tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74313347266888599672024-03-05T09:15:34.563-06:00HooflinksThis blog is for updates, news and action alerts on issues concerning equine welfare. These issues include, but are not limited to, horse slaughter, soring, nurse mare foals, PMU, wild horses and tripping.AHDF Presidenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826997341419839395noreply@blogger.comBlogger138125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7431334726688859967.post-73283801517193676142009-12-14T05:04:00.000-06:002009-12-14T05:04:57.435-06:00Radio Interview UpdateMany of you have emailed me and asked about the interview I was to do on <a href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/thebodypolitic">The Body Politic</a> last Friday the 11th. due to scheduling conflicts with the host we had to reschedule the show. It will air today the 14th at 1 pm PST (2 MST, 3 CST, 4 EST). You can listen to the show on Suzanne's blog talk page live and call in at those times. I hope everyone can listen as she is an excellent host and interviewer. This show is dedicated to the Wild Horses and Burros and the issues affecting them. I know that if you can't get through to the show you can instant message her during the show and she will incorporate your questions into the show as she did on the last one.AHDF Presidenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826997341419839395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7431334726688859967.post-4288375727227088402009-12-07T17:35:00.001-06:002009-12-07T17:46:42.310-06:00Radio InterviewFor those that missed my interview on <a href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/thebodypolitic/2009/12/07/americas-great-horse-culture-in-peril-as-economy-l">The Body Politic</a>, it is now available online. <br />
This can be downloaded through iTunes, listened to online and/or shared. I hope that everyone will listen to it and share it widely. <br />
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This interview covered the issue of horse slaughter. We are doing another interview on Friday on the wild horse and burro issue. You can listen live on Friday the 11th at 1 pm PST, 2 pm MST, 3pm CST and 4 pm EST by going to www.blogtalkradio.com/thebodypolitic<br />
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In addition, HoofLinks radio will be doing a show Wednesday the 9th. Get show info by going to the <a href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Hooflinks">HoofLinks show</a>. We are going to be continuing our talk on legislative efforts and interviewing a rescue on the issues facing them in the present economy.AHDF Presidenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826997341419839395noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7431334726688859967.post-14105476793887612882009-12-04T15:53:00.002-06:002009-12-04T15:53:34.872-06:00Press Release for the Body Politic<div><strong>America's Great Horse Culture in Peril as Economy Leaves More Equines Vulnerable To Crimes of Slaughter --The Body Politic Radio Show Gets Inside Grisly Door of Equine Slaughter Transport</strong> </div><div> <br />
Posted : Fri, 04 Dec 2009 08:01:13 GMT </div><div><br />
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<strong>American Horse Meat Demands Rise Abroad</strong></div><div><strong></strong> </div><div>LOS ANGELES, CA, December 04, 2009 /24-7PressRelease/ -- It's near midnight as a two-tier cattle truck climbs a hill 50 miles from Tulsa, OK, grinding and spitting from its lumbering load. The grueling 1,000 mile trek that began at a horse auction near Waukegon, Illinois is far from over, as the truck's destination is a Texas holding pen earmarked for slaughter-bound horses nearly 355 miles away. If the truck makes it across the state line, it will deliver nearly 50 horses----yearlings, pregnant mares, registered Thoroughbreds, purebred Arabians, wild Mustangs and ponies, Appaloosas, and newly born foals to a Mexican slaughter house. While these equines have individual stories and backgrounds, they share one commonality: They were all purchased at auction by what is known in the industry as "kill buyers" who are fulfilling independent contracts with the slaughter house. As many as 22 horses have already died en route due to kicking injuries, water and food deprivation, and suffocation since departing the auction nearly 72 hours earlier. This scene is not set in the Dust Bowl era. The overweight, fragile truck is not filled with John Steinbeck's endearing "Joad" family seeking a better life . It's a glimpse into the all too real underworld of horse slaughter transport to plants located in Mexico and Canada-----fostering a highly egregious form of animal cruelty that continues unabated in the U.S. despite years of bitter public and political opposition.</div><div>The continued public outcry prompted Congressman John Sweeney (R-NY) and John Spratt (D-SC) to sponsor bill H.R. 503 in 2006 in an effort to stop Mexico and Canada from butchering tens of thousands of healthy American horses every month. Although passed by a strong bipartisan vote in the House, the bill has been reportedly blocked by Agricultural special interest groups repeatedly, and remains in a seemingly permanent state of limbo in the Senate. The bill was reintroduced to the House of Representatives on January 14, 2009 by House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers, Jr. (D-Michigan) and Dan Burton (R-Indiana), which became known as The Conyers-Burton Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act of 2009. The bill would criminalize the shipping, transporting, purchasing, selling, delivering, or receiving of any horse, horse flesh, or carcass with the intent that it be used for human consumption. In 2007, two slaughter plants in Texas and the last slaughter house in Illinois were permanently shut due to the enforcement of state laws and related lawsuits. Passage of H.R. 503 would prevent such slaughter houses from opening in any state that does not already have a ban in place. More than 100,000 American horses were exported to Canada and Mexico for slaughter last year.</div><div>On Monday, December 7, at 1:00 PM PST, radio host and investigative journalist, Suzanne Marcus-Fletcher will continue her Itunes series on the state of horse welfare in America in a 60 minute interview with nationally recognized equine advocate Shelley Sawhook, President of the American Horse Defense Fund (AHDF) based in Washington, D.C. AHDF is the nation's leading horse welfare organization working to protect America's horses from abuse <a href="http://www.savinghorses.org/">www.savinghorses.org</a>. Fletcher's interview with Sawhook can be heard live or on demand at <a href="http://www.blogtalkradio/thebodypolitic">www.blogtalkradio/thebodypolitic</a> or by calling The Body Politic Listener dial-in number: (646) 595-2146 at 1:00 P.M. PST on 12/7/09. The broadcast will be available in the Itunes store under The Body Politic / Blog Talk Radio podcasts.</div><div>Among the show's topics will be the current status of H.R. 503, and other major advocacy initiatives now underway at the AHDF on the issues of slaughter and equine transport. </div><div>National awareness of the equine slaughter issue ballooned after it was learned that one of America's 100 greatest racehorses named Exceller-----who beat two Triple Crown winners in the 1978 Jockey Gold Cup (Seattle Slew and Affirmed) and won 11 Grade or Group one Races, died in a slaughterhouse in Sweden on April 7, 1997----the same month he was nominated for induction into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame. Fletcher's interview with the The Exceller Fund's Executive Director, Nicole Smith, and former President/Executive Director Bonnie Mizrahi is available in the Itunes store and at <a href="http://www.suzannemarcusfletcher.com/">www.suzannemarcusfletcher.com</a>. The Exceller Fund <a href="http://www.excellerfund.org/">www.excellerfund.org</a> was launched one month after the famed equines' death to help transition Thoroughbred horses to a second career off the track and provide "a future beyond the finish line." Said Mizrahi, "We all bemoan what happened to Exceller, yet this [slaughter] is happening every week with race horses that aren't as well known, but are no less deserving." Indeed, slaughter foes appeared to unite en mass after American news agencies reported that Ferdinand, the 1986 Kentucky Derby winner, ended up in a slaughterhouse in Japan in 2002. </div><div>"Horse slaughter is an industry----not a charitable way for farmers to dispose of their old, sick, horses as believed by many across the country" said acclaimed equine advocate, Anne Irving. "It is an industry driven by the demand of foreign diners in Europe and Japan who consider American horse-meat a delicacy, and enjoy the lean horse-meat, which sells for approximately $20.00 per pound - and costs about .39 to .49 cents per pound on the hoof at auction," noted Irving. "Following the closing of the U.S. based plants, exports to Canadian and Mexican plants increased to quickly bring the total slaughter (numbers) back to the same level as before the closings."</div><div>Fletcher will continue her series on the state of horse welfare in America with AHDF President, Shelley Sawhook, Friday December 11, at 1:00 PM PST on The Body Politic radio show. This episode will focus on the Wild and Free Roaming Horse and Burro Act (ROAM), including a discussion of the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) alleged plans to initiate mass round-ups in Nevada and elsewhere with the intent to move a significant number of America's remaining wild horses and burros----symbols of the historic and pioneer spirit of the West----into mass holding pens or visitor sanctuaries on the East Coast. For more information on this issue, please visit <a href="http://www.savinghorses.org/">www.savinghorses.org</a></div>AHDF Presidenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826997341419839395noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7431334726688859967.post-33287466661580197392009-12-01T16:07:00.000-06:002009-12-01T16:07:07.457-06:00New HoofLinks ShowThe American Horse Defense Fund (AHDF) has a new way to keep our members and the public informed, Blog Radio or podcast. The show will air for the first time tomorrow at 6 pm, Eastern, 5pm Central, 4 pm Mountain and 3 pm Pacific time. You can listen online live or to the archived show by <a href="http://www.blogtalkradio/hooflinks">going here</a>. Caller are welcome to share their stories and information by calling in at 917-889-3682. I hope I get lots of calls otherwise I will be talking for half an hour myself, so call in!<br />
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Please be patient with me as this is going to be my first attempt at doing this, I am sure things will get better soon. I, like the show, am a work in progress and the show sneaked up on me with everything else going on such as holidays and holiday shopping. (Anyone know where to find an elusive Zhu Zhu hamster where they aren't gouging you?) So, I know the first one isn't going to be as good as it should be but I hope it will impart some new information and ideas so folks know what is going on.<br />
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I will also be appearing on the show <a href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/thebodypolitic">Body Politic with host Suzanne Marcus-Fletcher</a> on Dec. 4th and 11th for a full hour show each of these days. It will air at 1pm PST. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: 'Stone Sans Sem OS ITC TT'; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"></span><span style="color: white; font-weight: bold;"></span><span style="color: white; font-weight: bold;"></span>AHDF Presidenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826997341419839395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7431334726688859967.post-18473131091258285982009-11-11T15:17:00.000-06:002009-11-11T15:17:08.039-06:00Veteran's DayToday is Veteran's Day and I hope that everyone is having a great day. However, in all the celebrations today and left out of all the lists of veterans is a group that have served the military and police without question and with as much loyalty. Those missing are the animals. These brave creatures have served with our men and women in the military. They go where others would fear to tread without reservation. Some have been decorated over the years for their heroic service, yet after their service is over, no matter what they have done, they are tossed aside. Is it any wonder that today we question the support given to returning vets when the 4-legged ones were treated this way long ago. The way our country treats its veterans is a disgrace and it is time that ALL vets are provided for and that we recognize their contributions.<br />
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So, today take a moment to recognize and thank a veteran for their service to you and to this country. As for the 4-legged service members who served us well and who were never recognized take a moment to think about them and how without them we wouldn't be as free a country as we are now. Think about them, learn about their contributions and make a decision that we WILL take care of and recognize ALL our veterans. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWAJV4HJF6fMVegFP6eUqC2EMqLh-iZhi603CibRlZg5x_7VEzBJ8rSSRo3UBfAyuYO-uDdEen6xykKsQ9ysxOqbf4bMwYofB3XGcyA7mBG6qcZ6S4pOTLd8Q_uDP013rvF6o-UXu4rYQ/s1600-h/Historical+Pictures_0272.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWAJV4HJF6fMVegFP6eUqC2EMqLh-iZhi603CibRlZg5x_7VEzBJ8rSSRo3UBfAyuYO-uDdEen6xykKsQ9ysxOqbf4bMwYofB3XGcyA7mBG6qcZ6S4pOTLd8Q_uDP013rvF6o-UXu4rYQ/s400/Historical+Pictures_0272.jpg" /></a><br />
</div>AHDF Presidenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826997341419839395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7431334726688859967.post-71860813747674394672009-10-26T00:02:00.000-05:002009-10-26T00:02:00.087-05:00Wild Horses and WashingtonFor Immediate Release<br />
(Washington, DC)Save Our Wild Horses Coalition members Ms. Shelley Sawhook, president of the <a href="http://www.ahdf.org/">American Horse Defense Fund</a>, and Ms. Cindy MacDonald, author of <a href="http://www.americanherds.blogspot.com/">American Herds Blog</a>, attended a week of meetings with various representatives, senators and their aides last week in Washington, DC. Their main goal was to present a Resolution calling for a moratorium on wild horse and burro gathers (i.e., wholesale removal from their federal lands); ask for an independent census of the horses and burros, both in the wild and within holding facilities, and; call for an investigation into the highly questionable policies, processes and practices of the Bureau of Land Management’s administration of the wild horse and burro program. In addition, they presented materials and information in support of the Resolution.<br />
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All materials presented by Sawhook and MacDonald will be made available on <a href="http://www.saveourwildhorses.com/">the Save Our Wild Horses</a> (SOWH) website as well as their own various sites and blogs.<br />
