#BREAKING: Protect Mustangs calls for an end to animal cruelty

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Conversation about fertility control with Brett Hass, retired biologist previously with NSA (part 1)

Don’t let pesticides like Gonacon™, PZP or SpayVac® manage native wild horses to extinction. The Spin Dr.’s and some ignorant horse advocates are pushing fertility control on underpopulated wild horses. Know the truth and expose those spewing the spin.

PM Gonacon Pesticide Fact Sheet

Read the entire Gonacon™ Pesticide Fact Sheet

Interview

John Cox: Brett, you’re a retired biologist, previously with the NSA for how many years?

Brett Hass: 46 long years John. We met in Vietnam, when we a lot younger my friend (smiles). We were doing wildlife and vegetation studies in your AO (area of operations). That was my first assignment with the NSA, as a matter of fact.

John Cox: Let’s cut through all of that. What do you think of Gonacon™ and some of the other fertility controls BLM is using?

Brett Hass: As usual, and as government agencies do and BLM and DOI are extremely guilty, they pretend that science guides its wild horse and burro management strategies. So the agencies involved go forth and resolve issues, supposedly, with experimental drugs–in this case GonaCon™. The question is, in reality, does it resolve anything at all, or is it simply to further experimentations with this drug and the wild horses the most expendable of situations currently?

The problem is very obvious, with the first-time use of an experimental drug, they act like children with a new toy–but this toy is extremely dangerous, to not only the horses and actually lead them to extinction, but the environmental consequences are apparently neglected entirely? (shakes his head negatively). . .

But let’s get real, the very absence of science contradicts any time of sound reasoning for its use whatsoever. So once again we have a government agency, using a Nazi-Type experimental fertility drug on horses and other wildlife–without knowing, or even acknowledging for that matter, what the long-term consequences are–or in perception–the problems that will arise in its actual use.

There is no resolution, as I reviewed the population situation and see first hand there is no over-population if wild horses just within the BLM numbers alone; but livestock, that is a completely different matter, in reality.

John Cox: In your appraisal of the information you’ve read, would you, as a tenured Wildlife Biologist for over 50 years, use this drug?

Brett Hass: Absolutely not! There is no pertinent reasoning to use it right now and especially on wild horses or much of anything else for that matter. Our wildlife and environment is simply too important to be so frivolous with such activity, especially an unknown situation, as fertility drugs used in our natural environment. But as you say, ignorance is quite something, and our government seems to portray ignorance quite well, and frankly the only situation they seem to be competent to accomplish.

Much more on this discussion with Brett Hass later . . .

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Below is the original PZP Pesticide Fact Sheet before HSUS seems to have lobbied the EPA to make changes to the chemical class. It’s still only approved as a pesticide to manage pests. PZP is made from slaughterhouse pig ovaries mixed with modified freund’s complete adjuvant.

PM PZP Test mares

(American wild horses used in fertility control experiments)

© John Cox, printed with permission

John Cox is a Vietnam Vet, living in the mountains of the Pacific Northwest who writes about the environment. He’s passionate about saving America’s wild horse herds and wolves. 

Read John Cox’s blog at: https://prophoto7journal.wordpress.com

Have you read about the Gonacon™ Experiment on the Water Canyon herd and the UNLUCKY 11 orphans? It all started as a PZP proposal and went down the slippery slope. . .  Read about it here: http://protectmustangs.org/?p=8488





Secretary Jewell speaks about connecting young adults to public land at University of California at Berkeley March 26th

Is anyone going early with signs to protest the abuses to our public lands?

Secretary Sally Jewell Photo by BLM

Secretary Sally Jewell Photo by BLM

BERKELEY, CA – On Thursday, March 26, 2015, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell will discuss the future of the National Park Service and the importance of connecting young adults to America’s public lands as part of the University of California at Berkeley’s annual Horace M. Albright Lecture in Conservation. Albright was a key supporter of the creation of the National Park System and the second director of the National Park Service.

President of the University of California Janet Napolitano and historian Douglas Brinkley will join Jewell in a panel discussion on “America’s Two Best Ideas: Public Education & Public Lands.”

This event is part of UC Berkeley’s initiative—America’s Best Idea: The Next 100 Years—a partnership with the National Park Service and National Geographic Society to support national parks and protected lands for future generations.

The discussion will be webcast live and archived for future viewing.

Who: Sally Jewell, Secretary of the Interior
Janet Napolitano, President of the University of California
Douglas Brinkley, Historian

What: Panel Discussion on “America’s Two Best Ideas: Public Education & Public Lands”

When: Thursday, March 26, 2015, at 7:00 p.m. PDT

Where: Wheeler Hall, UC Berkeley Campus 2222 Bancroft Way, Berkeley, CA 94720

Media: Credentialed members of the media must RSVP by 12:00 p.m. PDT on Wednesday, March 25 to Ann Guy at (510) 301-2646

Equine reproductive immunology Ph.D speaks out in 2010 against using PZP on wild horses

Native Wild Horses (Photo © Cynthia Smalley, all rights reserved)

Native Wild Horses (Photo © Cynthia Smalley, all rights reserved)

November 27, 2010 

Jared Bybee, Wild Horse and Burro Specialist 

Department of the Interior 

Bureau of Land Management 

Billings Field Office 

5001 Southgate Drive 

Billings, Montana 59101-4669 

VIA FAX: 406-896-5281 

RE: Pryor Mountain Wild Horse Range Fertility Control Preliminary Environmental 
Assessment Tiered to the Pryor Mountain Wild Horse Range Environmental Assessment 
and Herd Management Area Plan May 2009 EA DOI-BLM-MT-0010-2011-0004-EA 

Dear Jared Bybee: 

Background 

I appreciate the opportunity to submit comments on the Pryor Mountain Wild Horse Range 
Fertility Control Preliminary Environmental Assessment Tiered to the Pryor Mountain Wild 
Horse Range Environmental Assessment and Herd Management Area Plan May 2009 EA DOI-
BLM-MT-0010-2011-0004-EA. My background is in equine reproductive immunology and 
wildlife conservation. I applaud the Billings Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management 
(BLM) for a thoughtful approach to this issue. Cover letter 4700 (010.JB) dated November 1. 
2010 and signed by James M. Sparks, Field Manager states that the BLM would consider 
comments and revision to the EA or unsigned FONSI as appropriate. I urge a “no action 
alternative” as outlined on page 7 and 8 of the EA. This request is based on two pieces of new 
scientific evidence about effects of current immuno-contraception use. 

Porcine Zona Pellucida (PZP) Contraception 

The proposed action as stated on page 7 of this EA would exempt “mares ages 5-10 unless they 
have produced foals, or are part of a large bloodline.” This is reminiscent of the approach taken 
with the Assateague Island wild horse population. It is a compromise approach to this issue, in 
comparison to placing all mares on PZP. However a recent study shows that mitochondrial DNA 
diversity is low in the Assateague Island horse herd (Eggert et al. 2010). Since mitochondrial 
DNA is inherited from the mother (mare), this is evidence that female inherited genetics on 
Assateague Island wild horses is under represented. It is imperative that this be assessed before 
rolling out a similar management plan for the Pryor Mountain wild horses. 

There is a recent Princeton University study on PZP effects. Consecutive PZP applications, 
analogous to the proposed action plan in this EA, showed that mares gave birth later in the 
season, and were cycling into the fall months (Nunez et al. 2010). In a state like Montana where 

freezing temperatures are found in the fall, this can have serious and long term effects on foal 
survivorship. 

I must include a statement on long term consecutive use of PZP. Any form of PZP contraception 
is not completely reversible in mares depending on the length of use of PZP. Contraception can 
only be reversed when the antibody titer decreases to 50-60% of the positive reference sera (Liu 
et al. 2005). Mares treated for 7 consecutive years do not return to viable fertility (Kirkpatrick 
and Turner 2002; Kirkpatrick et al. 2009). The issue of reversible contraception is very important 
to be able to maintain wild equines in the United States. Long term treatment with PZP has 
inherent negative potential for this herd. 

I am requesting a new look at the proposed fertility control action for the Pryor Mountain wild 
horses. 

Sincerely, 

Christine DeCarlo, Ph.D. 

Lori S. Eggert, David M. Powell, et al. (2010). "Pedigrees and the Study of the Wild Horse 
Population of Assateague Island National Seashore." Journal of Wildlife Management 
74(5): 963-973. 

