Nevada farm bureau, counties sue over wild horses

Cross-posted from the viral Associated Press article published in the San Francisco Chronicle for educational purposes: http://www.sfgate.com/news/science/article/Nevada-farm-bureau-counties-sue-over-wild-horses-5136697.php

Photo James Marvin Phelps / Foter.com / CC BY-NC

Photo James Marvin Phelps / Foter.com / CC BY-NC

RENO, Nev. (AP) — Two Nevada organizations have sued the federal government, alleging mismanagement of wild horses led to excessive damage to rangelands and the animals themselves.

The Nevada Farm Bureau Federation and the Nevada Association of Counties named Interior Secretary Sally Jewell, the Interior Department and the Bureau of Land Management as defendants in their lawsuit filed Dec. 30 in U.S. District Court in Nevada.

BLM spokeswoman Celia Boddington declined to comment on Sunday. “It’s under review,” she said.

The groups accuse the government of failing to comply with the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971, which requires the BLM to protect the “natural ecological balance of all wildlife species” on public lands and to remove “excess” horses and burros from the range.

They argue the BLM should “destroy” horses that are deemed unadoptable, the Elko Daily Free Press reported (http://bit.ly/1eNObmf ). The BLM has opposed the sale of horses for slaughter.

The agency has removed nearly 100,000 horses from the Western range over the last decade, citing the requirements of the 1971 federal law. Horses passed over for adoption are sent to long-term facilities in the Midwest.

But the number of horses gathered last year declined as the BLM deals with budget constraints and a lack of capacity at short- and long-term holding facilities.

In addition to damaging public land and threatening private water rights, the government’s wild horse program is “first and foremost” detrimental to horses, according to the lawsuit.

“Free-roaming horse and burro herds in Nevada are frequently observed to be in malnourished condition, with the ribs and skeletal features of individual animals woefully on view and other signs of ill-health readily observable,” the complaint states.

Anne Novak, executive director of the horse advocacy group Protect Mustangs, said most wild herds are “healthy and fit,” and the groups’ claim that they are in poor condition appears to be a “skewed effort” to justify killing them because they don’t want to share water.

Some 1.75 million head of livestock grazing on public land outnumber wild horses by more than 50-to-1 and cause most of the range damage, she added.

“The plaintiffs have an arrogant sense of entitlement,” Novak told The Associated Press. “I’m grateful the American public will see how the plaintiffs allegedly intend on denying native wild horses the right to water and are requesting BLM destroy the majority of the roundup survivors. Their lawsuit will rally more voters to fight for wild horses to remain wild and free for future generations.”

Representatives of the two groups did not immediately respond to phone calls seeking comment Sunday.

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Information from: Elko Daily Free Press, http://www.elkodaily.com

Please comment at the San Francisco Chronicle article here

 

Wyoming’s New Groundwater Testing Program a ‘Model for the Nation’

 

CASPER, WYO — The Wyoming Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, including Gov. Matt Mead, gave unanimous final approval on Tuesday to new statewide rules that will require oil and gas drillers to scientifically establish and monitor the quality of groundwater around sites prior to, during, and after oil and gas development.

Environmental Defense Fund and the Wyoming Outdoor Council applaud this action, which they say establishes a groundwater testing standard that is a model for the nation.

“Governor Mead, his appointees and staff have shown great leadership in this effort,” said Richard Garrett, energy policy analyst with the Wyoming Outdoor Council. “The governor is right — and just about everyone agrees — collecting baseline water quality data prior to drilling, and following up with post completion sampling, are necessary steps. This rule will help protect everyone: landowners, Wyoming citizens, and industry.”

Mead said he wants the rule to be implemented and enforced by March 1.

“Wyoming should be proud of this rule,” Jon Goldstein, EDF senior energy policy manager said. “It sets a new national standard for groundwater baseline testing and monitoring related to oil and gas activity. The open, inclusive approach the state took in formulating this proposal has led to a strong, scientifically valid groundwater testing program. This rule will give Wyoming residents important information about the quality of their water.”

Wyoming’s new rule will be applied statewide. It will require that companies use a “radial approach” to sampling wells (testing drinking water sources within a half mile radius of new oil and gas wells) without an artificial cap on the number of wells tested, and it includes a required Sampling and Analysis Protocol (SAP) to ensure that procedures and parameters are consistently implemented.

