Tag Archives: Mustang

Statement on the Palomino Valley Fire & BLM’s lack of a good evacuation plan

Posted on by
2

PVC Fire July 2, 2012 across dirt road from the holding facility (Photo © Taylor Jones)

Statement from Anne Novak, executive director of Protect Mustangs

We are very grateful to the firefighters for their hard work to stop a potential catastrophe. We hope all the residents are safe in the area.

People across the country were so worried when we released the photos taken by Taylor James on our website (http://protectmustangs.org/?p=1852 ) and through social media. The public cares deeply about America’s mustangs–especially all the mares and foals who have just been rounded up from Jackson Mountain.

With all the fires across the West this summer, we hope the BLM has an up to date evacuation plan for each wild horse and burro holding facility.

We request the BLM provide us with a copy of their emergency evacuation plan for more than 2,000 indigenous wild horses often held at the Palomino Valley Center.

We are asking the BLM to create a 45 minute evacuation plan in case of an extreme emergency–for each wild horse holding facility across the country. Once the BLM takes the mustangs off the land they are responsible for their welfare.

BLM’s 24 hour evacuation plan for Palomino Valley is not practical. What if these horses and staffers needed to evacuate quickly due to fire?

We would like the BLM to provide us with a copy of their emergency evacuation plan for the wild horses held at the Palomino Valley Center.

According to Taylor James, the photographer on site, the mustangs were already panicking at 7:10  p.m. with smoke coming into their pens.

We are especially concerned for the welfare of the pregnant mares and tiny foals after the intense smoke exposure–while they were trapped in pens. In the wild they would run away with their families. Tonight they were at risk because they have been rounded up, separated from their families and held captive.

 

Links of interest:

July 3, 2012 1:15 p.m. Ironwood fire is 90% contained. News 4 reports http://www.mynews4.com/mostpopular/story/Ironwood-Fire-is-50-contained/dry6RBxk502RkA-w6YCc5Q.cspx

Mustang Monday™: Ask your representative to defund slaughter today

Posted on by
3

(Photo © Cat Kindsfather, all rights reserved)

Please CALL the Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121; ask to be connected to your state Representative’s office. Ask them to NOT fund horse slaughter. Calls must be made today!
The House of Representatives will vote on the AG Appropriations bill tomorrow, Tuesday, June 26. A new amendment could be offered to remove the Committee-approved language that was just added back in last week prohibiting the USDA from spending tax dollars to inspect horse slaughter facilities.
America’s horses can be protected if the House keeps the defunding language currently included that prohibits inspections of horse slaughter. It’s up to us to make our voices heard today.Pro-slaughter supporters are putting the pressure on, but you can urge your Representatives to stand strong and oppose any effort to remove this funding ban.
You can also find the direct contact information for your state representative here>> http://www.house.gov/representatives/find/
Thank you for taking action to help all of America’s horses including our iconic wild horses.

Come to the Sacramento Rally to Stop Helicopter Roundups July 10th

Posted on by
2

 

Note posted 6/24: Rally time is 10:30 AM ~ Location TBA in 48 hours

Here is a list of speakers as of this date

Craig Downer

Marjorie Farabee

Terri Farley

Ginger Kathrens

Elliot Katz

Carl Mrozek

Simone Netherlands

Shruti Tewari

Jetara True-Love

Robin Warren  (Wild Mustang Robin)

 

 

 

BREAKING News: The BLM is pressing charges against 2 American citizens who attended the Yuma burro roundup on June 10th.

Posted on by
3

Roundup helicopter (Photo © Cat Kindsfather, all rights reserved,)

Update about the situation June 13th

Dear friends of wild horses and burros. I want to share the latest information from the Bureau of Land Management about the incident at Yuma. Below is an email from Tom Gorey

——– Original Message ——–
Subject: Response to your e-mail
From: “Gorey, Tom” <TGorey@blm.gov>
Date: Wed, June 13, 2012 9:29 am
To: Anne protectmustangs
<anne@protectmustangs.org>

Today’s statement:

 

This investigation is ongoing and charges are pending, and until finalized, we are not providing additional information.  Court documents are typically a matter of public record and should be available when charges are finalized through the courts.  When the venue is confirmed, the BLM will be able to respond to requests for this information.

