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