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While in Washington, Sawhook and MacDonald met with senatorial aides to the various Energy and Natural Resources Committee and related sub-committee members. MacDonald also had the opportunity to meet with her own Senators, Reid and Ensign. Many issues relating to the issue of wild horses and burros were discussed and the SOWH Resolution was presented and discussed. During the meetings, Senate questions were addressed and a policy point paper and a paper detailing the pros and cons of the Salazar Plan (i.e., Secy. Of the Interior’s plan to remove wild horses from their traditional range and place them in non-breeding sanctuaries in the East) were provided as additional resource information to support the resolution and SOWH’s positions and to answer other questions.<br />
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In several meetings, SOWH representatives were told that the Obama Administration has asked for the implementation of the “Salazar Plan” to see if it might solve the wild horse and burro issues and give the new Secretary an opportunity to administer the program without intervention so early on in his administration. This presents a problem as SOWH is opposed to the implementation of the Salazar Plan as it is not in the best interest of wild horses and burros and would pervert the existing Act protecting the nation’s wild horses and burros, specifically, the plan remove horses from their recognized herd areas.<br />
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Notable among most aides were that they were unfamiliar with wild equine issues. Once informed, they sought the input of SOWH and of those who are most familiar with wild horses and burros on what is best for them. SOWH asks that everyone with such expertise contact the committee members and their staff (links and resources are on www.saveourwildhorses.com) to provide much needed insight and guidance to assist the senators with bolstering the protections. An example of a common perception among many talked to on the Hill and among Americans was exemplified in a meeting with Senator Blanche Lincoln (D, AR). It was apparent that her office had not heard much from their constituents on the issue, stating she would likely defer to those from the western states where the mustangs and burros reside. That position fails to acknowledge that these symbols of America and our history and values belong to the American public, not just western states. SOWH calls for all Arkansans to contact Senator Lincoln’s office to voice their position on the wild horse and burro issue so that she can hear loud and clear that protection of these majestic animals are an important issue to them. Other offices that could benefit from hearing from their constituents are Senator Bob Corker (R, TN), Senator Robert Menendez (D, NJ), Senator Diane Feinstein (D, CA), Senator John Ensign (R, NV), Senator Jeff Bingaman (D, NM) and Senator Michael Bennett (D, CO).<br />
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For more information contact Shelley Sawhook email <a href="mailto:president@ahdf.org">president@ahdf.org</a>, phone 866-956-2433 address 1718 M St NW Unit 191 Washington, DC 20036.AHDF Presidenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826997341419839395noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7431334726688859967.post-27916091403849146602009-10-13T02:58:00.000-05:002009-10-13T02:58:16.262-05:00Going to DCThe trip to DC is getting closer. It is getting crazy around my house. I have to get all the materials ready, get to the cleaners to get my suits pressed and get ready to go. I always get stressed when I go to DC because I know how important those trips can be and this time it is doubly important. Otherwise we might not have any more wild horse within a few years.<br />
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So far I have heard from a couple of folks that they too want to go and help protect the wild horses. This is pretty exciting since lobbying is seen as hard. Too many folks are afraid of Congress, they keep forgetting that it is our JOB to visit them. We are their employers and we should check on our employees to see how they are doing and to tell them what kind of job we want done. <br />
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George Knapp did an awesome job on his hour long special about the wild horses called "Stampede to Oblivion". In it Dina Titus said that our politicians seem to be focused on special interest and not on the hearing the people. Is it possible that the reason they listen to special interest is because they see them every day and they ply them with food, gifts and funds and not to the people because we DON'T visit and talk to them? Just a thought. <br />
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BTW if you haven't seen the special you should take the time. It is probably one of the best pieces ever done on the issue. You can find it by <a href="http://www.lasvegasnow.com/Global/category.asp?C=8032&nav=menu102_2_10">going here</a>, the videos are on the right hand side. It is in 5 parts, so watch them all. Also, the station says that they have an agreement with ALL CBS affiliates to provide content, so your local station could show it. Contact them to see if they will show it.<br />
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WE have got to have success in getting the ROAM Act passed. If we don't we are probably going to see the end of truly wild horses and burros in another year or two. The FY 2010 gather schedule shows that they are planning to remove 12,000 horses and burros from the range. And FY 2010 has already started and the horses are being taken off the range as we speak. 12,000 horses is about 1/3 of the animals left on the range if you believe the BLM's numbers. If you are sure they are over estimating then you can see that this could be the end. <br />
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So gear up folks, our wild horses and burros are in for the fight of their lives and we have to help them. It isn't the time to get mad, but it is the time to get active. Anger, while probably a VERY understandable emotion, causes us to make mistakes. The horses can't afford those, so let's move at this with a clear head and a firm determined attitude, the way the horses would want us to. AHDF Presidenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826997341419839395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7431334726688859967.post-42048290899178621442009-09-18T07:18:00.002-05:002009-09-18T07:48:32.257-05:00Wild Horse AdvocatesFor those folks looking for a way to help out with the wild horse issue there is a way. Right now the Save Our Wild Horse coalition is accepting applications for volunteers and is hosting a survey on how better to serve advocates. Submit your survey at http://saveourwildhorses.com/survey.htm<br /><br />They are looking for volunteers in the following areas. Monitoring specific herds, calender manager, research and others. So please take a minute to stop by and offer your suggestions as well as volunteer.<br /><br />Save Our Wild Horses is also looking for wild horse groups and advocates to join the coalition. So, please consider joining them! Together we CAN make a difference and speak as one voice for our wild horses! Save Our Wild Horses has also launched a blog at http://www.saveourwildhorses.blogspot.com.<br /><br />A number of groups are also planning on hosting demonstrations, including one in DC on Sept 29th. The demonstration will be held from 8am to 4pm on the West Front Lawn of Capitol Hill. The purpose is to inform the public about the plight of the wild horses. Everyone is welcome to attend and to bring information and handouts to give to the public as well as signs and photos.<br /><br />Groups are also working to get advocates to DC from Sept 29th until the end of October to lobby for the ROAM Act <span style="font-size:-0;"><span style="font-size:-0;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><span style="background-color: transparent;font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;color:#000000;" ><strong><em>(S1579/HR1018) </em></strong></span></span></span></span>as well as the Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-size:-0;" ><span style="font-size:-0;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><span style="background-color: transparent;font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;color:#000000;" >(HR503/S727)</span></span></span></span>. We are asking that advocates spend a day or two, specifically the weeks of Oct. 4th, 11th and 25th, to lobby for these efforts. AHDF will be there the week of Oct. 18th. Advocates planning on attending during this time are asked to email me at president@ahdf.org as this is a coordinated effort.<br /><br />On a personal note I have made my first attempt at making a You Tube video. Please keep in mind that it is my first and the sound isn't perfect, but it is available for viewing at <a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwmIGQoMTdQ">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwmIGQoMTdQ</a> Hopefully now that I have it down a little better we can add more videos to the site to inform the public. That is if I can find the time. AHDF is on Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, the web as well as this blog. So, folks can follow us anywhere!AHDF Presidenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826997341419839395noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7431334726688859967.post-70527572345837836542009-09-07T12:18:00.002-05:002009-09-07T12:59:45.721-05:00Let's MAKE Our Voices HeardIn light of everything that has happened over the last few weeks I think it is even more important to make sure that Congress, and especially the Senate, knows what is going on. We need to have our voices heard and be visible in DC if we are ever to be an effective voice for the horses. We need to have groups and individuals there for an entire month to achieve this. Congress MUST know that we do care and that we aren't going away. They MUST know all of the sneaky little tricks and deceptions that the BLM is playing on the horses and the taxpayers.<br /><br />Obviously I am NOT suggesting that any one group or person be in DC for a whole month. But if we can break it up into little pieces of 2-3 days and each one of us take one we could cover the entire month of October. I am going with a few people the week of Oct. 18th. I am asking for groups to take the lead on other weeks. We need to be as visible as possible considering that the groups that are opposed to what we are asking have lobbyists there every day. Congress is more impressed with actual visits as they show that it means enough for you to actually go to DC.<br /><br />If a group is going to go please let me know so we can make sure that every day is covered and that someone with experience is there to take the lead. If anyone needs material or handouts let me know and I will get them to you or visit the website <a href="http://www.saveourwildhorses.com">Save Our Wild Horses</a> for materials. If this would be your first trip to DC to lobby please read the AHDF's Guide to Lobbying for helpful information.<br /><br />I am also trying to fund raise to cover costs and to hopefully have funds to help folks get there. If there are no donations we can't do that, so if you can't go consider helping those that can by making a donation so your voice can be heard and we can make a difference for the horses.AHDF Presidenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826997341419839395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7431334726688859967.post-27418429751816190322009-09-04T16:01:00.002-05:002009-09-04T16:43:17.954-05:00How the Hell Can We Save Them?This is not going to be my normal blog post. It isn't going to be all nicey-nicey. I am feeling like I have NEVER felt before, helpless and hopeless. I don't like that feeling at all. I know I am not alone in feeling this way. I have always been the one who looked for the silver lining, the one who urged others on, the one who always felt that in the end things would come out right.<br /><br />The one thing I have felt since hearing about the Pryor Mountain horses is that in the end the horses would be fine. It is one small herd and they aren't taking as many as other herds and while the numbers are set a little below genetic viability, it isn't as bad as other herds are facing. So many are just being removed or their AML is so far below genetic viability that they will not survive at all. However, the Pryor horses are one of the most famous herds and the ones that were the most protected. They received protections long before the other herds got it. They also had the distinction of being so closely related to the Spanish herds.<br /><br />This then brings the question that makes me feel the way I do. If we can't protect these wonderful horses, how the hell can we protect and save the others? <br /><br />The loss of a single one of these famous horses is being felt by the world. They care because they have gotten to know and love them through Ginger Kathrens wonderful documentaries on the Cloud series. We know Image, Cloud's daughter who is set to be removed. We know Electra, Cloud's sister, who Prince fought to keep and is his only mare and is now set to be removed. We know Arrow, Rain and Cloud Dancer all set to lose their freedom. Not only are we losing these special animals, but the herds' AML is being set and kept below genetic viability and those that are being returned to the range are being treated with PZP to prevent herd growth.<br /><br />So, I say again if we can't save them how the hell can we save the others?<br /><br />How can we stop the removal of 1000 horses from the Red Desert Complex? How can we stop the Ely District removal of EVERY SINGLE horse? How can we prevent the Sheldon horses from going to slaughter? <br /><br />I know we all called President Obama and asked for his help. Today one person asked if he was getting our messages and was told that they were gathering them and would give them to him later on today. Obviously that isn't much help. Our government isn't getting the word and meanwhile these horses are in the middle of of this horrible removal and they can't take the time to pass along the people's concerns! Of course the roundup continues, he doesn't even know about it and the staff hasn't seen fit to let him know. Since they take it so lightly it is doubtful that he would stop it anyway. Apparently we need to be more insistent with our calls and we need more people to call the White House to let him know that it IS an important issue.<br /><br />It isn't the time to feel helpless, it isn't the time to feel hopeless. It is the time to stand up and fight! Fight for the horses and the law of the land that protects them. It is time to yell louder to say this is NOT RIGHT. Those horses shouldn't lose their freedom for nothing and none should possibly pay with their lives without it meaning something. <br /><br />Remember my post about speaking with One Voice? It is now time to speak with that voice and let it finally be heard. We will not accept the continued removal of our wild horses. We will not let them zero out herd areas for more grazing. We will not let them take our freedoms as they have taken the horses'. We will not let them subvert the law ever again and our wild horses WILL be protected as the law intended. Not ever again! We will fight through the courts, we will battle in the Congress and we will see the few remaining herds never face what Cloud's herd is facing now. Speak up for Cloud, speak up for Electra, speak up for Image, speak up for the unnamed herds. We need to raise our voices NOW before they are all gone and all we have left is a memory and a few documentaries to show what we have really lost.AHDF Presidenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826997341419839395noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7431334726688859967.post-39949867116122520532009-09-03T14:30:00.002-05:002009-09-03T14:49:08.873-05:00BlameIn our sadness all advocates and wild horse lovers need to refrain from passing blame. Our court systems work, but not often on the schedule that we would like. It is nearly impossible to obtain a temporary restraining order (TRO) against a government agency. Our laws are set up to give the government a sort of benefit of the doubt and to prevent individuals from disrupting government actions. The TRO was NOT the last legal stand. There is still the option of the courts returning the animals after the removals. Of course nobody wanted the herds disrupted by the roundups and the associated risks that they bring. However, the judge acted as he saw the law. <br /><br />Yes, we are sad and yes we do feel as though we are in mourning. However, please do not disparage those who have worked so hard. This is not the time for blame. It is time for us to really WORK. Work hard that the herds remain viable, work hard to see the laws changed to protect the horses, work to see that other herds aren't decimated, work to see the BLM held accountable for their actions.