Wyoming’s proposed SAP is currently the most detailed guidance provided by any state regarding how private wells should be sampled, the groups say.

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Environmental Defense Fund (edf.org), a leading national nonprofit organization, creates transformational solutions to the most serious environmental problems. EDF links science, economics, law, and innovative private-sector partnerships. Connect with us on Twitter, Facebook and our Energy Exchange Blog.

The Wyoming Outdoor Council (wyomingoutdoorcouncil.org) is Wyoming’s oldest independent conservation organization. The Wyoming Outdoor Council’s mission is to protect Wyoming’s environment and quality of life for future generations.

BLM ensures wild horses will have water

Cross-posted from the Elko Daily Free Press
October 11, 2013 4:45 pm  •  By DYLAN WOOLF HARRIS 

ELKO — Reports that wild horses were without water prompted local Bureau of Land Management to investigate this week.

Contracted water hauler Jackie Wiscombe told the county commission Wednesday that the federal government shutdown had prohibited her from watering wild horses in Ruby Valley and Deer Springs, an area about 15 miles north of Currie.

She said she was concerned the animals were dying of thirst. The road to Deer Springs had been washed out, Wiscombe added, and she was unable to drive to the guzzlers.

Alerted by the news, BLM Elko District Director Jill Silvey said an employee was sent to Deer Springs to check on water and horse conditions.

The BLM employee was able to get to Deer Springs on a road that had some washout but was passable, Silvey said. The employee also reported that the horse guzzler still had water.

The employee didn’t see any horses, but because water was available, she said, the BLM believes the horses to be in good shape.

Silvey was unsure where the communication broke down, but said hauling water to the horses is an essential service and the BLM didn’t intend for Wiscombe to stop watering the two areas.

Wiscombe said she was contacted Thursday night and told that she should have received an email and voice message when the shutdown began, telling her to continue hauling water.

Wiscombe is also unsure how the miscommunication occurred, but couldn’t recall getting an email.

In any event, Wiscombe said she’s glad to be working with the agency again.

“I like working with this BLM office,” she said, “and they really do care about these wild horses.”

Mostly, she’s happy to be watering horses again.

On Friday she hauled water to Ruby Valley where the tubs were “bone dry.”

Wiscombe said she didn’t see any horses but did find fresh horse tracks near the guzzlers.

“I filled them up,” she said. “And I’ll go fill them back up in a few days.”

Commissioner Demar Dahl said Wednesday he could help fix a road if it was impassable.

Wiscombe said she would keep in contact with the commission if the road needed repair.

The Elko District BLM office is closed. Almost all of its employees have been on furlough since Oct. 1, when the federal government shut down.

Link to the Elko Daily Free Press: http://elkodaily.com/news/blm-horses-have-water/article_3abd77c2-32cf-11e3-9b92-0019bb2963f4.html?comment_form=true

Shutdown leaves legendary mustangs without water

BLM contractor told to stop hauling water to wild horses

Nevada mustang © Carl Mrozek

Nevada mustang © Carl Mrozek

As seen in the Elko Daily News on October 10, 2013

ELKO — While Washington politicks over a government shutdown, wild horses on the range could be dying of thirst.

Carlin resident Jackie Wiscombe, who for the past two years has contracted with the Bureau of Land Management to haul water to horses, said she’s been told to stop.

“Due to the government shutdown, these animals are in dire consequences of no water available,” she said. “… They are basically dependent on water being hauled to them.”

Wiscombe had watered an area 15 miles north of Currie and another in Ruby Valley about every five days. She was going to continue hauling water to the horses through the end of November, she said.

On Wednesday, she informed the county commission, saying horses could very well be dying.

Commissioners — who commended Wiscombe for bringing the issue to light — were worried about the horses and frustrated by the apparent lack of contingency planning by those in charge.

“What I’m concerned about is who’s responsible for these kind of management decisions?” Commissioner Demar Dahl said, “where you’d make the decision to start watering these horses, and then we say, ‘OK, now because we’re shut down, quit drinking.’”