J. F. Kirkpatrick, A. Rowan, et al. (2009). "The practical side of immunocontraception: zona 
proteins and wildlife." J Reprod Immunol 83(1-2): 151-7. 

J. F. Kirkpatrick and A. Turner (2002). "Reversibility of action and safety during pregnancy of 
immunization against porcine zona pellucida in wild mares (Equus caballus)." Reprod 
Suppl 60: 197-202. 

I. K. Liu, J. W. Turner, Jr., et al. (2005). "Persistence of anti-zonae pellucidae antibodies 
following a single inoculation of porcine zonae pellucidae in the domestic equine." 
Reproduction 129(2): 181-90. 

Cassandra M. V. Nunez, James S. Adelman, et al. (2010). "Immunoctraception in Wild Horses 
(Equus caballus) Extends Reproductive Cycling Beyond the Normal Breeding Season." 
PLos ONE 5(10): 1-10.

(Posted for educational purposes)

The Department of Interior’s plan to manage wild horses to extinction began in 2009

DOI & BLM Press Release
Contacts: Frank Quimby (DOI) , 202-208-6416
Tom Gorey (BLM) , 202-912-7420

Secretary Salazar Seeks Congressional Support for Strategy to Manage Iconic Wild Horses

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar today proposed a national solution to restore the health of America’s wild horse herds and the rangelands that support them by creating a cost-efficient, sustainable management program that includes the possible creation of wild horse preserves on the productive grasslands of the Midwest and East. (Today the majority of America’s wild horses are held captive in long-term holding in the Midwest except for those who have been sold out the back door to slaughter.)

“The current path of the wild horse and burro program is not sustainable for the animals, the environment, or the taxpayer,” Salazar said in a letter outlining his proposals to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and eight other key members of Congress with jurisdiction over wild horse issues.  Salazar said he is “proposing to develop new approaches that will require bold efforts from the Administration and from Congress to put this program on a more sustainable track, enhance the conservation for these iconic animals, and provide better value for the taxpayer.” (Former Secretary Salazar was Tom Davis’ neighbor wasn’t he? Tom Davis –alleged pro-slaughter fellow–can’t tell anyone where the 1,700 wild horses went that he purchased from BLM for $10 each. Salazar threatened to “punch out” reporter Dave Phillips when he asked Salazar what happened to the wild horses sold to Davis.)

Bob Abbey, Director of Interior’s Bureau of Land Management (BLM), commended the Secretary for his initiative, saying, “The proposals we are unveiling today represent a forward-looking, responsive effort to deal with the myriad challenges facing our agency’s wild horse and burro program.”  Abbey added, “We owe wild horses and burros on Western rangelands high-quality habitat. We owe the unadopted wild horses and burros in holding good care and treatment.  And we owe the American taxpayer a well-run, cost-effective wild horse program. Today’s package of proposals will achieve those ends.” (Bob Abbey retired.)

The challenges to the BLM associated with maintaining robust wild horse populations in the West have been recognized by the Senate Appropriations Committee, which has warned that program costs have risen beyond sustainable levels and directed the BLM to prepare a long-term plan for the program.  The Government Accountability Office also found the program to be at a “critical crossroads,” affirmed the need to control off-the-range holding costs, and recommended that the BLM work with Congress to find a responsible way to manage the increasing number of unadopted horses.  In response to Congressional direction, Salazar’s proposals aim to achieve a “truly national solution” to a traditionally Western issue.

In four decades under the BLM’s protection, wild horses that were fast disappearing from the American scene are now experiencing rapid growth.  Secretary Salazar noted that some 37,000 wild horses and burros, which have virtually no natural predators, roam in 10 Western states, where arid rangelands and watersheds “cannot support a population this large without significant damage to the environment.” (What about livestock that outnumbers wild horses and burros at more than 50 to 1?)

The BLM works to achieve an ecological balance on the range by removing thousands of wild horses and burros from public rangelands each year and then offering them for adoption.   Unadopted animals are cared for in short-term corrals and long-term pastures.  With the sharp decline in wild horse adoptions in recent years because of the economic downturn, the Bureau now maintains nearly 32,000 wild horses and burros in holding, including more than 9,500 in expensive short-term corrals.  In the most recent fiscal year (2009), which ended September 30, holding costs were approximately $29 million, or about 70 percent of the total 2009 enacted wild horse and burro program budget of $40.6 million.  (Note: the 2013 budget was more than $75 million)

A key element of the Secretary’s plan, designed to address concerns raised by the Senate Appropriations Committee and the Government Accountability Office, would designate a new set of wild horse preserves across the nation.  Citing limits on forage and water in the West because of persistent drought and wildfire, Salazar said the lands acquired by the BLM and/or its partners “would provide excellent opportunities to celebrate the historic significance of wild horses, showcase these animals to the American public, and serve as natural assets that support local tourism and economic activity.”  The wild horse herds placed in these preserves would be non-reproducing.

In his letter, Salazar also proposed:

  • Managing the new preserves either directly by the BLM or through cooperative agreements between the BLM and private non-profit organizations or other partners to reduce the Bureau’s off-the-range holding costs.  This coordinated effort would harness the energy of wild horse and burro supporters, whose enthusiasm would also be tapped to promote wild horse adoptions at a time when adoption demand has softened.
  • Showcasing certain herds on public lands in the West that warrant distinct recognition with Secretarial or possibly congressional designations.  These would highlight the special qualities of America’s wild horses while generating eco-tourism for nearby rural communities.
  • Applying new strategies aimed at balancing wild horse and burro population growth rates with public adoption demand.  This effort would involve slowing population growth rates of wild horses on Western public rangelands through the aggressive use of fertility control, the active management of sex ratios on the range, and perhaps even the introduction of non-reproducing herds in some of the BLM’s existing Herd Management Areas in 10 Western states. The new strategies would also include placing more animals into private care by making adoptions more flexible where appropriate.

Noting that his proposals are subject to Congressional approval and appropriations, Salazar said he and Director Abbey look forward to discussing them with members of Congress “as we work together to protect and manage America’s ‘Living Legends.’”

A copy of the letter is online at www.blm.gov. For background information on the national wild horse and burro program, please visit the BLM’s Website at www.blm.gov.

The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land, the most of any Federal agency. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. The BLM’s mission is to manage and conserve the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations under our mandate of multiple-use and sustained yield. In Fiscal Year 2013, the BLM generated $4.7 billion in receipts from public lands.
–BLM–

Secretary Jewell wants to push fertility control on native wild horses before scientific studies.

 

Sally Jewell, Fortune Live Media / Foter.com / CC BY-ND

Sally Jewell, Fortune Live Media / Foter.com / CC BY-ND

 

The Live Chat transcript shows Secretary Jewell wants to push birth control and other methods before science.

The “birth control” The Secretary refers to is a restricted use pesticide, a type of PZP made from pigs ovaries, that is so risky it is not approved for domestic horses.

 

PM Pesticides Sign  Colin Grey : Foter.com : CC BY-SA

The National Academy of Sciences reported there is “no evidence” of overpopulation. Protect Mustangs is calling for a moratorium on roundups for scientific population studies.  Why is Secretary Jewell pushing the pesticide?

Transcript:

>> GOOD AFTERNOON. I’M TIM FULLERTON AT THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. WE WANT TO WELCOME YOU TO THE ROOF HERE IN WASHINGTON, D.C. WE’RE GOING TO DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT TODAY AND GIVE YOU SOME OF OUR GREAT PUBLIC LANDS BEHIND US WITH THE WASHINGTON MONUMENT. WE ARE FORTUNATE TO HAVE SECRETARY SALLY JEWELL WITH US TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS OVER THE NEXT HALF HOUR ON A VARIETY OF TOPICS. SATURDAY WILL BE THE 20TH TIME WE HAD THE PUBLIC LANDS DAY, WHICH IS A BIG DAY ACROSS THE COUNTRY. HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE VOLUNTEER. SO FEEL FREE TO USE THE CHAT ON THE SCREEN AND WE HAVE SOME E- MAIL QUESTIONS AS WELL. FIRST I WANT TO TURN IT OVER TO SECRETARY SALLY JEWELL.