<br /><br />Cry if you must for what is going on and then dry your eyes. Our tears don't accomplish anything, but our efforts can and do. The BLM is issuing EAs (Environmental Assessments which are needed before ANY roundup can happen) for public comments even as we speak. We must each comment on them and let them know that we don't accept the decimation of our herds. We must contact the Senators and let them know that we support the ROAM Act to keep our horses free in the wild. There are groups, such as the AHDF, the Cloud Foundation, Front Range and EWA, and individuals filing more appeals to stop these roundups and they NEED support. <br /><br />If all you are offering is criticisms of what efforts have been made or tears you have not done all you can. Take action today. Volunteer to help with the organizations fighting, call and write letters to your Senators, visit your Senators while they are at home or go to DC, donate to the groups, file public comments to the BLM's EAs. TAKE ACTION!AHDF Presidenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826997341419839395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7431334726688859967.post-53848101820671204662009-09-03T13:46:00.002-05:002009-09-03T14:21:53.992-05:00Herd Removals<h3 style="font-weight: normal; font-family: courier new;" class="UIIntentionalStory_Message" ft="{"type":"msg"}"><span style="font-size:100%;">Today is a somber day. One can feel it in the air, it is as if the world is sensing the tremendous loss of wild horses and the loss of freedom.<br /></span></h3><h3 style="font-weight: normal; font-family: courier new;" class="UIIntentionalStory_Message" ft="{"type":"msg"}"><span style="font-size:100%;">The Pryor horses, otherwise known as Cloud's herd, are being rounded up today. The herds have been made famous the world over mostly because of the WONDERFUL documentaries filmed by Ginger Kathrens, an AHDF board member and founder of the The Cloud Foundation. She has documented the herds for many years and the world has followed the lives of the herds and Cloud and fallen in love with them.<br /></span></h3> <h3 style="font-weight: normal; font-family: courier new;" class="UIIntentionalStory_Message" ft="{"type":"msg"}"><span style="font-size:100%;">The removals have begun and a small group of 30 people are there to protest but they cannot see anything as guards prevent them from entering the p<span class="text_exposed_hide"></span><span class="text_exposed_show">ark. I know many are in mourning over the fact that 70 horses will be removed and will never again know freedom or see their home again. Those that do remain will be treated with a fertility drug, PZP, that will prevent the herds from reproducing. There still remains questions about the safety of the drug. Not to mention that humans, not nature, make the call on which horses can reproduce and add to the gene pool.<br /></span></span></h3><h3 style="font-weight: normal; font-family: courier new;" class="UIIntentionalStory_Message" ft="{"type":"msg"}"><span style="font-size:100%;">Please pray or send positive energy to the Pryor horses that no animals will be injured. The herds have many VERY young foals, under a month old, and these young animals don't usually do well during these roundups. Often they become separated from the herds because they cannot keep up and they die on the range. If they do keep up they are still orphaned by the activities. This is not a good outcome in anyone's mind.<br /></span></h3><h3 style="font-weight: normal; font-family: courier new;" class="UIIntentionalStory_Message" ft="{"type":"msg"}"><span style="font-size:100%;">Over 300 horses lost their freedom in the Nevada Ely district in the past week. None of these horses will be returned to the wild. Not one will ever again know freedom. They are being removed because their herd areas have been "zeroed out". The reason given is that the area can no longer support a single horse. However, at the same time they are expanding grazing permits for more cattle. At the end of the month (September) more horses will be removed to once again never return to their homes and the life they have known for hundreds of years.</span></h3><h3 style="font-weight: normal; font-family: courier new;" class="UIIntentionalStory_Message" ft="{"type":"msg"}"><span style="font-size:100%;">These horses aren't as well known as Cloud's herd and there were no protesters to stand vigil for them. Just a core of advocates working to stop their removals. We will never again be able to get them back and America lost a national treasure, one we continue to lose every day that the BLM remains in charge of our wild horses and burros.<br /></span></h3><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family: courier new;">Yesterday Glen Beck came out with a theory that the ROAM Act is an attempt by environmentalists to prevent drilling by putting horses in the areas where oil abounds. This "theory" is incorrect as he pointed out traditional areas where the horses ALREADY exist, not where advocates want to put them. It is a coincidence that the horses have been relegated to these areas. Not to mention that if the BLM didn't put such restrictions on the oil companies and insist on removing the horses for drilling, we wouldn't care if they drilled or not. The horses would just leave the area and not interfere with the drilling and the drilling wouldn't harm the horses. However, because cows would interfere the BLM insists that the horses, because they consider them livestock and the same as cattle, are removed. THIS is what we disapprove of, the removal of the horses never to return, not the drilling. At the rate of removals the BLM is doing now the issue won't matter any more as there won't be a herd left.</span></span><h3 style="font-weight: normal; font-family: courier new;" class="UIIntentionalStory_Message" ft="{"type":"msg"}"><span style="font-size:100%;">The suffering of these majestic animals and the loss of their freedom is being felt the world over. The sense of mourning from the welfare community is obvious. But we CAN make a difference. The public needs to let the BLM, the politicians and the world know that we do not want our wild horses and burros to face the extinction that is now becoming more and more evident.<br /></span></h3><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><span style="font-family: courier new;" class="status-body"><span class="entry-content"></span></span><br /></span>AHDF Presidenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826997341419839395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7431334726688859967.post-78812169068898698472009-09-02T16:27:00.002-05:002009-09-02T16:39:40.424-05:00Cloud's Herd Lost but the fight isn't overIt is with a heavy heart that I have to pass along the info that the Temporary Restraining Order to protect Cloud's herd and the Pryor Mountain horses was denied today. We don't have the decision yet, so it is impossible to say why the judge denied the rock solid claim. More than likely it was due to the issue of taxpayer funds being paid to keep the crews on hold while the case was being decided. However, it isn't time to give up, we do have other options. <br /><br />Please make calls to the President and ask that he demand that the BLM not contiue with the removal which is slated to begin first thing in the morning. You can reach the switchboard at 202-456-1111 or 202-456-9000 . Calls need to be made RIGHT NOW.<br /><br />Also, it is possible that even if they do begin the roundups that through the courts they could be forced to return the animals to the range. This would be a disruption to the herds' social status and wouldn't help any animals injured or destroyed during the removals, but it is a far better fate than being held in captivity for the rest of their lives or being euthanized later when BLM can't pay for their care as they stated last year. <br /><br />So, again please call the President 202-456-1111 or 202-456-9000 and ask that he halt the removal of the Pryor Horses slated to begin in the morning and that he call a moratorium on all removals until the BLM addresses the questions and issues raised by Congress and the American public. Too much is at stake for us to sit idly by while these animals are forever removed or destroyed so they can never again run free and we lose such a big part of our heritage and our soul as a country.AHDF Presidenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826997341419839395noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7431334726688859967.post-20255107479436320582009-08-10T22:47:00.002-05:002009-08-11T00:05:06.749-05:00New Bill-S 1597Senator Robert Byrd has just corrected a problem with getting HR 1018 passed, a senate companion bill S 1597, also known as the ROAM Act. The bill was introduced August 5th and was read twice into the record and assigned to the Energy and Natural Resources Committee. This is the same committee that HR 1018 was assigned to. Currently it has no cosponsors listed. The bill is to "A bill to amend the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act to improve the management and long-term health of wild free-roaming horses and burros, and for other purposes. " (Please note that the words "and for other reasons" is not some sort of way to slide other things in, it is just specific language added to ALL bills. There is no conspiracy or other meaning to be attached to that phrase in Congress.) <br /><br />Why is it important to have both a Senate and House bill? If a bill only comes from the House it is seen as unimportant and without Senate support. The introduction of the Senate version shows that there is is some interest in the Senate and it helps move the bill along in the committee. Some little bills such as renaming a Post Office or federal building can originate in the House and not have a companion bill, but major changes NEED the companion bill to show that it is indeed an important issue.<br /><br />We thank Senator Byrd who has been an incredible supporter for humane issues, especially for the horses. His introduction of this bill will play a big part in seeing much needed updated protections for our wild horses and burros and to prevent their being managed for extinction. The ROAM Act (both versions) basically will open up new areas for wild horses and burros (including those areas removed from the program), end the long term warehousing of horses, decrease removals and ensure that wild horses and burros ARE considered as vital part of the ecosystem. It does so much to not only protect the horses, but also save the taxpayers money.<br /><br />Below is the text of the whole bill. (It is VERY long) However, it is virtually, if not exactly, the same language as the House version. This information is taken directly from www.thomas.loc.gov. This is where you can find information on all pending bills. Please call your Senators (you have 2 of these for every state) and ask that they not only support the bill, but also become a cosponsor.<br /><br /><center><h2>S.1579</h2></center><center><b>Restore Our American Mustangs Act (Introduced in Senate)</b></center><hr /><p> </p><h3>SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.</h3> <ul> This Act may be cited as the `Restore Our American Mustangs Act'.</ul> <h3>SEC. 2. REFERENCE.</h3> <ul> Except as otherwise expressly provided, whenever in this Act an amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of an amendment to, or repeal of, a section or other provision, the reference shall be considered to be made to a section or other provision of the Act of December 15, 1971 (commonly known as the `Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act'; 16 U.S.C. 1331 et seq.).</ul> <h3>SEC. 3. POLICY.</h3> <ul> The first section is amended by striking `in the area where presently found, as'.</ul> <h3>SEC. 4. DEFINITIONS.</h3> <ul> Section 2 (16 U.S.C. 1332) is amended--</ul> <ul><ul> (1) in paragraph (b), by inserting `born or present' after `unclaimed horses and burros';</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (2) in paragraph (c), by striking `which does not exceed their known territorial limits,';</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (3) in paragraph (d)--</ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (A) by inserting `and any associated foals' after `his mares'; and</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (B) by striking `and' after the semicolon;</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul> (4) in paragraph (e), by striking the period and inserting a semicolon;</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (5) in paragraph (f)--</ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (A) by striking `(1) which' and all that follows through `(2)';</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (B) by inserting `, in accordance with section 3(d),' after `from an area'; and</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (C) by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; and</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul> (6) by adding at the end the following:</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(g) `thriving natural ecological balance' means a condition that protects ecosystem health, the ecological processes that sustain ecosystem function and a diversity of life forms, including those species listed under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, and further ensures that wild horses and burros, livestock and wildlife species are given fair consideration in the allocation of resources on those lands where said species are authorized or managed consistent with the requirements of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (Public Law 94-579) and other applicable law; and</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(h) `fatally injured or terminally ill' means an animal exhibiting one or more of the following:</ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> `(1) A hopeless prognosis for life.</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> `(2) A chronic or incurable disease, injury, lameness, or serious physical defect (including severe tooth loss or wear, club foot, and other severe congenital abnormalities).</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> `(3) A condition requiring continuous treatment for the relief of pain and suffering in a domestic setting.</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> `(4) An acute or chronic illness, injury, physical condition or lameness that would preclude an acceptable quality of life for the foreseeable future.'