 

 

Yesterday’s statement:

 

On June 10, 2012, two public observers were contacted by BLM Law Enforcement Rangers outside the designated viewing area. One of the individuals (MROZEK-MALE) had been previously asked on numerous occasions to leave the viewing area based on his failure to comply with instructions from law enforcement officers. The other individual (HAYDEN-FEMALE), who was in a restricted area, was asked repeatedly to move to the designated viewing area, for her safety and the safety of those involved in the gather operations, and she refused to comply. Rangers had to make physical contact with both individuals to gain compliance. Both individuals were detained pending charges. Both individuals were placed in air conditioned law enforcement vehicles.  Both individuals requested medical attention. Ambulances were called at their request. One individual was transported by ambulance. One individual was evaluated and released at the scene. Charges are pending against both individuals.

 

 

Here is an article just published at Horseback Magazine: http://horsebackmagazine.com/hb/archives/16188/comment-page-1#comment-13757

More information coming soon.

Go out to the Jackson Mountain roundup ~ Be a witness

Posted on by
1

Information about attending the Jackson Mountain Wild Horse Roundup

Good things to bring with you:

Layered clothes

Closed-toed sturdy shoes or boots

Gloves and a hat

Sunscreen

Food and lots of water

Binoculars

Camera with zoom lens, several memory cards and extra batteries

Video camera and tripod if you want to capture video

bandana scarf

Kleenex

4 wheel drive and a spare tire

A full tank of gas when you leave the meeting point to go out on the range

 

The Bureau of Land Management Information about the Jackson Mountain Roundup

“At this point the viewing location is approximately 400 ft but may have to be relocated if we have a number of visitors due to openness of area,” says Alan Shepard, BLM’s wild horse and burro specialist on June 9, 2012.

So bring a long lens and good binoculars to see the action.

BLM says:

When to meet: The meeting time is 5 a.m. at this time.  The meeting time may change throughout the roundup, so visitors are encouraged to call the Wild Horse Roundup Info Line at (775) 623-1541 for an update on the next day’s roundup activities, meeting times and location, or to leave a message if you plan to visit the roundup.   Note: Roundup operations are dependent on the weather and could change with little or no notice.

Where to meet:  Meet BLM personnel at the Winnemucca District Office, located at 5100 E. Winnemucca Blvd., Winnemucca, NV 89445 (Phone: 775-623-1500).  There will be a short briefing for the day and introductions.  We will then caravan out to the roundup site of the day and stay until roundup operations are completed.  We may not know the exact location of these sites until the day before.

Transportation:  All visitors must have their own transportation – we cannot take people in government vehicles except in an emergency.  The temporary holding corrals/sites will move around to several locations and the roads can get very rough in and around the Jackson Mountains Herd Management Area. Vehicles must have a 4-wheel drive with high clearance.  Gas and full services are available in Winnemucca.  Cell phones are also a good idea if you get stranded, though coverage cannot be guaranteed.  We will travel together to and from the gather.  Head lights must be on and if any vehicle has mechanical problems and/or flat tires, we all stop.

Driving Directions: to Winnemucca, Nevada from Reno and to the Winnemucca District Office:  From Reno, NV, follow I-80 east and drive approximately 160 miles.  Merge onto W Winnemucca Blvd/I-80-BL E/NV-289 N/US-95 N via EXIT 176 toward Winnemucca Downtown West.

Travel northeast on Winnemucca Blvd. through town about a mile and then turn right on East Winnemucca Blvd.  If you hit the entrance to I-80, you’ve gone too far.  Travel about one mile on East Winnemucca Blvd.  You’ll pass: Maverick gas station on your left; the Forest Service Bldg on your right, and the BLM office is just past the car dealership on the right.

Weather conditions:  Lows of about 50 and highs in the high 80s.