>> THANKS TO ALL OF YOU FOR TUNING INTO THIS LIVE CHAT. IT IS DIFFICULT TO GET AROUND THIS LANDSCAPE AND SEE EVERYBODY. IT IS WONDERFUL TO HAVE COLLEAGUES LIKE TIM THAT FACILITATE TECHNOLOGY SO I GET A CHANCE TO HEAR FROM YOU ABOUT THE WORLD THAT IS THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR. I WANT TO SAY ONE OF MY FAVORITE DAYS OF THE YEAR IS COMING UP ON SATURDAY. OVER THE COURSE OF A NUMBER OF YEARS, I HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF VOLUNTEERING ON OUR PUBLIC LANDS AND I WANT TO THANK THE NATIONAL ENVIRONMENT EDUCATION FOUND — FOUNDATION THAT STARTED IT 20 YEARS AGO SO THAT WE COULD CONNECT SO MANY PEOPLE TO OUR PUBLIC LANDS. I THINK THE VERY FIRST ONE WAS VERY SMALL. WE ARE LOOKING AT 180,000 WELL AND HERE’S — VOLUNTEERS. I WENT ON THEIR WEBSITE BEFORE THIS PRESENTATION TODAY. THEIR TAGLINE IS HELPING HANDS FOR AMERICA’S LANDS. I ENCOURAGE YOU TO GO TO THEIR WEBSITE, PUBLICLANDSDAY.ORG. YOU CAN SEE BY CLICKING ON YOUR STATE WHAT IS HAPPENING CLOSE TO YOU. I HOPE YOU WILL JOIN ME IN GETTING OUT AND DOING A LITTLE SWEAT EQUITY THIS SATURDAY. I GET TO GO TO ATLANTA OR I’M GOING TO BE WORKING ON THE MLK JUNIOR HISTORIC SITE. THAT WILL BE THE CHILDHOOD HOME OF DR. KING. WE’RE GOING TO BE DOING PAINTING AND MULCHING AND PICKING UP GARBAGE. MOST IMPORTANTLY WHEN YOU GET OUT CAN YOU CONNECT, YOU NEVER LOOK AT THAT SITE IN THE SAME WAY. YOU’LL NEVER LOOK AT DR. KING’S MEMORIAL IN THE SAME WAY IF YOU GET OUT AND YOU WORK ON IT. THAT IS TRUE FOR PUBLIC LANDS AROUND THE COUNTRY. I HOPE THAT YOU WILL JOIN, AS PEOPLE DID LAST YEAR, PICKING UP GARBAGE. I THINK WE HAD MANY TONS, 500 TONS LAST YEAR. 23,000 POUNDS OF INVASIVE SPECIES REMOVED. AT THIS TIME OF CLIMATE CHANGE, OF TIGHT BUDGETS, VOLUNTEERS MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE. I HOPE YOU WILL GET OUT AND JOIN ME AND MAYBE TAKE A YOUNG PERSON BY THE HAND AS WELL. WITH THAT LITTLE COMMERCIAL FOR VOLUNTEERING, I WOULD BE DELIGHTED TO TAKE YOUR QUESTIONS. TIM, IF YOU HAVE SOME. FIRE WAY.

>> WE WERE INUNDATED WITH QUESTIONS. THIS ONE IS FROM VIRGINIA. ARE THERE PLANS TO INCREASE ACCESS AND BANDWIDTH TO SOCIAL MEDIA AND MOBILE PHONES THROUGH CELL TOWERS? DO YOU BELIEVE THIS IS A POSITIVE DIRECTION?

>> THANKS FOR THE QUESTION. NO QUESTION WE ARE ALL TIED INTO OUR MOBILE TECHNOLOGY TODAY. ALL CHILDREN ARE SPENDING TIME IN FRONT OF A SCREEN, AND I TALK A LOT ABOUT THAT, I ALSO KNOW MOBILE TECHNOLOGY AND TABLETS AND THINGS LIKE THAT CAN CONNECT US TO THE NATURAL WORLD. ONE OF THE THINGS WE ARE SEEING IN A NUMBER OF NATIONAL PARKS, AND WILDLIFE REFUGEES, IS INTERPRETIVE INFORMATION THAT IS TIED INTO GPS SATELLITES SEE YOU CAN UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU ARE SAYING. THE NATIONAL MALL IS ONE SUCH PLACE WHERE YOU CAN LEARN ABOUT HISTORY BASED ON WHERE YOU ARE WITH A GOOD MOBILE CONNECTION. WHILE IT IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN EVERYWHERE, AND THERE ARE CHALLENGES WITH GETTING CELL PHONE COVERAGE IN SOME OF OUR REMOTE PLACES, I WOULD SAY THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR APPRECIATES THE IMPORTANCE OF TECHNOLOGY AND HOW PEOPLE INTERACT WITH THE NATURAL WORLD AND WITH EACH OTHER. AND SOMETIMES EVEN WHEN YOU AREN’T LISTENING TO AN INTERPRETIVE MESSAGE, YOU WILL FIND PEOPLE GATHERING AROUND TO LISTEN TO THAT SAME MESSAGE. I THINK IT IS A GOOD CALL OUT AND SOMETHING WORTH INVESTING IN WHERE THE BUDGET ALLOWS.

>> I WILL JUST THAT IF YOU ARE LAND ON SATURDAY USING YOUR PHONE TO TAKE PHOTOS, THESE USE THE #NPLD20, SO WE CAN GET OUT THE WORD. THE NEXT QUESTION, WE ARE GOING TO SHIFT TO THE BUDGET QUESTION RIGHT NOW. WE HAVE A LOT OF QUESTIONS ON THIS. THIS ONE IS FROM RACHEL. WHAT CAN WE DO TO KEEP THESE PLACES OPEN AND FUNDED?

>> I APPRECIATE THE QUESTION, RACHEL. IT HAS CERTAINLY BEEN VERY CHALLENGING. THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR, AS WITH OTHER AGENCIES, HAS BEEN OPERATING UNDER A RESOLUTION WITH THE SEQUESTER THAT HAS FORCED TO BUDGET CUTS ACROSS THE BOARD. IN MANY OF OUR FACILITIES, WE SEE THE HIGHEST LEVELS OF VISITATION DURING THE SUMMER. OUR SEASONAL RANGER FOREST AND OUR SEASONAL WILDLIFE BIOLOGIST, A LOT OF TIMES YOUNG PEOPLE WHO ARE LOOKING AT BUILDING CAREERS HAVE BEEN HIT THE HARDEST BY THE SEQUESTER AND THE BUDGET SITUATION. I WOULD SAY ALL OF US NEED TO MAKE THE CASE FOR THE IMPORTANCE OF PUBLIC LANDS. AND THE GOOD WORK THAT IS DONE BY PEOPLE ON PUBLIC LANDS. ONE OF THE THINGS I SAY OFTEN IS WHEN YOU SEE A FEDERAL EMPLOYEE, GIVE THEM A HUG OR SAY THANK YOU. THERE IS A LOT OF NEGATIVE MESSAGES. I CAN TELL YOU THERE IS MANY HARD-WORKING PEOPLE THROUGHOUT THE FEDERAL FAMILY TRYING TO DO GOOD WORK FOR THE COMMON GOOD. FOR TRIBAL NATIONS ACROSS THIS COUNTRY. PUBLIC LANDS AND WILDLIFE AND THE DIVERSITY OF SPECIES AND ENERGY DEVELOPMENT AND WATER AND THINGS PEOPLE CARE ABOUT. YOU NEED TO GIVE BACK TO REGULAR ORDER IN THE BUDGET. WE ALSO WILL PLEDGE TO USE OUR RESOURCES WISELY. I WILL BRING MY BUSINESS EXPERIENCE TO BEAR TO MAKE SURE WE ARE SPENDING OUR MONEY EFFICIENTLY. CAN’T DO IT ON A WEEK TO WEEK BASIS WITH CONTINUING RESOLUTIONS WITHOUT STRATEGY.

>> THANK YOU, SECRETARY JEWELL. THE NEXT QUESTION IS FROM VIRGINIA. THIS IS FROM KEITH. HE IS ASKING WHAT ARE SOME OF THE WAYS THE DEPARTMENT CAN BALANCE ENERGY DEVELOPMENT WITH THE CONSERVATION IN ORDER TO PRODUCE ENERGY AND SUSTAINING OUTDOOR RECREATION?

