangs is a Bay Area-based preservation group whose mission is to educate the public about the American wild horse, protect and research wild horses on the range and help those who have lost their freedom.
AMERICANS CALLED TO ACTION TO PREVENT THE REMOVAL & POSSIBLE SALE TO SLAUGHTER OF ARIZONA WILD HORSES WHOSE HISTORY TRACES TO 17TH CENTURY MISSIONARY
Documents obtained under Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) indicate that the US Forest Service may remove horses from the Tonto national Forest without period for public comment or environmental impact study
(Phoenix, AZ May 31, 2012). The Conquistador Equine Rescue and Advocacy Program (CERAP), a 501c3 equine rescue and advocacy charity, has received material under the Freedom of Information Act indicating that the United States Forest Service (USFS) may be considering the imminent removal of unbranded, free-roaming wild horses living along the Salt River on the Tonto National Forest (TNF) near metropolitan Phoenix in Arizona.
Documents received under FOIA indicate that the USFS does not acknowledge that the horses are wild and thus protected under the 1971 Wild Horse and Burro Act. Asserting the horses are not unclaimed, unbranded free-roaming horses as defined under the Act, the TNF considers them “trespassing” on USFS land and may remove all of them. It is possible that the horses would be taken to the Pacific Livestock Auction near Phoenix where they are at great risk of being purchased by killer buyers to sell for slaughter. FOIA material demonstrates that officials of the TNF have had horses removed before without any public comment period or study under the National Environmental Protection Act, a requirement for removal of wild horses on USFS land. In one case, forest officials admitted in emails that five horses gathered from the Cave Creek ranger district probably were not “trespass” or “feral.” The horses were sent to the Pacific Livestock Auction. CERAP was able to rescue the one foal with the herd of a stallion and his mares.
Historical documents indicate that the Spanish Missionary, Father Eusebio Kino brought horses and other animals to the area in the 17th century. Oral histories by witnesses indicate that they have seen and photographed the horses for decades on the TNF and a picture shows three of these magnificent animals in a 1957 Arizona Highways Magazine. While the Tonto NF claims the horses are “trespass horses” from the bordering Salt River Pima Maricopa Nation and the Ft. McDowell Reservation, to the best of CERAP’s knowledge the tribes have NOT claimed the horses.
CERAP working together with community members is asking that people across the country immediately telephone their United States Representative, two United States Senators and the Forest Supervisor for the Tonto National Forest telling them they do not want the unbranded, free-roaming unclaimed wild horses living on the Tonto National Forest removed and that the horses, living symbols of the West, are a very important part of United States and Arizona history and a very important natural resource.
Fact sheet on who to contact:
To find contact information for US Congressmen and US Senators by State, by name, or by zip code, go to the link below:
http://www.usa.gov/Contact/
The Tonto National Forest Supervisor Reta Laford may be contacted at:
Telephone: 602-225-5200
Fax: 602-225-5200
2324 E. McDowell Road
Phoenix, AZ 85006
Email: tonto_webmail@fs.fed.us
Calls should be made immediately followed by a letter faxed to the 2324 East McDowell office or emailed to that office.
# # #
Dr. Pat Haight
(480) 593-4491
Patricia Haight, Ph.D.
The Conquistador Equine Rescue and Advocacy Program
A 501c3 Equine Welfare Organization
www.conquistadorprogram.org See More
Happier times
Cross-posted from East County Magazine:
By Miriam Raftery
May 19, 2012 (Ocotillo) — In a precedent that has horrified wildlife experts, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service has authorized the “take” (meaning harassment, displacement or even death) of 10 endangered Peninsular Bighorn Sheep – five ewes and five lambs.
The decision comes after federal wildlife officials were provided photographic evidence that the endangered animals were seen in recent weeks on the site of the just-approved Ocotillo Express wind energy facility—a presence federal officials and the project developer have long denied.
Mark Jorgensen is the retired Superintendent of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, which shares a five mile border with the Ocotillo Express wind project now under construction on adjacent public property owned by the federal Bureau of Land Management (BLM). He is horrified at the decision to allow the killing of the sheep on land that until recently was designated as critical bighorn habitat.
Mark Jorgensen, retired Superintendent, Anza-Borrego Desert State ParkJorgensen calls the decision “astounding” in a comment submitted on the Biological Opinion, adding that the USF&W “is charged with protecting this endangered population—and it is not showing any leadership in safeguarding the [Endangered Species Act] ESA.”
According to the USF&WS website, “The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people.”
There are only about 950 Peninsular Bighorn Sheep left in the U.S. as of 2010. Their numbers had steadily declined prior to being declared an endangered species in 1998, according to the Bighorn Institute.
The “take” authorization is found in a Biological Opinion issued by the Carlsbad, California office of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USF&WS) to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) on April 25, 2012. U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar signed a final Record of Decision last week authorizing the Ocotillo wind facility. His decision relied on the USF&WS document, among others.
Wind energy corporations in other parts of the country have been issued take permits for endangered eagles, our national symbol–all part of new policies implemented amid the rush to fast-track so-called “green” energy projects.
Until recently, over 800,000 acres in the area were designated as critical habit for the Peninsular Desert Bighorn Sheep. But that number was recently sliced to less than half—370,000 acres—by the USF&WS, a convenient decision for Pattern Energy, developer of the 12,500 acre Ocotillo Express wind project as well as other local developers whose proposed projects were similar removed from bighorn habitat designation.
Jorgensen accuses the USF&WS of bowing to political pressures and ignoring evidence. “They claim this was a result of `new science’ and a legal challenge, but they’ve never produced the science to substantiate their reduction,” he wrote in the the Biological Opinion submitted on May 2, 2012.