Dahl wanted to know how many horses are left without water and dying.

“It doesn’t matter whether you love horses or hate horses,” he said. “It’s just egregious to think that you’re going to put them in a position where they depend on you and then walk away.”

Washed out roads complicated the problem, Wiscombe said. One spot hadn’t been watered for about a month because the road was impassable.

“We could go investigate and find out if they are dying. If they are, the county has a water truck, we can go haul water out there,” Dahl said.

The county also has a bulldozer, he added, to level washed out roads.

However, a county water-hauling project would need to be approved as an agenda item, according to County Manager Rob Stokes. If residents decided to haul water with private equipment, though, it wouldn’t be a county issue.

Dahl said he planned to fly an airplane over the two spots Thursday to see if he could tell how many horses were in need of water. Dahl and Commissioner Jeff Williams both own dozers, which they said could fix the road depending on its condition.

Rainstorms provide temporary puddles for the horses to drink, Wiscombe said, but the land won’t hold water for long.

Due to the shutdown, calls to the BLM state office and U.S. Department of Interior went unanswered.

Please comment here.

Elko Daily News article: http://elkodaily.com/news/shutdown-leaves-horses-without-water/article_bbf23580-31f3-11e3-aa90-0019bb2963f4.html

October 1st Protect Mustangs warned the feds would neglect the wild horses in captivity http://protectmustangs.org/?p=5280 . Apparently the BLM is neglecting their life or death care in the field as well.

9/23 National Call-In Day to Stop BLM from Wiping Out Checkerboard Wild Horses in Wyoming

 

Share and TAKE ACTION today for Wyoming’s wild horses!

It’s MUSTANG MONDAY™! Contact Congress here: http://www.contactingthecongress.org/

National CALL-IN day is Monday, September 23rd! CALL and Ask your Congressional Representative and 2 Senators to STOP the WIPE OUT!

Wyoming’s wild horses must not end up in the SLAUGHTER Pipeline!!!

They deserve their land and their freedom! Send your comments in to BLM! Info here: http://protectmustangs.org/?p=5084 Canned comments don’t count! Please write your own and remember there is “No Evidence” of overpopulation according to the National Academy of Sciences. Request a Moratorium on Roundups for Population Studies!

The Wyoming travesty was mentioned in GASLAND 2. See the movie (http://www.gaslandthemovie.com) and share it with your friends.

SAVE Wyoming’s wild horses! They belong to all Americans because they are under federal control.

And WILD HORSE WEDNESDAY™ Let’s live chat the Secretary of the Interior and ASK for a MORATORIUM on Roundups for population studies because we need SCIENCE before any action! http://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDOI/bulletins/8be168#.UjydSFTKRBM.twitter

Sign the petition to STOP the Roundups! http://www.change.org/petitions/defund-and-stop-the-wild-horse-burro-roundups

 

Watch and Share GASLAND 2 http://www.gaslandthemovie.com/

 

 

