[Note: Meeting will be live-streamed]

The Bureau of Land Management’s National Wild Horse and Burro Advisory Board will meet for three days in September in Arlington, Virginia, to discuss issues relating to the management, protection, and control of wild horses and burros on Western public rangelands. The meeting, which will focus on the June 2013 report by the National Academy of Sciences (titled “Using Science to Improve the BLM Wild Horse and Burro Program: A Way Forward”), will take place on Monday, September 9, 2013, from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., on Tuesday, September 10, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Wednesday, September 11, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. local time.

The NAS report, which was commissioned by the BLM, called for several management actions, including the more widespread use of a fertility-control vaccine known as PZP (porcine zona pellucida) on mares. Contrary to some reports, the study did not call for an end to gathers of wild horses and burros from overpopulated herds, nor did the report urge the BLM to “let nature cull any excess herds.” The report’s recommendations are under review by the BLM.

The upcoming Advisory Board meeting will be held at the Key Bridge Marriott, 1401 Lee Highway, Arlington, Virginia 22209, telephone number 703-524-6400. The agenda of the meeting can be found in the August 1, 2013, Federal Register (at http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2013-08-01/pdf/2013-18571.pdf).

The Advisory Board provides input and advice to the BLM as it carries out its responsibilities under the 1971 Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act. The law mandates the protection, management, and control of these free-roaming animals in a manner that ensures healthy herds at levels consistent with the land’s capacity to support them.  According to the BLM’s latest official estimate, approximately 40,600 wild horses and burros roam on BLM-managed rangelands in 10 Western states.

The public may address the Advisory Board on Tuesday, September 10, at 3:00 p.m., local time. Individuals who want to make a statement at Tuesday’s meeting should register in person with the BLM by 2:00 p.m., local time, on that same day at the meeting site.  Depending on the number of speakers, the Board may limit the length of presentations, set at three minutes for previous meetings.

Speakers should submit a written copy of their statement to the BLM at the addresses below or bring a copy to the meeting.  There may be a Webcam present during the entire meeting and individual comments may be recorded.  Those who would like to comment but are unable to attend may submit a written statement to: National Wild Horse and Burro Program, WO-260, Attention: Ramona DeLorme, 1340 Financial Boulevard, Reno, Nevada, 89502-7147. Comments may also be e-mailed to the BLM (atwildhorse@blm.gov); please include “Advisory Board Comment” in the subject line of the e-mail.

For additional information regarding the meeting, please contact Ramona DeLorme, Wild Horse and Burro Administrative Assistant, at 775-861-6583.  Individuals who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may reach Ms. DeLorme during normal business hours by calling the Federal Information Relay Service at 1-800-877-8339.

The Advisory Board meets at least once a year and the BLM Director may call additional meetings when necessary.  Members serve without salary, but are reimbursed for travel and per diem expenses according to government travel regulations.