.</ul></ul></ul> <h3>SEC. 5. INVENTORY AND DETERMINATIONS.</h3> <ul> (a) Section 3(a) (16 U.S.C. 1333(a)) is amended as follows:</ul> <ul><ul> (1) By striking `is authorized and directed to' and inserting `shall--</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(1)'.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (2) By striking `, and he may' and inserting a semicolon.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (3) By inserting before `designate' the following:</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(2)'.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (4) In paragraph (2) (as so designated)--</ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (A) by striking `their' and inserting `the';</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (B) by inserting `of wild free-roaming horses and burros' after `preservation';</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (C) by striking `wherein' and inserting `where';</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (D) by striking `deems' and inserting `, considers'; and</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (E) by striking `desirable. The Secretary shall' and inserting `desirable;</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(3)'.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (5) In paragraph (3) (as so designated), by striking the period after `public lands' and inserting a semicolon.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (6) By striking `He shall' and inserting the following:</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(4)'.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (7) In paragraph (4) (as so designated), by striking `of this Act.' and inserting `of this Act;'.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (8) By striking `All' and inserting the following:</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(5) ensure that'.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (9) In paragraph (5) (as so designated)--</ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (A) by inserting `related to wild free-roaming horses and burros are' after `activities';</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (B) by striking `shall be' both places it appears;</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (C) by inserting `relevant State' after `in consultation with the';</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (D) by striking `of the State wherein such lands are located';</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (E) by striking `which inhabit such lands'; and</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (F) by striking the period after `endangered wildlife species' and inserting a semicolon.</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul> (10) By striking `Any' and inserting the following:</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(6) ensure that any'.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (11) In paragraph (6) (as so designated)--</ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (A) by striking `on any such lands shall take' and inserting `are made after taking'; and</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (B) by striking `which inhabit such lands.' and inserting `; and'.</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul> (12) At the end of such subsection, add the following:</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(7) ensure that, to the extent practicable, the acreage available for wild and free-roaming horses and burros shall never be less than the acreage where wild and free-roaming horses and burros were found in 1971.'.</ul></ul> <ul> (b) Subsection (b)(1) of section 3 is amended as follows:</ul> <ul><ul> (1) By striking `(b)(1) The Secretary shall' and inserting the following:</ul></ul> <ul> `(b) In order to determine if a thriving natural ecological balance exists with regards to wild free-roaming horses and burros, the Secretary shall--</ul> <ul><ul> `(1)'.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (2) In paragraph (1) (as so designated)--</ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (A) by striking `a current' and inserting `an'; and</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (B) by striking the period after `public lands' and inserting a semicolon and the following:</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(2) update the inventory every two years; and</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(3) make the inventory available to the public on the Website of the Bureau of Land Management.'.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (3) By striking `The purpose' and all that follows through `the Secretary' and inserting the following:</ul></ul> <ul> `(c) In order to better manage and protect wild free-roaming horses and burros, and to achieve and maintain a thriving natural ecological balance, the Secretary, not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this section, shall take the following actions:</ul> <ul><ul> `(1) Adopt and employ the best scientific, peer-reviewed methods to accurately estimate wild free-roaming horse and burro populations on public lands for purposes of the inventory required in subsection (b).</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(2) Develop a policy and standards, with public involvement, for setting consistent, appropriate management levels on public lands, based on scientifically sound methodologies.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(3) Provide a public process, including a period for notice and comment, for finalizing appropriate management level standards.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(4) Publish and distribute these standards to each field office so that the methodology for estimating population and determining appropriate management levels is consistent across public lands.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(5) Train Federal personnel on the use of these standard techniques to estimate population and determine appropriate management levels.'.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (4) By striking `shall consult with' and inserting the following:</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(6) Develop and finalize the standards in consultation with--'.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (5)(A) By inserting `(A)' before `the United States Fish'.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (B) By inserting `(B)' before `wildlife agencies'.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (C) By striking `wherein' and inserting `where'.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (D) By striking `such individuals' and inserting `(C) individuals'.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (E) By striking `such other individuals' and inserting `(D) individuals'.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (F) By striking `he' and inserting `the Secretary'.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (G) By inserting `to' after `determines'.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (6) In subparagraphs (A) through (C) of paragraph (6) (as so designated), by striking each comma and inserting a semicolon.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (7) In subparagraphs (A) through (D) of paragraph (6) (as so designated), by moving the margins of such subparagraphs 4 ems to the right.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (8) After paragraph (6) (as so designated), by inserting the following:</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(7) Identify new, appropriate rangeland for wild free-roaming horses and burros, including use of land acquisitions, exchanges, conservation easements, voluntary grazing buyouts, and agreements with private landowners to allow for the federally supervised protection of wild horses and burros on private lands, except that the Secretary shall assess the effects of new range for wild free-roaming horses and burros on rangeland health, riparian zones, water quality, soil compaction, seed bed disturbance, native wildlife, and endangered or threatened species and transmit the results of the assessment to the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(8) Establish sanctuaries or exclusive use areas, except that the Secretary shall assess the effects of sanctuaries or exclusive use areas for wild free-roaming horses and burros on rangeland health, riparian zones, water quality, soil compaction, seed bed disturbance, native wildlife and endangered or threatened species and transmit the results of the assessment to the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(9) In identifying or designating any new rangeland, or establishing any sanctuary or exclusive use area for wild free-roaming horses and burros, the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture shall take into account and avoid any potential conflicts with wind, solar, geothermal, oil, natural gas, energy transmission, and mineral resources potential of the lands affected by the identification, designation, or establishment.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(10) Research, develop, and implement enhanced fertility control for mares, stallions, or both, such as surgical or immunocontraception sterilization or other safe, humane, and effective methods of fertility control.'.</ul></ul> <ul> (c) In subsection (b) of section 3, by striking `(2) Where' and inserting `(d) If'.</ul> <ul> (d) In subsection (d) (as so designated) of section 3--</ul> <ul><ul> (1) by striking `determines' and all that follows through `horses and burros to be' in subparagraph (B) and inserting `has exhausted all practicable options for maintaining a thriving natural ecological balance on the range, the Secretary may provide that wild free-roaming horses and burros are';</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (2) by striking `for which he determines' the first place it appears and inserting `so long as the Secretary has determined';</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (3) by striking `and for which he determines he can assure' and inserting `and the Secretary can ensure';</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (4) by striking `(including' and all that follows through `That, not' and inserting the following: `by requiring that--</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(1) no';</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (5) in paragraph (1) (as so designated)--</ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (A) by striking `animals' the first two places it appears and inserting `wild free-roaming horses and burros';</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (B) by striking `such' the first place it appears and inserting `the'; and</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (C) by striking `and' after the semicolon and adding the following:</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(2) each individual adopter shall execute an appropriate attestation, pursuant to section 1001 of title 18, United States Code, affirming that adopted animals or their remains shall not be sold or transferred for consideration for processing into commercial products; and</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(3) wild free-roaming horses and burros may not be contained in corrals or short-term holding facilities for more than 6 months while awaiting disposition.'; and</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (6) by striking subparagraph (C) and paragraph (3).</ul></ul> <ul> (e) Redesignate subsection (c) of section 3 as subsection (e) and in such subsection--</ul> <ul><ul> (1) by striking `Where excess animals have' and inserting `When a wild free-roaming horse or burro has';</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (2) by striking `a period of';</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (3) by striking `is authorized' and inserting `shall,';</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (4) by inserting a comma after `transferee';</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (5) by striking `to' before `grant';</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (6) by striking `title to not more than four animals to'; and</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (7) by striking `at the end of the one-year period' and inserting `title to that animal'.</ul></ul> <ul> (f) Redesignate subsection (d) of section 3 as subsection (f) and in such subsection--</ul> <ul><ul> (1) by striking `Wild' and inserting `(1) Except as provided for in paragraph (2), wild';</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (2) by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (4) as subparagraphs (A) through (D), respectively;</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (3) in subparagraph (A) (as so redesignated), by striking `(c) except for the limitation of subsection (c)(1)' and inserting `(e)';</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (4) in subparagraph (C) (as so redesignated), by striking `(b)'and inserting `(h)';</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (5) in subparagraph (D) (as so redesignated), by striking `; or' and inserting a period; and</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (6) in paragraph (5), by striking `(5)' and all that follows through `burro' and inserting the following:</ul></ul> <ul> `(2) No animal ever covered under this Act'.</ul> <ul> (g) By inserting after section 3(f) (as so redesignated) the following:</ul> <ul> `(g) Not later than one year after the date of enactment of this subsection, for the purposes of carrying out a successful wild free-roaming horse and burro adoption program the Secretary shall--</ul> <ul><ul> `(1) implement creative and more aggressive marketing strategies for the adoption program, including the use of the internet or other media to showcase horses and the adoption program;</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(2) explore public outreach opportunities, including agreements with local and State organizations that are using horses for rehabilitation, therapy, or prisoner programs;</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(3) provide resources to properly screen and train potential adopters;</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(4) conduct tours of Bureau of Land Management facilities for interested parties;</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(5) develop volunteer mentor and compliance check programs for assisting the agency in facilitating successful adoptions;</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(6) develop a program through which potential adopters may be offered an economic incentive for successful completion of the adoption process; and</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(7) take any and all other actions that the Secretary determines to be necessary and useful towards expanding the wild horse and burro adoption program.</ul></ul> <ul> `(h) The Secretary may not destroy or authorize the destruction of wild free-roaming horses or burros unless the Secretary--</ul> <ul><ul> `(1) determines that the wild free-roaming horse or burro is terminally ill or fatally injured; and</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(2) ensures that the terminally ill or fatally injured wild free-roaming horse or burro will be destroyed in the most humane manner.</ul></ul> <ul> `(i) If the immediate health or safety of wild free-roaming horses or burros is threatened, such as in severe drought conditions, the Secretary may temporarily remove animals from the range.