>> I APPRECIATE A QUESTION. BALANCE IS A KEYWORD. WE ARE MANDATED BY THE VARIOUS LAWS TO BE THOUGHTFUL IN HOW WE USE RESOURCES, PARTICULARLY WITHIN THE BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT AND OCEAN ENERGY MANAGEMENT. THAT IS ONSHORE AND OFFSHORE, WHERE OUR RESOURCES ARE DEVELOPED. BALANCE IS IMPORTANT. THERE ARE PLACES NOBODY WOULD WANT TO SEE DEVELOPMENT. YOU CAN THINK OF SOME OF THE ICONIC SPOTS AROUND THE COUNTRY, THE GRAND CANYON. YELLOWSTONE, YOSEMITE. BUT ALSO THE WILDLIFE REFUGE, WHICH THE PRESIDENT HAS MADE CLEAR IS NOT FOR ENERGY DEVELOPMENT AND YET THE NATIONAL PETROLEUM RESERVE OF ALASKA, WHICH WE ARE WORKING CLOSELY WITH TO OPEN A LOT FOR ENERGY DEVELOPMENTS. WE WANT TO BE THOUGHTFUL. ONE OF THE PRIORITIES I SET IN TERMS OF HOW WE BOOKED AT THE LAND UNDER OUR STEWARDSHIP IS DEVELOPING A LANDSCAPE APPROACH. UNDERSTANDING WHERE ARE THE RESOURCES, WHERE ARE THE SACRED SITES THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO OUR NATION’S FIRST PEOPLE? WHERE ARE THE AREAS THAT ARE CRITICAL HABITAT? HOW CAN WE LOOK AT THAT SO WE FOCUS ON OUR ENERGY DEVELOPMENT WHERE THE CONFLICT IS LOWER? WE CAN PRIORITIZE THOSE AREAS THAT ARE SPECIAL BECAUSE WE CAN SET THEM ASIDE. IT IS COMPLICATED BUT BALANCE IS IMPORTANT AND WE ARE COMMITTED TO BOTH. WE DON’T THINK IT HAS TO BE A TRADE-OFF.

>> THAT LEADS US INTO THE NEXT QUESTION, WE HAVE A LOT OF QUESTIONS AROUND CLIMATE CHANGE AND THE PRESIDENT’S PLAN, SO THIS ONE IS, WHAT IS INTERIOR’S ROLE TO PROMOTE THE PLAN?

>> I AM PROUD TO WORK FOR THE PRESIDENT, WHO STEPPED UP IN FRONT OF A NATIONAL AUDIENCE AND LAID OUT A CLIMATE ACTION PLAN. WE ARE FEELING THE EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY. CERTAINLY IN THE RESOURCES INTERIOR MANAGES, WHETHER IT IS HOT WILDFIRES, AS WE STILL HAVE BURNING, JUST INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK. WHETHER IT IS DROUGHTS OR FLOODS. WE HAVE SEEN ALL OF THEM IN COLORADO THIS YEAR. OUR THOUGHTS ARE WITH PEOPLE IN COLORADO AS THEY DIG OUT FROM THE CHALLENGES THEY HAD. WE DO HAVE CHALLENGES IN WATER SUPPLIES. TOO MUCH IN SOME AND DROUGHTS IN OTHERS. WE HAVE MULTIPLE ROLES, AS YOU MIGHT IMAGINE, WITH ONE IN FIVE ACRES OF LAND. ONE IS TO POWER OUR FUTURE IN NEW WAYS. MY PREDECESSOR AND HIS TEAM DID A FANTASTIC JOB OF STANDING UP RENEWABLE ENERGY PROJECTS ON PUBLIC LAND. THESE ARE PROJECTS THAT CAN REALLY HELP POWER OURSELVES INTO THE FUTURE WITH RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES. THEY ARE BEING DONE IN WAYS THAT PAY ATTENTION TO THE IDEALS ON THE LANDSCAPE AS WE ARE DOING IN THE MOJAVE DESERT. AND THOUGHTFUL MANAGEMENT OF CONVENTIONAL AND UNCONVENTIONAL FOSSIL FUELS, WORKING WITH INDUSTRY TO DEVELOP THOSE AND TO DO THEM IN A MORE EFFECTIVE WAY IN TERMS OF REDUCED CARBON FOR THE ENERGY OUTPUT. CERTAINLY RENEWABLE ENERGY, CERTAINLY CONSERVATION OF RESOURCES AND PREPARING OUR COUNTRY AND OUR LANDSCAPE FOR THE REALITIES OF CLIMATE CHANGE. A QUICK EXAMPLE, HURRICANE SANDY, THE HUGE DEVASTATING IMPACT IN THE NORTHEASTERN PART OF OUR COUNTRY. WHAT WE LEARNED FROM THAT, AND WE CAN SHARE THOSE LESSONS, WHAT MOTHER NATURE KNOWS ABOUT RESILIENT INFRASTRUCTURES AND THE ABILITY TO TAKE THE LESSONS FROM MOTHER NATURE AND APPLY THEM OURSELVES. WE WILL BE DOING THAT IN HURRICANE SANDY MITIGATION. WE WILL BE USING YOUNG PEOPLE, WE ARE USING AN EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY TO SHOW COMMUNITIES WHERE INFRASTRUCTURE WAS SOMETIMES WORSE FOR THE STRUCTURES BEHIND. GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE WAS SOMETIMES BETTER. JUST A LOT GOING ON IN CLIMATE CHANGE. WE HAVE A LOT TO LEARN AND TO SHARE.

>> IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR MORE INFORMATION ON RENEWABLE ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE IN GENERAL, YOU CAN GO TO DOI.GOV, AND GO TO THE WHAT WE DO SECTION. WE HAVE ALL KINDS OF INFORMATION THERE. AND IF YOU’RE JUST JOINING US, I WANT TO REMIND YOU WE ARE SITTING HERE WITH SECRETARY SALLY JEWELL, ANSWERING YOUR QUESTIONS ON A VARIETY OF TOPICS RELATED TO THE DEPARTMENT. WE ARE GOING TO STAY ON THE CLIMATE CHANGE QUESTION. THIS IS FROM JOHN IN OREGON. THE QUESTION IS, WHAT ACTIONS ARE PLANNED TO REDUCE CATASTROPHIC FIRES ON OUR PUBLIC LAND?

>> I APPRECIATE THAT FROM JOHN. I KNOW YOU HAD A SPECTACULAR SUMMER IN THE NOSE — NORTHWEST. INWILDFIRES ARE A GROWING ISSUE. WE HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH YOUR SENATOR AND WITH OTHERS ON CAPITOL HILL AND WITHIN THE ADMINISTRATION ON A LONGER-TERM FIX FOR WILDLAND FIRES. WE TREAT EMERGENCIES LIKE HURRICANES AND EARTHQUAKES AND FLOODS WITH EMERGENCY MONEY BUT WE TEND TO TREAT WILDFIRES WITHIN OUR REGULAR BUDGET. SO WHEN WE HAVE 10 SEASONS, WE END UP FOCUSING ON SUPPRESSION OF THE RESOURCE, PUTTING OUT THE FIRE. IT TAKES MONEY FROM OTHER PARTS OF OUR PROGRAMS, INCLUDING REMOVING HAZARDOUS FUELS. AS WE BECOME SMARTER AS A PEOPLE AND MANAGER, YOU REALIZE NATURAL FIRE IS IMPORTANT TO THE ECOSYSTEM. WHEN WE GO WITHOUT NATURAL FIRES, WE END UP WITH FIRES THAT ARE FAR MORE DEVASTATING. WE WILL BE CLOSING — WORKING WITH THE ADMINISTRATION ON A LONGER-TERM FIX THAT ENABLES US TO BE SMARTER ABOUT TAKING CARE OF THOSE LANDSCAPES, REMOVING FUELS, AND NOT HAVING TO PULL MONEY OUT OF THE BUDGET TO FIGHT FIRES. THE OTHER THING I WANT TO SAY, FOR THOSE PEOPLE WHO LOVE LIVING IN THE WOODS, YOU TAKE ON A PERSON RESPONSIBILITY OF MAKING SURE YOU ARE CLEARING HAZARDS AROUND YOUR STRUCTURE. SO MUCH OF MY MONEY GOES TO PROTECT THE WILDLAND URBAN INTERFACE. I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU TO HELP US OUT BY REMOVING THE HAZARDOUS FUEL ON YOUR PROPERTY.