At times, the habitat removal borders on sheer incredulity. The only officially designated bighorn habitat on the 12,500 Ocotillo wind site is an “island”, or median area between the north and southbound lanes of the Interstate 8 freeway.
The Ocotillo wind project shares a five-mile boundary with Anza Borrego Desert State Park. Jorgensen and others have voiced concerns that the wind project cuts off a key corridor used by the sheep to migrate to and from the park seasonally.
Jorgensen has previously turned whistleblower, telilng ECM that the California Governor’s office issued a gag order two days before the deadline for comments on the wind project’s Environmental Impact Statement — preventing state park employees from turrning in a comment that had been worked on for months. The muzzled comments included concerns over the project’s impacts on endangered Bighorn sheep, according to Jorgensen.
Governor Jerry Brown’s office has denied that a gag order was issued. But the Borrego Sun subsequently published a news article revealing that multiple individuals with close ties to Anza Borrego Desert State Park confirmed that state park employees were gagged. The nonprofit Anza Borrego Desert State Foundation, however, has issued scathing criticism of the project’s potential impacts on wildlife including Bighorn sheep and denounced both state and federal officials for failing in their duties to protect endangered wildlife and habitat.
Above the project site to the west, construction of the high-voltage Sunrise Powerlink line in McCain Valley has disrupted additional bighorn habitat—and now a second wind facility, Tule Wind, has been approved by the BLM for construction in McCain Valley. With trucks and helicopters throughout the region, California Highway Patrol has recently had to use bullhorns to scare displaced bighorn off the freeway itself.
Pattern did remove some turbines slated to go into rocky areas, but has insisted that no bighorn sheep have been seen on the flat, sandy areas.
Two photographers sent ECM photographs of bighorn in the area as recently as April. Those photos showed a herd of the endangered animals on the project boundary—some with radio tracking collars and ear tags visible. One shot shows sheep standing in flat sand, not rocks.
ECM sent those photos to federal wildlife officials to document presence of the sheep on the project site. But instead of taking action to protect the endangered animals, the USF&WS authorized their destruction—and Secretary Salazar signed their death wPhoto courtesy of Windfall, the moviearrant.
Jorgensen had proposed that the entire project be rejected. Failing that, he sought removal of eight turbines within three-quarters of a mile of a documented lambing area. He also urged federal officials to consider the “overwhelming cumulative impacts being generated in the area” including two wind projects, two high-voltage powerlines, I-8, Border Patrol’s increased activity, off-road-vehicle activity and more.
Astoundingly, the USF&WS document claims that the project does not constitute a significant loss in habitat.
Pattern has agreed to a monitoring and mitigation plan, including restoration of historic bighorn habitat at Carrizo Creek. However that does not account for the disruption in habitat conductivity that the massive project will cause — a concern raised by numerous wildlife experts in the area.
The project developer misleadingly has stated that only a small fraction of the 12,500 acres will be impacted—but fails to count the spaces between turbines as impacted areas even though they will be beneath blades each with a sweep area the size of a football field, each generating infrasound capable of causing health impacts, blade flicker, and noise described by some as similar to a helicopter hovering constantly. Wind facilities can also generate stray voltage capable of causing injury or even death; entire herds of cattle have been known to die from ground current.
Ominously, the Biological Opinion further makes reference to “incidental take”, leaving the door open to authorize even more bighorn deaths.
“This is not acceptable for USF&WS to permit,” Jorgensen says of the five ewes and five lambs authorized for potential destruction. His comment concludes emphatically that the USF&WS has “NO EXCUSE for this action!”
A massive excavation area at the site will be for a 785,000 “pond”, a worker told an ECM photographer Jim Pelley. Pelley fears the pond may contain brackish water that could harm bighorn sheep or other wildlife.
Courtney Coyle, attorney for the Viejas tribe, told ECM she did not seeExcavation at turbine site for a 785,000 gallon pond to be used for constrruction a reference to where the pond would be locatedin the project EIS. “This is part of the changing project descriptions issue,” she said.
Significantly, the final project approval document signed by Salazar state that the project will power a mere 25,000 homes–a four-fifths drop from the 130,000 homes claimed by Pattern in its testimony to Imperial Valley Supervisors, County Planners, and in the EIS. Where did the missing 105,000 homes go? Were approvals granted under false pretexts?
Moreover, the wind speeds Pattern know acknowledges at the project site are lower than the Department of Energy’s recommended minimum standard for a viable wind energy project.
The site also poses risks to human health, from deadly Valley Fever spores being kicked up by construction dust to infrasound hazards to residents of Ocotillo, who will be surrounded on three sides by whirling turbines 450 tall or more.
If the project is goingOcotillo forest is gone, destroyed by Pattern’s bulldozers. to generate only a fifth of the power promised by proponents, and the hidden costs are staggering and irreversible, why hasn’t the federal government halted the project and weighed whether federal subsidies should be withdrawn?
Robert Scheid is spokesman for the Viejas Band of the Kumeyaay Nation, one of several Indian tribes fighting to halt the project due to threats to Native American remains, artifacts, ancient geoglyphs and sacred sites. Scheid has called the Ocotillo project a “land grab of public lands by private corporations.”
The Quechan tribe on Friday asked a federal judge to issue a temporary restraining order to halt the devastation, after forensic dogs hired by tribes found six additional apparent cremation sites.
Meanwhile, bulldozers have begun the task of destroying the fragile desert terrain, wiping out habitat even as multiple lawsuits make their way into the courts seeking to protect Native American cultural sites as well as wildlife habitat.
Absent a restraining order soon, however, both the endangered Bighorn and countlesss Native American sacred sites may soon be gone with the wind.
Visit the original article: http://eastcountymagazine.org/node/9732