</ul> <ul> `(j) The Secretary may remove from the range wild free-roaming horses and burros determined to be a threat to the health and well being of native plant or wildlife species.</ul> <ul> `(k) Except in cases of removal under subsection (d), (i), or (j), if the Secretary removes wild free-roaming horses or burros from an area, the Secretary shall provide a public notice on the Website of the Bureau of Land Management 30 days prior to the planned removal.</ul> <ul> `(l) The Secretary shall--</ul> <ul><ul> `(1) track the number of wild free-roaming horses and burros injured or killed during gathering or holding in a centralized database system;</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(2) determine what information on the treatment of gathered wild free-roaming horses and burros in holding and adopted wild free-roaming horses and burros could be provided to the public to help inform the public about the treatment of wild free-roaming horses and burros; and</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(3) ensure that such information is easily accessible on the Website of the Bureau of Land Management.'.</ul></ul> <ul> (h) By striking subsection (e) (relating to sale of excess animals).</ul> <h3>SEC. 6. PRIVATE MAINTENANCE.</h3> <ul> Section 4 (16 U.S.C. 1334) is amended--</ul> <ul><ul> (1) by striking `animals removed' and inserting `animals returned to public land'; and</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (2) by inserting `pursuant to section 3(h)' after `agents of the Secretary'.</ul></ul> <h3>SEC. 7. COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS.</h3> <ul> Section 6 (16 U.S.C. 1336) is amended by inserting `and other private entities' after `landowners'.</ul> <h3>SEC. 8. JOINT ADVISORY BOARD.</h3> <ul> Section 7 (16 U.S.C. 1337) is amended--</ul> <ul><ul> (1) by striking `nine' and inserting `12';</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (2) by striking `Governments' and all that follows `management.' and inserting `Governments and shall include three representatives of the livestock industry; three representatives of the environmental community; three representatives of the animal protection community; and three scientists with expertise in wildlife management, animal husbandry, or natural resource management.'; and</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (3) by adding at the end the following new sentence: `Nomination of members of the board shall be conducted by public notice and comment in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. appendix) and shall be for a term of four years. No individual shall serve more then two consecutive terms.'.</ul></ul> <h3>SEC. 9. CRIMINAL PROVISIONS.</h3> <ul> Section 8 (16 U.S.C. 1338) is amended--</ul> <ul><ul> (1) by striking `Any person who' and inserting `(a) Any person who'; and</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (2) in paragraph (4) of subsection (a) (as so designated)--</ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (A) by striking `except as provided in section 3(e),';</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (B) by inserting `, transports for processing,' after `processes';</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (C) by striking `the remains of a' and inserting `a live or deceased'; and</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (D) by inserting `for consideration' after `burro'.</ul></ul></ul> <h3>SEC. 10. LIMITATION OF AUTHORITY.</h3> Strike section 10 (16 U.S.C. )<br /><br /><h3>SEC. 2. REFERENCE.</h3> <ul> Except as otherwise expressly provided, whenever in this Act an amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of an amendment to, or repeal of, a section or other provision, the reference shall be considered to be made to a section or other provision of the Act of December 15, 1971 (commonly known as the `Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act'; 16 U.S.C. 1331 et seq.).</ul> <h3>SEC. 3. POLICY.</h3> <ul> The first section is amended by striking `in the area where presently found, as'.</ul> <h3>SEC. 4. DEFINITIONS.</h3> <ul> Section 2 (16 U.S.C. 1332) is amended--</ul> <ul><ul> (1) in paragraph (b), by inserting `born or present' after `unclaimed horses and burros';</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (2) in paragraph (c), by striking `which does not exceed their known territorial limits,';</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (3) in paragraph (d)--</ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (A) by inserting `and any associated foals' after `his mares'; and</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (B) by striking `and' after the semicolon;</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul> (4) in paragraph (e), by striking the period and inserting a semicolon;</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (5) in paragraph (f)--</ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (A) by striking `(1) which' and all that follows through `(2)';</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (B) by inserting `, in accordance with section 3(d),' after `from an area'; and</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (C) by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; and</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul> (6) by adding at the end the following:</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(g) `thriving natural ecological balance' means a condition that protects ecosystem health, the ecological processes that sustain ecosystem function and a diversity of life forms, including those species listed under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, and further ensures that wild horses and burros, livestock and wildlife species are given fair consideration in the allocation of resources on those lands where said species are authorized or managed consistent with the requirements of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (Public Law 94-579) and other applicable law; and</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(h) `fatally injured or terminally ill' means an animal exhibiting one or more of the following:</ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> `(1) A hopeless prognosis for life.</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> `(2) A chronic or incurable disease, injury, lameness, or serious physical defect (including severe tooth loss or wear, club foot, and other severe congenital abnormalities).</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> `(3) A condition requiring continuous treatment for the relief of pain and suffering in a domestic setting.</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> `(4) An acute or chronic illness, injury, physical condition or lameness that would preclude an acceptable quality of life for the foreseeable future.'.</ul></ul></ul> <h3>SEC. 5. INVENTORY AND DETERMINATIONS.</h3> <ul> (a) Section 3(a) (16 U.S.C. 1333(a)) is amended as follows:</ul> <ul><ul> (1) By striking `is authorized and directed to' and inserting `shall--</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(1)'.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (2) By striking `, and he may' and inserting a semicolon.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (3) By inserting before `designate' the following:</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(2)'.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (4) In paragraph (2) (as so designated)--</ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (A) by striking `their' and inserting `the';</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (B) by inserting `of wild free-roaming horses and burros' after `preservation';</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (C) by striking `wherein' and inserting `where';</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (D) by striking `deems' and inserting `, considers'; and</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (E) by striking `desirable. The Secretary shall' and inserting `desirable;</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(3)'.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (5) In paragraph (3) (as so designated), by striking the period after `public lands' and inserting a semicolon.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (6) By striking `He shall' and inserting the following:</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(4)'.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (7) In paragraph (4) (as so designated), by striking `of this Act.' and inserting `of this Act;'.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (8) By striking `All' and inserting the following:</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(5) ensure that'.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (9) In paragraph (5) (as so designated)--</ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (A) by inserting `related to wild free-roaming horses and burros are' after `activities';</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (B) by striking `shall be' both places it appears;</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (C) by inserting `relevant State' after `in consultation with the';</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (D) by striking `of the State wherein such lands are located';</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (E) by striking `which inhabit such lands'; and</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (F) by striking the period after `endangered wildlife species' and inserting a semicolon.</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul> (10) By striking `Any' and inserting the following:</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(6) ensure that any'.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (11) In paragraph (6) (as so designated)--</ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (A) by striking `on any such lands shall take' and inserting `are made after taking'; and</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (B) by striking `which inhabit such lands.' and inserting `; and'.</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul> (12) At the end of such subsection, add the following:</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(7) ensure that, to the extent practicable, the acreage available for wild and free-roaming horses and burros shall never be less than the acreage where wild and free-roaming horses and burros were found in 1971.'.</ul></ul> <ul> (b) Subsection (b)(1) of section 3 is amended as follows:</ul> <ul><ul> (1) By striking `(b)(1) The Secretary shall' and inserting the following:</ul></ul> <ul> `(b) In order to determine if a thriving natural ecological balance exists with regards to wild free-roaming horses and burros, the Secretary shall--</ul> <ul><ul> `(1)'.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (2) In paragraph (1) (as so designated)--</ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (A) by striking `a current' and inserting `an'; and</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (B) by striking the period after `public lands' and inserting a semicolon and the following:</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(2) update the inventory every two years; and</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(3) make the inventory available to the public on the Website of the Bureau of Land Management.'.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (3) By striking `The purpose' and all that follows through `the Secretary' and inserting the following:</ul></ul> <ul> `(c) In order to better manage and protect wild free-roaming horses and burros, and to achieve and maintain a thriving natural ecological balance, the Secretary, not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this section, shall take the following actions:</ul> <ul><ul> `(1) Adopt and employ the best scientific, peer-reviewed methods to accurately estimate wild free-roaming horse and burro populations on public lands for purposes of the inventory required in subsection (b).</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(2) Develop a policy and standards, with public involvement, for setting consistent, appropriate management levels on public lands, based on scientifically sound methodologies.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(3) Provide a public process, including a period for notice and comment, for finalizing appropriate management level standards.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(4) Publish and distribute these standards to each field office so that the methodology for estimating population and determining appropriate management levels is consistent across public lands.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(5) Train Federal personnel on the use of these standard techniques to estimate population and determine appropriate management levels.'.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (4) By striking `shall consult with' and inserting the following:</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(6) Develop and finalize the standards in consultation with--'.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (5)(A) By inserting `(A)' before `the United States Fish'.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (B) By inserting `(B)' before `wildlife agencies'.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (C) By striking `wherein' and inserting `where'.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (D) By striking `such individuals' and inserting `(C) individuals'.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (E) By striking `such other individuals' and inserting `(D) individuals'.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (F) By striking `he' and inserting `the Secretary'.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (G) By inserting `to' after `determines'.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (6) In subparagraphs (A) through (C) of paragraph (6) (as so designated), by striking each comma and inserting a semicolon.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (7) In subparagraphs (A) through (D) of paragraph (6) (as so designated), by moving the margins of such subparagraphs 4 ems to the right.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (8) After paragraph (6) (as so designated), by inserting the following:</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(7) Identify new, appropriate rangeland for wild free-roaming horses and burros, including use of land acquisitions, exchanges, conservation easements, voluntary grazing buyouts, and agreements with private landowners to allow for the federally supervised protection of wild horses and burros on private lands, except that the Secretary shall assess the effects of new range for wild free-roaming horses and burros on rangeland health, riparian zones, water quality, soil compaction, seed bed disturbance, native wildlife, and endangered or threatened species and transmit the results of the assessment to the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(8) Establish sanctuaries or exclusive use areas, except that the Secretary shall assess the effects of sanctuaries or exclusive use areas for wild free-roaming horses and burros on rangeland health, riparian zones, water quality, soil compaction, seed bed disturbance, native wildlife and endangered or threatened species and transmit the results of the assessment to the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(9) In identifying or designating any new rangeland, or establishing any sanctuary or exclusive use area for wild free-roaming horses and burros, the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture shall take into account and avoid any potential conflicts with wind, solar, geothermal, oil, natural gas, energy transmission, and mineral resources potential of the lands affected by the identification, designation, or establishment.