>> I SEE WE’RE GETTING A LOT OF QUESTIONS ON THE CHAT. WE’RE GOING TO START OFF WITH ONE WE HAD A LOT OF VARIATIONS ON, RELATED TO THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES RELEASING A STUDY ON YOUR WILD HORSE PROGRAM. WHAT DO YOU SEE IS THE FUTURE OF THE PROGRAM?

>> THE CHALLENGE OF HOW TO EFFECTIVELY ADDRESS A GROWING POPULATION OF WILD HORSES IS ONE THAT I KNOW A LOT OF PEOPLE IN THE COUNTRY CARE A LOT ABOUT. AND TEND TO SEND ME A LOT OF LETTERS AND ASK A LOT OF QUESTIONS. I APPRECIATE THAT. I APPRECIATE THE PASSION THERE IS. I ALSO KNOW WE VALIDATED WHAT THE LAND MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATION HAS BEEN SAYING. THE HERDS DOUBLE IN SIZE EVERY 3.5 YEARS. SO THERE WERE RECOMMENDATIONS WITH REGARD TO BIRTH CONTROL. IT IS AN IMPERFECT SOLUTION. THE BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT HAS WORKED TO TRY THAT OUT. I HAVE ENCOURAGED THEM TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THEY CAN DO TO MANAGE THIS, WHERE WE CAN LEARN, NOT ONLY FROM THE NATIONAL ACADEMY BUT ALSO FROM THE PRIVATE SECTOR. ARE THERE MORE EFFECTIVE EARTH CONTROL METHODS INDUSTRY MIGHT BE ABLE TO RESEARCH THAT MAKES THESE THINGS MORE EFFECTIVE? WE HAVE A VERY ACT OF ADOPTION PROGRAM SO THAT — ACTIVE ADOPTION PROGRAM SO THAT IF WE ARE CHALLENGED, WE WOULD LOVE TO FIND GOOD HOMES FOR THEM WHERE THEY ARE EXPANDED BEYOND THE FEDERAL RANGE INTO THE PRIVATE SECTOR. FOR THOSE THAT ARE PASSIONATE, I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU TO THINK OF CONSTRUCTIVE SOLUTIONS. THINK ABOUT OPPORTUNITIES TO WORK WITH THE PRIVATE SECTOR ON BIRTH CONTROL AND OTHER METHODS AND I WILL CONTINUE TO WORK WITH MY COLLEAGUES TO COME UP WITH A SOLUTION THAT IS A LONG-TERM SOLUTION. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON A LONG TIME.

>> THANK YOU, SECRETARY JEWELL. THIS QUESTION IS FROM DAVID. THIS QUESTION IS, WHAT ARE THE DOI PRIORITIES IN REGARDS TO TRUST LANDS AND SHARING DATA WITH TRIBES TO RESTORE HOMELANDS?

>> I APPRECIATE THE QUESTION. I AM COMMITTED TO UPHOLDING OUR TREATY WITH TRIBES. WE HAVE AN ACTIVE EFFORT GOING ON AROUND THE KOVAL SETTLEMENT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ACCELERATE LAND INTO TRUST. I THINK YOU WILL SEE ONGOING ANNOUNCEMENTS ABOUT WHICH AREAS WE ARE FOCUSING ON AS WE TAKE OUR RESOURCES AND CONCENTRATE THEM IN GETTING IT DONE. I DO KNOW WE DO NOT HAVE A PROUD HISTORY AS A GOVERNMENT OF POLICIES THAT HAVE BEEN HELPFUL. SOMETIMES THE OPPOSITE. WITH PRESIDENT OBAMA’S COMMITMENT, WITH MY PREDECESSOR TERRY, — MIGHT PREDECESSOR, — MY PREDECESSOR, WE ARE MAKING SURE WE ARE BRINGING THE WHOLE FEDERAL FAMILY TO THE TABLE TO UNDERSTAND WHAT WE CAN DO AS VARIOUS AGENCIES TO HELP SUPPORT AND ENGAGE IN A WAY THAT TRIBES WANT US TO. SELF-GOVERNMENT, SELF- DETERMINATION ARE VERY IMPORTANT. AROUND GIS MAPPING, WE ARE AT A TIME WHERE WE HAVE CAPACITY TO LEVERAGE MAPPING TOOLS ON A NATIONWIDE SCALE. ONE OF THE PRIORITIES I HAVE LAID OUT HIS AROUND THE LANDSCAPE LEVEL AND USING GIS TOOLS. SO I THINK YOU HAVE SPECIFICS ON HOW IT MIGHT RELATE, WE WOULD BE DELIGHTED TO SEE THAT. IT ALLOWS US TO GET DOWN TO A GRANULAR LEVEL. THE USGS, WHICH IS PART OF THE INTERIOR, IS THE FOCAL POINT FOR THESE TOOLS ON A NATIONWIDE BASIS AND THEY WILL BE WORKING WITH TRIBES. IT IS A GREAT SUGGESTION. I WILL ENCOURAGE MY COLLEAGUES THAT ARE DOING THE LAND TRANSFERS TO TAKE A LOOK AT HOW WE CAN LEVERAGE THOSE TOOLS.

>> I WANT TO REMIND EVERYBODY WE ARE HERE WITH SECRETARY SALLY JEWELL TALKING ABOUT NATIONAL PUBLIC LANDS DAY. IF YOU’RE JUST JOINING US, THIS CHAT WILL BE ARCHIVED AND WILL BE SHARED ON DOI.GOV AND ALSO ON OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL. WE WILL ALSO REMAIN ON THE LIVE STREAM CHANNEL RIGHT NOW FOR THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS SO YOU CAN WATCH IT AFTER THIS IF YOU WOULD LIKE. WE ARE GOING TO MOVE ON TO ANOTHER QUESTION RELATED TO PUBLIC LANDS DAY. THIS IS FROM JIM IN CONNECTICUT. NOT ONLY IS SATURDAY NATIONAL PUBLIC LANDS DAY BUT THE ANNIVERSARY OF NATIONAL HUNTING AND FISHING DAY. WITH ACCESS TO LANDS BECOMING MORE DIFFICULT, DO YOU HAVE PLANS TO EXPAND ACCESS TO PROVIDE MORE OPPORTUNITIES TO ENJOY THE OUTDOORS?

>> WELL, IT IS NONE — NATIONAL HUNTING AND FISHING DAY. AND I HOPE YOU MIGHT BE ABLE TO DO SOME SPORTSMEN ACTIVITY. THEY HAVE BEEN A CORNERSTONE OF PREZ — CONSERVATION FOR MANY DECADES. THEODORE ROOSEVELT RECOGNIZED HEALTHY ECOSYSTEMS ARE CRITICAL ON HAVING THE SHE’S — SPECIES THAT FUELED THE GREAT AMERICAN PASTIME OF HUNTING AND ANGLING AND CONNECT DUST TO THE LANDSCAPES IN WAYS THAT ARE NATURAL FOR US. IN MY PRIOR WORK IN MY OUTDOOR RECREATION INDUSTRY, I CAN TELL YOU THAT OUTDOOR RECREATION IS A HUGE DRIVER OF OUR ECONOMY. SOMETHING UNDER JUST UNDER $650 BILLION A YEAR. SO THANKS FOR THE CALL OUT ABOUT NATIONAL HUNTING INFINITY — FISHING DAY. I HOPE PEOPLE DO ENJOY THIS. ACCESS IS A VERY IMPORTANT PART OF WHAT WE ARE COMMITTED TO DOING. ONE TOOL THAT HAS BEEN HELPFUL FOR 50 YEARS IS THE LAND AND WATER CONSERVATION FUND. THAT IS SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN VERY HELPFUL IN ENABLING US TO BUY EASEMENTS, FOR EXAMPLE, WERE SOMETIMES ARE JUST AS OF LAND THAT ARE CRITICAL FOR HABITAT AND FOUR SPORTSMEN’S ACTIVITIES. SO I ENCOURAGE YOU TO SHARE YOUR SUPPORT, TO TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT IT MIGHT DO WITHIN YOUR OWN STATE, AND IF THESE THINGS ARE IMPORTANT TO YOU, TO CONTINUE TO MAKE THE CASE TO OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS IT IS IMPORTANT WE SUPPORT THE FUND AS WE HAVE REQUESTED IN THE PRESIDENT’S BUDGET.

