BLM advisory board to discuss issues relating to wild horses and burros in the West

National Wild Horse and Burro Advisory Board to meet Oct. 13-14 in Arlington, Virginia

National Wild Horse and Burro Program

"The Bureau of Land Management’s top priority is to ensure the health of the public lands so that the species depending on them – including the nation's wild horses and burros – can thrive. To achieve that end, the BLM’s wild horse and burro program must be put on a sustainable course that benefits the animals, the land, and the American taxpayer."

  BLM Director Bob Abbey                 Click here for full message  

The Bureau of Land Management’s National Wild Horse and Burro Advisory Board will meet on October 13-14, 2011, in Arlington, Virginia, to discuss issues relating to the management, protection, and control of wild horses and burros on Western public rangelands.  The two-day meeting will take place on Thursday, October 13, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Friday, October 14, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., local time, at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City, 2799 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, Virginia 22202 (hotel phone number 703-418-1234).  The agenda of the meeting can be found in the September 6, 2011, Federal Register (at http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2011-09-06/pdf/2011-22626.pdf).

The Advisory Board provides input and advice to the BLM as it carries out its responsibilities under the 1971 Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act.  The law mandates the protection, management, and control of these free-roaming animals in a manner that ensures healthy herds at levels consistent with the land’s capacity to support them.  The BLM manages approximately 38,500 wild horses and burros that roam BLM-managed rangelands in 10 Western states.

The public may address the Advisory Board on Thursday, October 13, at 3 p.m., local time.  Individuals who want to make a statement at the Thursday meeting should register with the BLM by 1 p.m., local time, on that same day at the meeting site.  Depending on the number of speakers, the Board may limit the length of presentations, set at three minutes for previous meetings.

Speakers should submit a written copy of their statement to the BLM at the addresses below or bring a copy to the meeting; those who would like to comment but are unable to attend may submit a written statement to: Bureau of Land Management, National Wild Horse and Burro Program, WO-260, Attention: Ramona DeLorme, 1340 Financial Boulevard, Reno, Nevada, 89502-7147.  Comments may also be e-mailed to the BLM through the Wild Horse and Burro Website (at http://www.blm.gov/wo/st/en/prog/whbprogram/recent_news_and_information/enhanced_feedback_

form.html).  For those unable to attend the meeting, written comments should be submitted by regular or electronic mail no later than close of business October 5, 2011; the BLM will not necessarily consider comments received after close of business on October 13, 2011.

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

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

The BLM manages more land – over 245 million acres – than any other Federal agency.  This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western states, including Alaska.  The Bureau, with a budget of about $1 billion, also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation.  The BLM’s multiple-use mission is to sustain the health and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.  The Bureau accomplishes this by managing such activities as outdoor recreation, livestock grazing, mineral development, and energy production, and by conserving natural, historical, cultural, and other resources on public lands.