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(10) Research, develop, and implement enhanced fertility control for mares, stallions, or both, such as surgical or immunocontraception sterilization or other safe, humane, and effective methods of fertility control.'.</ul></ul> <ul> (c) In subsection (b) of section 3, by striking `(2) Where' and inserting `(d) If'.</ul> <ul> (d) In subsection (d) (as so designated) of section 3--</ul> <ul><ul> (1) by striking `determines' and all that follows through `horses and burros to be' in subparagraph (B) and inserting `has exhausted all practicable options for maintaining a thriving natural ecological balance on the range, the Secretary may provide that wild free-roaming horses and burros are';</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (2) by striking `for which he determines' the first place it appears and inserting `so long as the Secretary has determined';</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (3) by striking `and for which he determines he can assure' and inserting `and the Secretary can ensure';</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (4) by striking `(including' and all that follows through `That, not' and inserting the following: `by requiring that--</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(1) no';</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (5) in paragraph (1) (as so designated)--</ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (A) by striking `animals' the first two places it appears and inserting `wild free-roaming horses and burros';</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (B) by striking `such' the first place it appears and inserting `the'; and</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (C) by striking `and' after the semicolon and adding the following:</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(2) each individual adopter shall execute an appropriate attestation, pursuant to section 1001 of title 18, United States Code, affirming that adopted animals or their remains shall not be sold or transferred for consideration for processing into commercial products; and</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(3) wild free-roaming horses and burros may not be contained in corrals or short-term holding facilities for more than 6 months while awaiting disposition.'; and</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (6) by striking subparagraph (C) and paragraph (3).</ul></ul> <ul> (e) Redesignate subsection (c) of section 3 as subsection (e) and in such subsection--</ul> <ul><ul> (1) by striking `Where excess animals have' and inserting `When a wild free-roaming horse or burro has';</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (2) by striking `a period of';</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (3) by striking `is authorized' and inserting `shall,';</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (4) by inserting a comma after `transferee';</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (5) by striking `to' before `grant';</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (6) by striking `title to not more than four animals to'; and</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (7) by striking `at the end of the one-year period' and inserting `title to that animal'.</ul></ul> <ul> (f) Redesignate subsection (d) of section 3 as subsection (f) and in such subsection--</ul> <ul><ul> (1) by striking `Wild' and inserting `(1) Except as provided for in paragraph (2), wild';</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (2) by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (4) as subparagraphs (A) through (D), respectively;</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (3) in subparagraph (A) (as so redesignated), by striking `(c) except for the limitation of subsection (c)(1)' and inserting `(e)';</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (4) in subparagraph (C) (as so redesignated), by striking `(b)'and inserting `(h)';</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (5) in subparagraph (D) (as so redesignated), by striking `; or' and inserting a period; and</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (6) in paragraph (5), by striking `(5)' and all that follows through `burro' and inserting the following:</ul></ul> <ul> `(2) No animal ever covered under this Act'.</ul> <ul> (g) By inserting after section 3(f) (as so redesignated) the following:</ul> <ul> `(g) Not later than one year after the date of enactment of this subsection, for the purposes of carrying out a successful wild free-roaming horse and burro adoption program the Secretary shall--</ul> <ul><ul> `(1) implement creative and more aggressive marketing strategies for the adoption program, including the use of the internet or other media to showcase horses and the adoption program;</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(2) explore public outreach opportunities, including agreements with local and State organizations that are using horses for rehabilitation, therapy, or prisoner programs;</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(3) provide resources to properly screen and train potential adopters;</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(4) conduct tours of Bureau of Land Management facilities for interested parties;</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(5) develop volunteer mentor and compliance check programs for assisting the agency in facilitating successful adoptions;</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(6) develop a program through which potential adopters may be offered an economic incentive for successful completion of the adoption process; and</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(7) take any and all other actions that the Secretary determines to be necessary and useful towards expanding the wild horse and burro adoption program.</ul></ul> <ul> `(h) The Secretary may not destroy or authorize the destruction of wild free-roaming horses or burros unless the Secretary--</ul> <ul><ul> `(1) determines that the wild free-roaming horse or burro is terminally ill or fatally injured; and</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(2) ensures that the terminally ill or fatally injured wild free-roaming horse or burro will be destroyed in the most humane manner.</ul></ul> <ul> `(i) If the immediate health or safety of wild free-roaming horses or burros is threatened, such as in severe drought conditions, the Secretary may temporarily remove animals from the range.</ul> <ul> `(j) The Secretary may remove from the range wild free-roaming horses and burros determined to be a threat to the health and well being of native plant or wildlife species.</ul> <ul> `(k) Except in cases of removal under subsection (d), (i), or (j), if the Secretary removes wild free-roaming horses or burros from an area, the Secretary shall provide a public notice on the Website of the Bureau of Land Management 30 days prior to the planned removal.</ul> <ul> `(l) The Secretary shall--</ul> <ul><ul> `(1) track the number of wild free-roaming horses and burros injured or killed during gathering or holding in a centralized database system;</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(2) determine what information on the treatment of gathered wild free-roaming horses and burros in holding and adopted wild free-roaming horses and burros could be provided to the public to help inform the public about the treatment of wild free-roaming horses and burros; and</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(3) ensure that such information is easily accessible on the Website of the Bureau of Land Management.'.</ul></ul> <ul> (h) By striking subsection (e) (relating to sale of excess animals).</ul> <h3>SEC. 6. PRIVATE MAINTENANCE.</h3> <ul> Section 4 (16 U.S.C. 1334) is amended--</ul> <ul><ul> (1) by striking `animals removed' and inserting `animals returned to public land'; and</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (2) by inserting `pursuant to section 3(h)' after `agents of the Secretary'.</ul></ul> <h3>SEC. 7. COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS.</h3> <ul> Section 6 (16 U.S.C. 1336) is amended by inserting `and other private entities' after `landowners'.</ul> <h3>SEC. 8. JOINT ADVISORY BOARD.</h3> <ul> Section 7 (16 U.S.C. 1337) is amended--</ul> <ul><ul> (1) by striking `nine' and inserting `12';</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (2) by striking `Governments' and all that follows `management.' and inserting `Governments and shall include three representatives of the livestock industry; three representatives of the environmental community; three representatives of the animal protection community; and three scientists with expertise in wildlife management, animal husbandry, or natural resource management.'; and</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (3) by adding at the end the following new sentence: `Nomination of members of the board shall be conducted by public notice and comment in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. appendix) and shall be for a term of four years. No individual shall serve more then two consecutive terms.'.</ul></ul> <h3>SEC. 9. CRIMINAL PROVISIONS.</h3> <ul> Section 8 (16 U.S.C. 1338) is amended--</ul> <ul><ul> (1) by striking `Any person who' and inserting `(a) Any person who'; and</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (2) in paragraph (4) of subsection (a) (as so designated)--</ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (A) by striking `except as provided in section 3(e),';</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (B) by inserting `, transports for processing,' after `processes';</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (C) by striking `the remains of a' and inserting `a live or deceased'; and</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (D) by inserting `for consideration' after `burro'.</ul></ul></ul> <h3>SEC. 10. LIMITATION OF AUTHORITY.</h3> <ul> Strike section 10 (16 U.S.C. 1339) and redesignate section 11 as section 10.</ul> <h3>SEC.</h3><h3>SEC. 2. REFERENCE.</h3> <ul> Except as otherwise expressly provided, whenever in this Act an amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of an amendment to, or repeal of, a section or other provision, the reference shall be considered to be made to a section or other provision of the Act of December 15, 1971 (commonly known as the `Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act'; 16 U.S.C. 1331 et seq.).</ul> <h3>SEC. 3. POLICY.</h3> <ul> The first section is amended by striking `in the area where presently found, as'.</ul> <h3>SEC. 4. DEFINITIONS.</h3> <ul> Section 2 (16 U.S.C. 1332) is amended--</ul> <ul><ul> (1) in paragraph (b), by inserting `born or present' after `unclaimed horses and burros';</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (2) in paragraph (c), by striking `which does not exceed their known territorial limits,';</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (3) in paragraph (d)--</ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (A) by inserting `and any associated foals' after `his mares'; and</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (B) by striking `and' after the semicolon;</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul> (4) in paragraph (e), by striking the period and inserting a semicolon;</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (5) in paragraph (f)--</ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (A) by striking `(1) which' and all that follows through `(2)';</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (B) by inserting `, in accordance with section 3(d),' after `from an area'; and</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (C) by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; and</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul> (6) by adding at the end the following:</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(g) `thriving natural ecological balance' means a condition that protects ecosystem health, the ecological processes that sustain ecosystem function and a diversity of life forms, including those species listed under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, and further ensures that wild horses and burros, livestock and wildlife species are given fair consideration in the allocation of resources on those lands where said species are authorized or managed consistent with the requirements of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (Public Law 94-579) and other applicable law; and</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(h) `fatally injured or terminally ill' means an animal exhibiting one or more of the following:</ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> `(1) A hopeless prognosis for life.</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> `(2) A chronic or incurable disease, injury, lameness, or serious physical defect (including severe tooth loss or wear, club foot, and other severe congenital abnormalities).</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> `(3) A condition requiring continuous treatment for the relief of pain and suffering in a domestic setting.</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> `(4) An acute or chronic illness, injury, physical condition or lameness that would preclude an acceptable quality of life for the foreseeable future.'.</ul></ul></ul> <h3>SEC. 5. INVENTORY AND DETERMINATIONS.</h3> <ul> (a) Section 3(a) (16 U.S.C. 1333(a)) is amended as follows:</ul> <ul><ul> (1) By striking `is authorized and directed to' and inserting `shall--</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(1)'.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (2) By striking `, and he may' and inserting a semicolon.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (3) By inserting before `designate' the following:</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(2)'.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (4) In paragraph (2) (as so designated)--</ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (A) by striking `their' and inserting `the';</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (B) by inserting `of wild free-roaming horses and burros' after `preservation';</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (C) by striking `wherein' and inserting `where';</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (D) by striking `deems' and inserting `, considers'; and</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (E) by striking `desirable. The Secretary shall' and inserting `desirable;</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(3)'.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (5) In paragraph (3) (as so designated), by striking the period after `public lands' and inserting a semicolon.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (6) By striking `He shall' and inserting the following:</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(4)'.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (7) In paragraph (4) (as so designated), by striking `of this Act.' and inserting `of this Act;'.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (8) By striking `All' and inserting the following:</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(5) ensure that'.