>> THERE IS A SITE CALLED RECREATION.GOV. FOR HUNTING, FISHING, AND ENJOYING THE PUBLIC LANDS. HIKING, BIKING, CAMPING. ALL OF IT IS THAT RECREATION.GOV. WE HAVE ANOTHER FIVE OR SIX MINUTES. IF YOU HAVE A FINAL QUESTION, SEND THEM IN. THE NEXT ONE IS FROM HARRY IN COLORADO. THE HAVE HEARD ABOUT THE 21ST CENTURY SERVICE CORPS AND HOW IT WILL PROVIDE JOBS FOR THOUSANDS OF YOUNG AMERICANS AND VETERANS WHO WORK ON PUBLIC AND TRIBAL LANDS AND WATER. WHERE DOES THIS FIT WITHIN YOUR PRIORITIES?

>> I APPRECIATE THE COMMENT ON THIS. I AM VERY COMMITTED TO ENGAGING YOUNG PEOPLE. THE CIVILIAN CONSERVATION CORPS, AT A TIME WHEN WE WERE IN WORSE SHAPE THAN WE ARE NOW, CERTAINLY ECONOMICALLY, WAS A TIME WHEN OUR COUNTRY CHOSE TO PUT PEOPLE TO WORK WHERE THEY CONNECTED THEM TO PUBLIC LANDS THAT WE STILL ENJOY TODAY. AND FOR THOSE YOUNG PEOPLE WHO WENT TO WORK ON PUBLIC LANDS, THEY NEVER LOST THAT CONNECTION. THIS IS A DIFFERENT TIME AND PLACE. BUT WE DO HAVE A NETWORK OF CONSERVATION CORPS ALL OVER THE COUNTRY. I HAVE WORKED ALONGSIDE A NUMBER OF THEM. THE 21ST CSC IS GOING TO BE DIFFERENT BECAUSE WE ARE IN A DIFFERENT CORE. WE ARE WORKING ALONGSIDE ORGANIZATIONS LIKE THE STUDENT CONSERVATION AND OTHER NETWORK MEMBERS AROUND THE COUNTRY THAT KNOW THEIR COMMUNITIES AND CONNECT PEOPLE YOUNG AND OLD TO THOSE PUBLIC LANDS IN AREAS THAT MAKE THOSE DOLLARS GO SO MUCH FARTHER. THIS WEEKEND IS A GREAT ILLUSTRATION OF ONE DAY IS ACTUALLY BEING DONE 365 DAYS ACROSS THE COUNTRY. INTERIOR PLAYS A MAJOR ROLE IN THIS. WE HAVE THE PUBLIC LANDS. REGULAR ORDER WITH THE BUDGET WILL ENABLE US TO PUT THE VOLUNTEER COORDINATORS IN PLACE. RIGHT NOW, ANYTIME THE SEQUESTRATION, WE HAVE MORE VOLUNTEERS THAN WE CAN PUT TO WORK BECAUSE OF THE WAY OUR BUDGET IS NOT WORKING RIGHT NOW. SO WE WILL BE GETTING BACK TO REGULAR ORDER, I HOPE. WE WILL BE FOCUSING ON HOW WE CAN LEAN INTO THE COMMUNITIES AND I KNOW FROM EXPERIENCE THAT WHEN PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY PEOPLE WITH LITTLE CONNECTION TO PUBLIC LANDS WORK ON THEM, BUILD A TRAIL, AT SHARK SURE, CLEAN UP GARBAGE, — A STRUCTURE, CLEAN UP GARBAGE, THEY WILL LOOK AT THE LAND, THE BUILDING THEY WORKED ON, I CAN’T THINK OF A BETTER WAY THAN THAT. WE WANT TO BRING BACK MORE YOUTH TIRING. I AM HOPING WE’LL GET PAST SOME OF THE CRAZINESS AROUND OUR BUDGETS AND WASHINGTON, D.C. AND THIS WILL BE A PRIORITY FOR ME.

>> JUST AS A REMINDER IF YOU’RE INTERESTED IN VOLUNTEERING, THERE ARE EVENTS ALL ACROSS THE COUNTRY. GO TO PUBLICLANDSDAY.ORG FOR MORE INFORMATION. THE NEXT QUESTION IS FROM CARL IN CALIFORNIA. WHAT IS THE DEPARTMENT DOING TO INCREASE ACCESS TO THE DISABLED TO OUR LANDS?

>> I APPRECIATE THE QUESTION. IT’S NO QUESTION WE WANT OUR LANDS TO FEEL WELCOMING TO ALL PEOPLE. AND WE KNOW THAT ACCESSIBILITY IS IMPORTANT TO A GOOD PART OF OUR PUBLIC THAT CAN’T ACCESS ALL OF OUR LANDS IF WE DON’T MAKE THEM ACCESSIBLE. IT IS IMPORTANT. I WAS GETTING AN UPDATE TODAY FROM THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE ON SOME OF ITS EFFORTS AROUND FIXING THE CRUMBLING INFRASTRUCTURE, WHAT IS NEEDED TO DO THAT. ONE OF THEIR PRIORITIES WAS AROUND ACCESS. MAKING SURE THINGS ARE ADA ACCESSIBLE. IT IS A PRIORITY, IT ALSO TAKES MONEY. ALL OF THOSE THINGS WE ARE TRYING TO MAKE SURE THE FACILITIES ARE WELCOME AND ACCESSIBLE. THAT IS CERTAINLY GOING ON.

>> WE HAVE TIME FOR TWO MORE QUESTIONS. THE NEXT QUESTION IS FROM AUDREY IN FLORIDA. HER QUESTION IS, OF THE 15 DEPARTMENTS, INTERIOR RANKS ON THE LOWER SIDE FOR DIVERSITY IN THE WORKFORCE. WHY IS THAT AND HOW DO YOU INTEND TO CORRECT IT?

>> THANKS, I JURY. — AUDREY. I APPRECIATE HER COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY. IT HAS BEEN INTERESTING TO COME INTO THAT APARTMENT AND IT MAY SURPRISE PEOPLE BUT I HAVE BEEN — SENSED A DEEP COMMITMENT AT EVERY LEVEL ACROSS THE INTERIOR. WE DO NOT HAVE AS MUCH DIVERSITY AS THE NATION IN THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. WE DON’T HAVE THE BROAD AMERICAN PUBLIC ENJOYING THE PUBLIC LANDS IN RELATION TO THEIR MAKEUP OF OUR POPULATION. I BELIEVE PUBLIC LANDS NEED TO BE ACCESSIBLE AND WELCOMING TO THE WHOLE PUBLIC. PART OF THAT IS THAT THE FACE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. WHAT IS THE FACE OF THE SENIOR LEADERSHIP THAT IS CREATING ROLE MODELS AND ASPIRATIONS SO THAT PEOPLE DO SAY THIS IS A PLACE I WOULD LIKE TO BRING MY TALENTS? I HAVE HAD OPPORTUNITIES TO DIG INTO THIS TOPIC INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE INTERIOR. AS I HAVE GONE AROUND THE LANDSCAPE AND MET WITH MANAGERS, NATIONAL PARK SUPERINTENDENT, BLM STATE DIRECTORS, I HAVE SENSED A CONSISTENT COMMITMENT TO INCREASING THE DIVERSITY OF OUR WORK FORCE AND MAKING SURE OUR COUNTRY IS MORE REFLECTIVE OF THE POPULATION. I WILL ALSO SAY, OUR YOUTH HIRING PROGRAMS, WHICH, BY THE NATURE OF THE DEMOGRAPHICS OF THE POPULATION, HAVE BEEN MORE DIVERSE. AS WE WELCOME YOUNG PEOPLE INTO THIS ORGANIZATION, THEY GET US ON THE RADAR IN THEIR THINKING ABOUT THEIR COLLEGE CAREER. THEY ARE DECIDING, WHAT DO I DO? MAY BE BECOMING A WILDLIFE BIOLOGIST IS OF INTEREST. MAYBE BECOMING A PARK RANGER IS AN INTEREST. OR A LAND MANAGER. THOSE PROGRAMS HAVE BEEN HIT. WE JUST HAVE TO GET PAST THIS SO WE CAN DO WHAT YOU EXPECT OF US. MAKE SURE WHEN WE ARE HIRING WE ARE REFLECTING THE COUNTRY AND WHEN PEOPLE VISIT, THEY SEE PEOPLE THAT LOOK LIKE THEM. AND THAT UNDERSTAND THE HISTORY AND CULTURE THAT IS SO RICH. ALL OF IT IS CERTAINLY IMPORTANT.