BLM’s failed attempt to sprinkle away heat wave despite requests for shade

BLM Nevada News
Nevada State Office No. 13-23
For Release:  June 28, 2013 
Contact: Heather Jasinski, (775) 861-6594, hlemmons@blm.gov
 Inline image 1
Palomino Valley Wild Horse and Burro Center Installs Sprinklers to Mitigate Effects of Heat Wave
Reno, Nev. – In expectation of continued three-digit temperatures this weekend and to address public concerns, the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Palomino Valley Center outside Reno is installing sprinklers to three of the large, outside wild horse pens and five mare/foal pens as a stop-gap measure to attempt to reduce heat levels inside the corrals. BLM staff will observe how the animals respond to the sprinklers, which could include avoidance, or chewing on and rubbing against the sprinklers, which are foreign structures to the animals.
The use of shade shelters in corrals has been considered and evaluated by BLM numerous times. Current policy is based on the following principles:
– Wild horses and burros are accustomed to open environments and when their nutritional demands are met, they do well against the natural elements, including sun, rain, snow, and hot and cold temperatures.  At Palomino Valley, the animals are fed hay each day; mineral blocks are available in each pen; and a continuous supply of water is available via automatic waterers.
– Open corrals with plenty of sunlight have proven to be the best way to minimize disease-causing organisms.  The BLM’s open corrals enable the drying effects of the sun and wind to take effect.  The corrals are sloped to minimize the pooling of precipitation in the pens and to allow it to channel to the exterior of the facility.
– Due to the temperament of the animals, the social hierarchy between the animals, and their unfamiliarity with shelters, the BLM feels that corrals without shelters are the safest approach.  Shelters could create a potential obstacle for animals running and playing in the corrals, and cause significant injuries. The BLM has wind breaks and/or shelters for sick animals.  The “sick pens” do not have the same safety issues because the animals are in a smaller area with limited pressure from other animals.
Weather conditions, as well as determining the most appropriate way to address the needs of the animals, vary across the country.  What works well and is needed for a small facility in the Midwest may not be necessary or work well for a large facility in Southern California or Nevada.  Each facility uses methods compatible with local animal husbandry practices to provide the best solution for maintaining the large numbers of animals for which the BLM provides care. Nonetheless, plans are underway for the BLM to consult the scientific research community to inform future options on this issue.
The Palomino Valley Center, located about 20 miles north of Reno, is the largest BLM preparation and adoption facility in the country with a capacity of 1,850 animals.  It serves as the primary preparation center for wild horses and burros gathered from the public lands in Nevada and nearby states.  Visitors wishing to adopt are encouraged to call the Center prior to arrival at (775) 475-2222. Public hours for visiting are held Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. and on the first Saturday of each month from 8 a.m.-noon.
Photo caption: At the BLM’s Palomino Valley Wild Horse and Burro Center outside Reno, a sprinkler attached to the panel of a large wild horse pen sprays water while horses eat in the distance.
-BLM-


Heather Emmons Jasinski 
Public Affairs Officer
Bureau of Land Management 

1340 Financial Blvd. 

Reno, NV 89502
775.861.6594 | hlemmons@blm.gov

Water Wars: Mining vs Wild Horses

Old Gold during roundup (Photo © Cat Kindsfather, all rights reserved.)

Old Gold during roundup (Photo © Cat Kindsfather, all rights reserved.)

Wild horses are removed due to drought but water can be used for mining?
Please send your comments in to request water be allocated to wild horses and roundups in the region stopped before any mines be allowed to take the water from the aquifers during an alleged drought.

BLM Seeks Public Comment on Proposed

Arturo Mine Project Draft EIS

ELKO, Nev.–The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Tuscarora Field Office announces the release of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for Barrick-Dee Mining Venture’s Arturo Mine Project proposal to expand the Dee Gold Mine located approximately 45 miles northwest of Elko, Nev.  The notice opens a 45-day public review and comment period that will end March 4, 2013.

A public meeting will be held Feb. 6 at the Elko District Office, from 4 – 6 p.m. The Elko District Office is located at 3900 E. Idaho St., Elko, Nevada.

The proposed project would be located at the previously authorized Dee Gold Mine site.  The proposal includes the expansion of the existing open pit, construction of two new waste-rock disposal storage facilities, construction of a new heap-leach facility, and the construction of new support facilities.  The proposed project would create approximately 2,774 acres of surface disturbance on public land.  The life of the project is estimated to be approximately 10 years of mining and ore processing followed by three years of site closure and reclamation.  The proposed project would provide an estimated 240 jobs.

Comments received during the scoping period in June 2010 were addressed and evaluated, and appropriate issues are incorporated into the draft EIS as project alternatives.  These alternatives include partial pit backfilling, a single waste-rock storage facility, no-action alternative, and the proposed project.  The preferred alternative for the Arturo draft EIS is the proposed project.

Copies of the Draft EIS are available at the BLM Elko District Office and also online at the BLM Elko District Web site address:  www.blm.gov/rv5c

Comments should be mailed to:  Bureau of Land Management, Arturo Mine Project, Attention:  John Daniel, 3900 Idaho Street, Elko, NV 89801-4611; emailed to: BLM_NV_ELDOArturoEISComments@blm.gov; or faxed to (775) 753-0255.  Questions concerning this project should be addressed to John Daniel at the above address or by phone at (775) 753-0277.

Before including your address, phone number or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment – including your personal identifying information – may be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.

-BLM-