WHY DO WE HAVE AN ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT?
The first roundup of wild horses under the WFRH&B Act in 1975 went forward without any preparation of documents under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The operation met with protest and litigation. One side said the federal government had no authority to remove wild horses and the state tried to take them to the slaughterhouse and assert jurisdiction. Another side said that the government failed to do the analysis and the horses should be left alone.
The court ruled that the BLM could move forward, this one time, but could not just remove horses to make room for domestic livestock and required them to do the appropriate analysis under NEPA for any future operations.
The state did not take the horses to slaughter. The federal jurisdiction established by the WFRH&B Act was confirmed.
WildHorseEducation.org
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The Final EA and Record of Decision for the winter 2018 Triple B roundup gives approval for ten years of roundups in two, distinct, massive conglomerates of HMAs. The project area compromises nearly 4 million acres. The BLM document references these areas as if they are contiguous, ie too large for fertility control darting. In truth these areas are distinct in populations, terrain, separated by major highways and allotment fences.
The document analyzes the effects of the alternatives outlined in the document on multiple factors like livestock grazing, migratory birds and tribal interests.
The document includes maps of migratory patterns of other species like mule deer. Nowhere does it discuss the migratory patterns of the wild horses that occupy the HMAs. Nowhere does it discuss the distinct populations, migration routes, critical habitat, behavioral impacts, etc on the wild horses themselves.
The EA for this Operation
Roundup
2018