>> THANK YOU, SECRETARY JEWELL. ONE FINAL QUESTION FROM NEW MEXICO. THIS IS RELATED TO YOUR BE IN — URBAN PARKS. HAD YOU SEE THEM MEETING YOUR GOALS OF GETTING MORE PEOPLE OUTSIDE?

>> ONE OF THE MAJOR TRENDS AROUND THE COUNTRY IS URBANIZATION. WHETHER WE LIKE IT OR NOT, PEOPLE ARE MOVING TO CITIES. WHEN YOU COMBINE THAT TO HOW MUCH SCREEN TIME WE SPEND, HOW MUCH TIME OUR CHILDREN ARE IN ORGANIZED SPORTS THAT TAKES THEM AWAY FROM THE NATURAL WONDER OF EXPLORING THE OUTDOORS OR CREATING THEIR OWN GAMES, WE GET A DISCONNECT FROM NATURE THAT IS UNDERMINING ONE OF THE FUNDAMENTAL NEEDS WE HAVE AS HUMAN BEINGS, ENGAGING WITH NATURE. URBAN PARKS AND REFUGES, CITY PARKS, VACANT LOTS, ALL OF THESE THINGS ARE IMPORTANT TO A CHILD’S DEVELOPMENT. CHILDREN WILL INVENT NAMES IF YOU GIVE THEM A CHANCE. THEY WILL RESOLVE THEIR OWN CONFLICTS. YOU DON’T HAVE TO TELL THEM, IF THEY HAVE A CHANCE TO DO THAT. NATURE IS THE BEST CLASSROOM FOR SO MUCH OF WHAT WE NEED AS ADULTS IN LIVING TOGETHER IN A CIVIL SOCIETY. I THINK PARKS PROVIDE A GREAT SYSTEM TO APPRECIATE THE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGEES, THE VAST LANDS OF THE BLM. EVEN IN INDIAN COUNTRY. IN TRIBAL AREAS, FINDING OPPORTUNITIES CAN — TO CONNECT IS REALLY IMPORTANT TO HISTORY AND CULTURE AND CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT. WHETHER URBAN, TRIBAL, CONNECTING YOUNG PEOPLE TO NATURE IS CRITICAL IN MAKING SURE IT IS CLOSE TO HOME, ACCESSIBLE WITH PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION, THAT IS IMPORTANT. FOR ALL OF YOU LISTENING, I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU TO TAKE A PERSON BY THE HAND, BORROW ONE IF YOU DON’T HAVE AN YOURSELF, GET THEM INTO THE PUBLIC LANDS, IF YOU CAN GET THEM TO DO A LITTLE WORK, ALL THE BETTER. CONNECT OUR LITTLE PEOPLE TO THE GREEN WORLD WE ARE ALL A PART OF SO THEY CAN CARE FOR THESE PLACES THAT ARE SO SPECIAL.

>> THANK YOU, SECRETARY JEWELL. AND THANK YOU FOR TUNING IN FOR OUR SPECIAL CHAT WITH SECRETARY JEWELL. WE GOT SOME REALLY GREAT QUESTIONS AND WE WILL BE POSTING THIS ON OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL AND ON DOI.GOV. AND IT WILL REMAIN ON LIVE STREAM THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS. ANY PARTING REMARKS?

>> COME OUT AND PLAY ON SATURDAY. DO SOME WORK. PUBLICLANDSDAY.ORG. IT WILL TELL YOU WHERE TO GO. GOSH, WHETHER THE WEATHER IS LIKE THIS OR WHETHER IT IS POURING RAIN, THE NATURAL WORLD IS WHAT WE ARE ALL A PART OF. I WILL ENCOURAGE YOU TO GET OUT AND ENJOY IT. THANK THEM FOR WHAT THEY DO. IT IS NOT EASY TO BE A FEDERAL EMPLOYEE BUT OUR WORK IS IMPORTANT.

>> JUST AS A FINAL PARTING GIFT, WE HAD A PROJECT THIS SUMMER. WE ASKED YOU TO SUBMIT YOUR PHOTOS OF YOUR FAVORITE ACTIVITIES ON ALL OF OUR PUBLIC LANDS ACROSS THE COUNTRY. HIS RESPONSE WAS UNBELIEVABLE. — YOUR RESPONSE WAS UNBELIEVABLE. EVERY STATE. IT WAS AMAZING TO SEE THEM. WE ARE GOING TO LEAVE YOU WITH SOME OF THE HIGHLIGHTS WE HAVE RECEIVED. THIS IS JUST A ROUGH CUT. HE WILL HAVE ANOTHER ONE ON OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL LATER THIS WEEK. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME

Secretary Jewell Live Chat: Wednesday, September 25 at 1:00 pm ET

sally-jewell-confirm2

Secretary Sally Jewell will host an online chat, Wednesday, September 25, at 1 p.m., ET, where she will discuss the importance of our nation’s public lands, connecting the next generation to the great outdoors, and the President’s Climate Action Plan.

If you would like to ask the Secretary a question, please send it to newmedia@ios.doi.gov, and we will try to get to as many as possible.

To watch the chat live, click here www.doi.gov/live.

#Shade4Mustangs Calling for the US Army Corps of Engineers to bring emergency shade to captive wild horses

Shade at the Wild Horse & Burro Facility, Ridgecrest California

Shade at the Wild Horse & Burro Facility, Ridgecrest California

Shade is needed at the Nevada facility–before an unscheduled public workshop to “discuss” the issue

We have contacted the people who could get the job done!

——– Original Message ——–

Subject: Calling USACE because captive wild horses urgently need shade

at a federal facility

From: <@protectmustangs.org>

Date: Tue, July 23, 2013 2:17 pm

To: hq-publicaffairs@usace.army.mil

Dear Sirs,

We request your help to bring emergency shade to the captive wild horses at Palomino Valley without delay. They can be exposed to triple-digit heat waves while trapped in pens. This can cause heat related illnesses and even death.

Several iconic wild horses could have died probably from the heat and lack of shade because of the poor design at the federal facility.

The site has challenges including high winds and snow but right now the captive living treasures of the West need shade.

Despite some myths, wild horses in the high desert seek out cooler zones and shade. Here is a photo: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=542888105770213&set=a.240625045996522.58710.233633560029004&type=1&theater

I am including (below) our request for Secretary Jewell to enlist the help of the US Army Corps of Engineers.

Here you can see the investigation video after the BLM proposed unsuccessful “sprinkler mitigation” :http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdM2NrJcX8o

Here you can see the growing Petition for Emergency Shade https://www.change.org/petitions/bring-emergency-shade-for-captive-wild-horses-and-burros

I look forward to hearing from you soon because another triple-digit heat wave is fast approaching.

Thank you very much for your kind assistance.

Sincerely,

Anne Novak

 

Anne Novak

Executive Director

Protect Mustangs

San Francisco Bay Area

 

As seen on the news and in print

Read about native wild horses: http://protectmustangs.org/?page_id=562 

 

Protect Mustangs on Facebook

Protect Mustangs on Twitter

Protect Mustangs on YouTube

Protect Mustangs in the News

Donate to help Protect Mustangs

www.ProtectMustangs.org

Protect Mustangs is devoted to protecting native wild horses. Our mission is to educate the public about the indigenous wild horse, protect and research American wild horses on the range and help those who have lost their freedom.

 

——– Original Message ——–

Subject: Urgent Shade, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Livestream

Workshop, population studies, mitigation

From: <@protectmustangs.org>

Date: Tue, July 23, 2013 1:19 pm

To:

Honorable Secretary Jewell,

We kindly request you install emergency shade immediately for the wild horses and burros held in pens in triple-digit heat at the Palomino Valley Center. We politely ask that the Department of Interior, the BLM and the Wild Horse & Burro Program avoid delays related to the “workshop” or anything else.

Here is a viral article relating to the workshop: http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/07/20/3511692/blm-seeks-ideas-on-how-to-protect.html

There are many possibilities to create immediate and temporary shade. The implementation might slightly inconvenience the workers on site and might take them 15 more minutes total to drive around the shade elements.