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (9) In paragraph (5) (as so designated)--</ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (A) by inserting `related to wild free-roaming horses and burros are' after `activities';</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (B) by striking `shall be' both places it appears;</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (C) by inserting `relevant State' after `in consultation with the';</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (D) by striking `of the State wherein such lands are located';</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (E) by striking `which inhabit such lands'; and</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (F) by striking the period after `endangered wildlife species' and inserting a semicolon.</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul> (10) By striking `Any' and inserting the following:</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(6) ensure that any'.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (11) In paragraph (6) (as so designated)--</ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (A) by striking `on any such lands shall take' and inserting `are made after taking'; and</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (B) by striking `which inhabit such lands.' and inserting `; and'.</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul> (12) At the end of such subsection, add the following:</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(7) ensure that, to the extent practicable, the acreage available for wild and free-roaming horses and burros shall never be less than the acreage where wild and free-roaming horses and burros were found in 1971.'.</ul></ul> <ul> (b) Subsection (b)(1) of section 3 is amended as follows:</ul> <ul><ul> (1) By striking `(b)(1) The Secretary shall' and inserting the following:</ul></ul> <ul> `(b) In order to determine if a thriving natural ecological balance exists with regards to wild free-roaming horses and burros, the Secretary shall--</ul> <ul><ul> `(1)'.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (2) In paragraph (1) (as so designated)--</ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (A) by striking `a current' and inserting `an'; and</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (B) by striking the period after `public lands' and inserting a semicolon and the following:</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(2) update the inventory every two years; and</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(3) make the inventory available to the public on the Website of the Bureau of Land Management.'.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (3) By striking `The purpose' and all that follows through `the Secretary' and inserting the following:</ul></ul> <ul> `(c) In order to better manage and protect wild free-roaming horses and burros, and to achieve and maintain a thriving natural ecological balance, the Secretary, not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this section, shall take the following actions:</ul> <ul><ul> `(1) Adopt and employ the best scientific, peer-reviewed methods to accurately estimate wild free-roaming horse and burro populations on public lands for purposes of the inventory required in subsection (b).</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(2) Develop a policy and standards, with public involvement, for setting consistent, appropriate management levels on public lands, based on scientifically sound methodologies.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(3) Provide a public process, including a period for notice and comment, for finalizing appropriate management level standards.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(4) Publish and distribute these standards to each field office so that the methodology for estimating population and determining appropriate management levels is consistent across public lands.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(5) Train Federal personnel on the use of these standard techniques to estimate population and determine appropriate management levels.'.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (4) By striking `shall consult with' and inserting the following:</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(6) Develop and finalize the standards in consultation with--'.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (5)(A) By inserting `(A)' before `the United States Fish'.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (B) By inserting `(B)' before `wildlife agencies'.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (C) By striking `wherein' and inserting `where'.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (D) By striking `such individuals' and inserting `(C) individuals'.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (E) By striking `such other individuals' and inserting `(D) individuals'.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (F) By striking `he' and inserting `the Secretary'.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (G) By inserting `to' after `determines'.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (6) In subparagraphs (A) through (C) of paragraph (6) (as so designated), by striking each comma and inserting a semicolon.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (7) In subparagraphs (A) through (D) of paragraph (6) (as so designated), by moving the margins of such subparagraphs 4 ems to the right.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (8) After paragraph (6) (as so designated), by inserting the following:</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(7) Identify new, appropriate rangeland for wild free-roaming horses and burros, including use of land acquisitions, exchanges, conservation easements, voluntary grazing buyouts, and agreements with private landowners to allow for the federally supervised protection of wild horses and burros on private lands, except that the Secretary shall assess the effects of new range for wild free-roaming horses and burros on rangeland health, riparian zones, water quality, soil compaction, seed bed disturbance, native wildlife, and endangered or threatened species and transmit the results of the assessment to the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(8) Establish sanctuaries or exclusive use areas, except that the Secretary shall assess the effects of sanctuaries or exclusive use areas for wild free-roaming horses and burros on rangeland health, riparian zones, water quality, soil compaction, seed bed disturbance, native wildlife and endangered or threatened species and transmit the results of the assessment to the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(9) In identifying or designating any new rangeland, or establishing any sanctuary or exclusive use area for wild free-roaming horses and burros, the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture shall take into account and avoid any potential conflicts with wind, solar, geothermal, oil, natural gas, energy transmission, and mineral resources potential of the lands affected by the identification, designation, or establishment.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(10) Research, develop, and implement enhanced fertility control for mares, stallions, or both, such as surgical or immunocontraception sterilization or other safe, humane, and effective methods of fertility control.'.</ul></ul> <ul> (c) In subsection (b) of section 3, by striking `(2) Where' and inserting `(d) If'.</ul> <ul> (d) In subsection (d) (as so designated) of section 3--</ul> <ul><ul> (1) by striking `determines' and all that follows through `horses and burros to be' in subparagraph (B) and inserting `has exhausted all practicable options for maintaining a thriving natural ecological balance on the range, the Secretary may provide that wild free-roaming horses and burros are';</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (2) by striking `for which he determines' the first place it appears and inserting `so long as the Secretary has determined';</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (3) by striking `and for which he determines he can assure' and inserting `and the Secretary can ensure';</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (4) by striking `(including' and all that follows through `That, not' and inserting the following: `by requiring that--</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(1) no';</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (5) in paragraph (1) (as so designated)--</ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (A) by striking `animals' the first two places it appears and inserting `wild free-roaming horses and burros';</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (B) by striking `such' the first place it appears and inserting `the'; and</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (C) by striking `and' after the semicolon and adding the following:</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(2) each individual adopter shall execute an appropriate attestation, pursuant to section 1001 of title 18, United States Code, affirming that adopted animals or their remains shall not be sold or transferred for consideration for processing into commercial products; and</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(3) wild free-roaming horses and burros may not be contained in corrals or short-term holding facilities for more than 6 months while awaiting disposition.'; and</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (6) by striking subparagraph (C) and paragraph (3).</ul></ul> <ul> (e) Redesignate subsection (c) of section 3 as subsection (e) and in such subsection--</ul> <ul><ul> (1) by striking `Where excess animals have' and inserting `When a wild free-roaming horse or burro has';</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (2) by striking `a period of';</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (3) by striking `is authorized' and inserting `shall,';</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (4) by inserting a comma after `transferee';</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (5) by striking `to' before `grant';</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (6) by striking `title to not more than four animals to'; and</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (7) by striking `at the end of the one-year period' and inserting `title to that animal'.</ul></ul> <ul> (f) Redesignate subsection (d) of section 3 as subsection (f) and in such subsection--</ul> <ul><ul> (1) by striking `Wild' and inserting `(1) Except as provided for in paragraph (2), wild';</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (2) by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (4) as subparagraphs (A) through (D), respectively;</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (3) in subparagraph (A) (as so redesignated), by striking `(c) except for the limitation of subsection (c)(1)' and inserting `(e)';</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (4) in subparagraph (C) (as so redesignated), by striking `(b)'and inserting `(h)';</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (5) in subparagraph (D) (as so redesignated), by striking `; or' and inserting a period; and</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (6) in paragraph (5), by striking `(5)' and all that follows through `burro' and inserting the following:</ul></ul> <ul> `(2) No animal ever covered under this Act'.</ul> <ul> (g) By inserting after section 3(f) (as so redesignated) the following:</ul> <ul> `(g) Not later than one year after the date of enactment of this subsection, for the purposes of carrying out a successful wild free-roaming horse and burro adoption program the Secretary shall--</ul> <ul><ul> `(1) implement creative and more aggressive marketing strategies for the adoption program, including the use of the internet or other media to showcase horses and the adoption program;</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(2) explore public outreach opportunities, including agreements with local and State organizations that are using horses for rehabilitation, therapy, or prisoner programs;</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(3) provide resources to properly screen and train potential adopters;</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(4) conduct tours of Bureau of Land Management facilities for interested parties;</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(5) develop volunteer mentor and compliance check programs for assisting the agency in facilitating successful adoptions;</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(6) develop a program through which potential adopters may be offered an economic incentive for successful completion of the adoption process; and</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(7) take any and all other actions that the Secretary determines to be necessary and useful towards expanding the wild horse and burro adoption program.</ul></ul> <ul> `(h) The Secretary may not destroy or authorize the destruction of wild free-roaming horses or burros unless the Secretary--</ul> <ul><ul> `(1) determines that the wild free-roaming horse or burro is terminally ill or fatally injured; and</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(2) ensures that the terminally ill or fatally injured wild free-roaming horse or burro will be destroyed in the most humane manner.</ul></ul> <ul> `(i) If the immediate health or safety of wild free-roaming horses or burros is threatened, such as in severe drought conditions, the Secretary may temporarily remove animals from the range.</ul> <ul> `(j) The Secretary may remove from the range wild free-roaming horses and burros determined to be a threat to the health and well being of native plant or wildlife species.</ul> <ul> `(k) Except in cases of removal under subsection (d), (i), or (j), if the Secretary removes wild free-roaming horses or burros from an area, the Secretary shall provide a public notice on the Website of the Bureau of Land Management 30 days prior to the planned removal.</ul> <ul> `(l) The Secretary shall--</ul> <ul><ul> `(1) track the number of wild free-roaming horses and burros injured or killed during gathering or holding in a centralized database system;</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(2) determine what information on the treatment of gathered wild free-roaming horses and burros in holding and adopted wild free-roaming horses and burros could be provided to the public to help inform the public about the treatment of wild free-roaming horses and burros; and</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(3) ensure that such information is easily accessible on the Website of the Bureau of Land Management.'.</ul></ul> <ul> (h) By striking subsection (e) (relating to sale of excess animals).</ul> <h3>SEC. 6. PRIVATE MAINTENANCE.</h3> <ul> Section 4 (16 U.S.C. 1334) is amended--</ul> <ul><ul> (1) by striking `animals removed' and inserting `animals returned to public land'; and</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (2) by inserting `pursuant to section 3(h)' after `agents of the Secretary'.</ul></ul> <h3>SEC. 7. COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS.</h3> <ul> Section 6 (16 U.S.C. 1336) is amended by inserting `and other private entities' after `landowners'.</ul> <h3>SEC. 8. JOINT ADVISORY BOARD.