 


Americans want aid sent to pregnant wild horses and babies—not to stampede them

Posted on by
4

Privately owned livestock allowed to remain on the range while wild horses risk death in helicopter roundup

For immediate release:

Freedom Lost & Hell Begins (Photo © Cat Kindsfather, all rights reserved)

WASHINGTON (June 7, 2012)—Protect Mustangs opposes the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Jackson Mountain roundup, in northwestern Nevada famous for Burning Man, set to begin tomorrow. The preservation group and members of the public are reaching out to elected officals nationwide to come to the aid of America’s wild horses and burros. The BLM has chosen to endanger heavily pregnant mares and tiny foals by stampeding them in a terrifying helicopter roundup. Protect Mustangs asked BLM to continue trucking out water and other aid as needed for the wild horses. Their request was refused. Trucking aid to them is cheaper than a cruel million dollar roundup paid for by the American taxpayer. Originally the wild horse removal was planned for after foaling season in July but BLM claims the indigenous horses are at risk because of drought conditions even though rain is forecasted and private livestock is allowed to remain grazing on the range.

“We need our elected officials to intervene at this point,” says Anne Novak, executive director of Protect Mustangs. “We asked the BLM to continue bringing them water but they refused to wait until foaling season is over. Now the BLM will round them up and jeopardize their ability to peacefully birth their babies.”

The helicopter roundup will endanger more than 96 foals counted in April 2012 as well as the newborns and pregnant mares carrying the unborn.

In March 2012, Joan Guilfoyle, BLM wild horse and burro division chief, announced to the world they would use a new method to capture mustangs—bait trapping. Now the government agency is demonstrating their double speak and lack of human care for America’s wild horses. The roundups, funded by Congress, continue.

“The BLM obviously doesn’t care about the welfare of pregnant mares and tiny foals,” states Novak. “Stampeding them will cause spontaneous abortions and newborn foals won’t be able to keep up. Will they be separated from their mamas and left out there to die?”

Protect Mustangs is calling on Americans to contact their senators and representatives because theses wild horses belong to all Americans. Members of the public are encouraged to ask their elected officials intervene–to stop the Jackson Mountain foaling season roundup and bring America’s indigenous horses aid if needed.

The preservation group also suggests voicing concerns to Nevada’s Congressman Joe Heck 202-225-3252 (fax 202-225-3252) and Senator Dean Heller 202-224-6244 (fax 202-224-6244).

Protect mustangs feels the BLM’s estimate of 930 wild horses is inflated to justify a massive roundup. The entire capture area is more than 775,000 acres including the 286,000 acres within the Jackson Mountain Herd Management Area.

“The BLM is using the drought as an excuse to clear out wild horses while risking their death,” explains Novak. “They are leaving livestock on the same allegedly drought afflicted land to graze, so BLM’s actions don’t make any sense. It just shows how the government agency wants to dispose of America’s icons.”

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.

 # # #

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 NBC affiliate News 4 reports: Wild horse advocates say the BLM jeopardized public process http://www.mynews4.com/news/local/story/Wild-horse-advocates-say-the-BLM-jeopardized/a8kN1TVKZ0WLiaEBaISvDA.cspx

KPFA Evening News, KFCF Fresno, KPFK Los Angeles, WBAI New York, KPFT Houston, WPFW Washington, DC  Protect Mustangs says the Nevada BLM jeopardizes public process, privacy and free speech http://www.kpfa.org/archive/id/81120  report at 22:35 on the link.

BLM’s plans for bait trapping ~ Gone Viral ~ Las Vegas Review Journal Land managers try new method to capture mustangs http://bit.ly/HKKIrL

America’s wild horses are indigenous: http://protectmustangs.org/?page_id=562

Helicopter roundup video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_dhnqCijOk&feature=plcp

Tweet Congress: http://tweetcongress.org/

Contact elected officials: http://www.usa.gov/Contact/Elected.shtml

Burning Man: http://www.burningman.com/

Protect Mustangs website: http://protectmustangs.org/

BLM Press Release on the alleged emergency Jackson Mt. roundup: http://www.blm.gov/nv/st/en/info/newsroom/2012/june/winnemucca__blm_to.html

Link to this press release: http://protectmustangs.org/?p=1614

 

Mustang Monday™: Ask for a real public hearing in Nevada

Posted on by
1

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.

 

Evening news interview: BLM Nevada jeopardizing public process, privacy and free speech

Posted on by
2

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.

Good News: California helicopter hearing has been postponed ~ Bad News: Nevada resists transparency

Posted on by
2

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.