We formally request that you immediately involve the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to bring the captive wild horses and burros emergency shade.

In addition, we are officially requesting the interested public be allowed to participate in the upcoming Palomino Valley workshop to promote transparency and public dialogue. We request you implement something interactive such as Live-stream to include the greater public living and working outside the Reno area.

We also request you call for scientific population studies before the BLM permanently removes any of the less than 18,000 wild horses in the wild from all 10 western states combined. We understand their proposed removal is based on your new mitigation plan and request you find an alternative win-win option.

Thank you for your kind assistance.

Sincerely,

Anne Novak

 

Anne Novak

Executive Director

Protect Mustangs

San Francisco Bay Area

 

 

As seen on the news and in print

Read about native wild horses: http://protectmustangs.org/?page_id=562 

Protect Mustangs on Facebook

Protect Mustangs on Twitter

Protect Mustangs on YouTube

Protect Mustangs in the News

Donate to help Protect Mustangs

www.ProtectMustangs.org

Protect Mustangs is devoted to protecting native wild horses. Our mission is to educate the public about the indigenous wild horse, protect and research American wild horses on the range and help those who have lost their freedom.

 

BLM avoids necropsy to escape public outcry

PM PVC Investigation Photo 'Shadow'

 

For immediate release

How many wild horses must drop dead in the heat waves before BLM gives them shelter?

RENO, NV (July 20, 2013)–The public is outraged that the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) does not provide shelter for the captive wild horses and burros at Palomino Valley Center near Reno, Nevada.  Nevada State Senator Mark Manendo and Anne Novak, executive director of Protect Mustangs warned on June 9th that wild horses would suffer, get sick and could die from heat related illnesses. They called for shade but the BLM refused to take action. In the morning of July 2nd, the Protect Mustangs investigation discovered a branded young wild horse who died during the heat wave.

Protect Mustangs documented the incident with video and photographs. They immediately sought help from several senators and representatives and requested Secretary of Interior, Sally Jewell, bring shade to the trapped mustangs.

“The BLM’s historic disregard for America’s wild horses is a global embarrassment,” states Anne Novak. “We hope the new Secretary of Interior, Sally Jewell, will intervene to bring them shade and call for a moratorium on roundups for population studies, based on science of course. They’re underpopulated on the range now. That’s why they are breeding at a higher rate–to prevent extinction.”

The BLM neglected to perform a necropsy to determine the cause of death for 2 branded young wild horses who died during the last heat wave, on June 30th and July 2nd.

Another death on June 28th could have been due to exposure to high temperatures without access to shade. The wild yearling had a respiratory illness known as strangles that is often occurring at the holding facility. According to the BLM, the wild horse’s death was attributed to strangles but the factor causing death could have been that she was forced to stand in the triple-digit temperatures which aggrivated her condition–ultimately causing her death.

“If a horse has strangles, its immune system is being compromised,” explains Dr. Lester Castro Friedlander, BA. DVM, President of Citizens Against Equine Slaughter. “When there is a heat wave, the horse’s body becomes dehydrated and the major organs try to keep the body in a stable condition, but then it can not fight the bacterial infection. High temperatures increase the death rate of horses with strangles, due to a chain reaction of major organs being compromised.”

All the branded mustangs that were recorded to have died were female: one was a 3 year old and the others were yearlings.

Currently the deaths of all young unbranded wild horses and burros are not counted at the BLM facilities. The BLM’s lack of accountability is raising concern amongst elected officials and members of the public.

“Our investigation uncovered the dead branded yearling during the heat wave but the BLM avoided performing a necropsy,” states Anne Novak, executive director of Protect Mustangs. “It’s as if they don’t want the public to know the truth. Why won’t they let the public know how many young mustangs have died? Why are they avoiding transparency?”

“I can’t believe they didn’t do a necropsy to find out what the animals died from during the heat wave,” says Dr. Lester Castro Friedlander, BA. DVM, and President of Citizens Against Equine Slaughter. ”Due to the high temperatures there is a very good possibility the horses died due to heat related conditions. By not doing the necropsy the cause of death is “unknown” and they avoid public outcry.”

Despite the BLM’s lack of transparency, today protestors gathered in Carson City to demand shelter for the wild horses and burros captive in pens.

Due to public outcry from wild horse advocates and groups, the BLM announced it is consulting PhD.s from UC Davis to determine if wild horses prefer shade and to determine the environmental conditions at Palomino Valley Center. The BLM is also as holding an open forum requesting public input on how the BLM can best care for the horses at Palomino Valley. Still no emergency shade has been brought in.

Another heat wave is hitting Reno this weekend but the BLM still clings to the belief that it’s OK to treat native wild horses and burros like something on a feedlot waiting to be slaughtered.

The public is encouraged to meet with their elected officials around the country and ask for them to intervene to bring emergency shade to the captive wild horses.

“These captive wild horses need emergency shade,” explains Novak. “Exposing them to another heat wave without shade is cruel.”

Protect Mustangs is circulating a petition for emergency shade on Change.org https://www.change.org/petitions/bring-emergency-shade-for-captive-wild-horses-and-burros

# # #

Media Contacts:

Anne Novak, 415.531.8454 Anne@ProtectMustangs.org

Kerry Becklund, 510.502.1913 Kerry@ProtectMustangs.org

Photos, video and interviews available upon request

Links of interest:

BLM’s wild horse and burro program looks to community for ideas at workshop: http://thisisreno.com/2013/07/blms-wild-horse-and-burro-program-looks-to-community-for-ideas-at-workshop/

Captive wild horses need relief from heat says HSUS http://horsetalk.co.nz/2013/07/18/captive-wild-horses-need-relief-heat-says-hsus/#axzz2ZcyetMGy

Captive wild horses need shade, advocates say http://horsetalk.co.nz/2013/07/02/captive-wild-horses-need-shade-advocates-say/#axzz2ZcyetMGy

How many foals are dying after roundups?: http://protectmustangs.org/?p=4246

BLM’s email revealing they are not counting the unbranded dead amongst the 37 dead mustangs at the Nevada facility http://protectmustangs.org/?p=4220

NPR: Fertility drug, nature, better than horse roundups  http://newsle.com/article/0/78084688/

Information on native wild horses: http://protectmustangs.org/?page_id=562

Wild-horse advocates: Rallies held in 50 states to drum up opposition to roundups, slaughter http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/80561cc4e8a64b43ae909f7d09a0473e/NV–Wild-Horses-Rallies

Animals Angels investigative report: http://www.animalsangels.org/the-issues/horse-slaughter/foia-requests/497-blm-nevada-mortality-records-a-nevada-rendering-animals-angels-foia-request-reveals-discrepancies.html

Palomino Valley Center: http://www.blm.gov/nv/st/en/prog/wh_b/palomino_valley_national.html

Protect Mustangs’ press releases: http://protectmustangs.org/?page_id=12

Protect Mustangs in the news: http://protectmustangs.org/?page_id=218

NOTES:

4 horses died during the last heat wave but only 3 deaths (A,C,D) could be related to the heat wave. (see email from BLM below). Strangles is a respiratory illness (Equine Distemper). Horses with repiratory illness have a higher chance of death when enduring a heat wave, because they are already having difficulty breathing and the heat aggrivates that.

BLM’s Debbie Collins responds to Anne Novak’s email:

 

So, I am listing a response to the specific questions you submitted to Jeb below:1.  How many unbranded foals, etc. have died from June 27 to July? 

Jeb has already provided you a response to this, but at this time no records are kept on unbranded animals that die.

 

3.  For the listed time period, what were the dates of any deaths, how old were the horses and what were their id #s?

A. #12620475 – 1yr old Female – Died 6/28/13 from strangles

B. #06619316 – 7yr old Gelding – Died 6/28/13 from Neck/Head injury

C. #10617585 – 3yr old Female – Died 6/30/13 from Unknown*

D. #12619358 – 1yr old Female – Died 7/2/13 from Unknown*

 

* PVC’s Vet and staff reported no signs of heat-related symptoms prior to the deaths of #10617585 & #12619358. In addition,  these animals had a continuous supply of water, quality hay, and sprinklers present; therefore, there was no life or death issue present. It is not always possible to make a determination of the cause of death. But, if the BLM has any future deaths at PVC that are not associated with a particular illness or injury, a necropsy will be performed.