</h3> <ul> Section 7 (16 U.S.C. 1337) is amended--</ul> <ul><ul> (1) by striking `nine' and inserting `12';</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (2) by striking `Governments' and all that follows `management.' and inserting `Governments and shall include three representatives of the livestock industry; three representatives of the environmental community; three representatives of the animal protection community; and three scientists with expertise in wildlife management, animal husbandry, or natural resource management.'; and</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (3) by adding at the end the following new sentence: `Nomination of members of the board shall be conducted by public notice and comment in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. appendix) and shall be for a term of four years. No individual shall serve more then two consecutive terms.'.</ul></ul> <h3>SEC. 9. CRIMINAL PROVISIONS.</h3> <ul> Section 8 (16 U.S.C. 1338) is amended--</ul> <ul><ul> (1) by striking `Any person who' and inserting `(a) Any person who'; and</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (2) in paragraph (4) of subsection (a) (as so designated)--</ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (A) by striking `except as provided in section 3(e),';</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (B) by inserting `, transports for processing,' after `processes';</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (C) by striking `the remains of a' and inserting `a live or deceased'; and</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (D) by inserting `for consideration' after `burro'.</ul></ul></ul> <h3>SEC. 10. LIMITATION OF AUTHORITY.</h3> <ul> Strike section 10 (16 U.S.C. 1339) and redesignate section 11 as section 10.</ul><br /><h3>SEC. 4. DEFINITIONS.</h3> <ul> Section 2 (16 U.S.C. 1332) is amended--</ul> <ul><ul> (1) in paragraph (b), by inserting `born or present' after `unclaimed horses and burros';</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (2) in paragraph (c), by striking `which does not exceed their known territorial limits,';</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (3) in paragraph (d)--</ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (A) by inserting `and any associated foals' after `his mares'; and</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (B) by striking `and' after the semicolon;</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul> (4) in paragraph (e), by striking the period and inserting a semicolon;</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (5) in paragraph (f)--</ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (A) by striking `(1) which' and all that follows through `(2)';</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (B) by inserting `, in accordance with section 3(d),' after `from an area'; and</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (C) by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; and</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul> (6) by adding at the end the following:</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(g) `thriving natural ecological balance' means a condition that protects ecosystem health, the ecological processes that sustain ecosystem function and a diversity of life forms, including those species listed under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, and further ensures that wild horses and burros, livestock and wildlife species are given fair consideration in the allocation of resources on those lands where said species are authorized or managed consistent with the requirements of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (Public Law 94-579) and other applicable law; and</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(h) `fatally injured or terminally ill' means an animal exhibiting one or more of the following:</ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> `(1) A hopeless prognosis for life.</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> `(2) A chronic or incurable disease, injury, lameness, or serious physical defect (including severe tooth loss or wear, club foot, and other severe congenital abnormalities).</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> `(3) A condition requiring continuous treatment for the relief of pain and suffering in a domestic setting.</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> `(4) An acute or chronic illness, injury, physical condition or lameness that would preclude an acceptable quality of life for the foreseeable future.'.</ul></ul></ul> <h3>SEC. 5. INVENTORY AND DETERMINATIONS.</h3> <ul> (a) Section 3(a) (16 U.S.C. 1333(a)) is amended as follows:</ul> <ul><ul> (1) By striking `is authorized and directed to' and inserting `shall--</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(1)'.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (2) By striking `, and he may' and inserting a semicolon.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (3) By inserting before `designate' the following:</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(2)'.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (4) In paragraph (2) (as so designated)--</ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (A) by striking `their' and inserting `the';</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (B) by inserting `of wild free-roaming horses and burros' after `preservation';</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (C) by striking `wherein' and inserting `where';</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (D) by striking `deems' and inserting `, considers'; and</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (E) by striking `desirable. The Secretary shall' and inserting `desirable;</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(3)'.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (5) In paragraph (3) (as so designated), by striking the period after `public lands' and inserting a semicolon.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (6) By striking `He shall' and inserting the following:</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(4)'.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (7) In paragraph (4) (as so designated), by striking `of this Act.' and inserting `of this Act;'.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (8) By striking `All' and inserting the following:</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(5) ensure that'.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (9) In paragraph (5) (as so designated)--</ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (A) by inserting `related to wild free-roaming horses and burros are' after `activities';</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (B) by striking `shall be' both places it appears;</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (C) by inserting `relevant State' after `in consultation with the';</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (D) by striking `of the State wherein such lands are located';</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (E) by striking `which inhabit such lands'; and</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (F) by striking the period after `endangered wildlife species' and inserting a semicolon.</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul> (10) By striking `Any' and inserting the following:</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(6) ensure that any'.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (11) In paragraph (6) (as so designated)--</ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (A) by striking `on any such lands shall take' and inserting `are made after taking'; and</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (B) by striking `which inhabit such lands.' and inserting `; and'.</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul> (12) At the end of such subsection, add the following:</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(7) ensure that, to the extent practicable, the acreage available for wild and free-roaming horses and burros shall never be less than the acreage where wild and free-roaming horses and burros were found in 1971.'.</ul></ul> <ul> (b) Subsection (b)(1) of section 3 is amended as follows:</ul> <ul><ul> (1) By striking `(b)(1) The Secretary shall' and inserting the following:</ul></ul> <ul> `(b) In order to determine if a thriving natural ecological balance exists with regards to wild free-roaming horses and burros, the Secretary shall--</ul> <ul><ul> `(1)'.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (2) In paragraph (1) (as so designated)--</ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (A) by striking `a current' and inserting `an'; and</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (B) by striking the period after `public lands' and inserting a semicolon and the following:</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(2) update the inventory every two years; and</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(3) make the inventory available to the public on the Website of the Bureau of Land Management.'.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (3) By striking `The purpose' and all that follows through `the Secretary' and inserting the following:</ul></ul> <ul> `(c) In order to better manage and protect wild free-roaming horses and burros, and to achieve and maintain a thriving natural ecological balance, the Secretary, not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this section, shall take the following actions:</ul> <ul><ul> `(1) Adopt and employ the best scientific, peer-reviewed methods to accurately estimate wild free-roaming horse and burro populations on public lands for purposes of the inventory required in subsection (b).</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(2) Develop a policy and standards, with public involvement, for setting consistent, appropriate management levels on public lands, based on scientifically sound methodologies.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(3) Provide a public process, including a period for notice and comment, for finalizing appropriate management level standards.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(4) Publish and distribute these standards to each field office so that the methodology for estimating population and determining appropriate management levels is consistent across public lands.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(5) Train Federal personnel on the use of these standard techniques to estimate population and determine appropriate management levels.'.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (4) By striking `shall consult with' and inserting the following:</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(6) Develop and finalize the standards in consultation with--'.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (5)(A) By inserting `(A)' before `the United States Fish'.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (B) By inserting `(B)' before `wildlife agencies'.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (C) By striking `wherein' and inserting `where'.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (D) By striking `such individuals' and inserting `(C) individuals'.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (E) By striking `such other individuals' and inserting `(D) individuals'.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (F) By striking `he' and inserting `the Secretary'.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (G) By inserting `to' after `determines'.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (6) In subparagraphs (A) through (C) of paragraph (6) (as so designated), by striking each comma and inserting a semicolon.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (7) In subparagraphs (A) through (D) of paragraph (6) (as so designated), by moving the margins of such subparagraphs 4 ems to the right.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (8) After paragraph (6) (as so designated), by inserting the following:</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(7) Identify new, appropriate rangeland for wild free-roaming horses and burros, including use of land acquisitions, exchanges, conservation easements, voluntary grazing buyouts, and agreements with private landowners to allow for the federally supervised protection of wild horses and burros on private lands, except that the Secretary shall assess the effects of new range for wild free-roaming horses and burros on rangeland health, riparian zones, water quality, soil compaction, seed bed disturbance, native wildlife, and endangered or threatened species and transmit the results of the assessment to the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(8) Establish sanctuaries or exclusive use areas, except that the Secretary shall assess the effects of sanctuaries or exclusive use areas for wild free-roaming horses and burros on rangeland health, riparian zones, water quality, soil compaction, seed bed disturbance, native wildlife and endangered or threatened species and transmit the results of the assessment to the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(9) In identifying or designating any new rangeland, or establishing any sanctuary or exclusive use area for wild free-roaming horses and burros, the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture shall take into account and avoid any potential conflicts with wind, solar, geothermal, oil, natural gas, energy transmission, and mineral resources potential of the lands affected by the identification, designation, or establishment.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(10) Research, develop, and implement enhanced fertility control for mares, stallions, or both, such as surgical or immunocontraception sterilization or other safe, humane, and effective methods of fertility control.'.</ul></ul> <ul> (c) In subsection (b) of section 3, by striking `(2) Where' and inserting `(d) If'.</ul> <ul> (d) In subsection (d) (as so designated) of section 3--</ul> <ul><ul> (1) by striking `determines' and all that follows through `horses and burros to be' in subparagraph (B) and inserting `has exhausted all practicable options for maintaining a thriving natural ecological balance on the range, the Secretary may provide that wild free-roaming horses and burros are';</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (2) by striking `for which he determines' the first place it appears and inserting `so long as the Secretary has determined';</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (3) by striking `and for which he determines he can assure' and inserting `and the Secretary can ensure';</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (4) by striking `(including' and all that follows through `That, not' and inserting the following: `by requiring that--</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(1) no';</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (5) in paragraph (1) (as so designated)--</ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (A) by striking `animals' the first two places it appears and inserting `wild free-roaming horses and burros';</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (B) by striking `such' the first place it appears and inserting `the'; and</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (C) by striking `and' after the semicolon and adding the following:</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(2) each individual adopter shall execute an appropriate attestation, pursuant to section 1001 of title 18, United States Code, affirming that adopted animals or their remains shall not be sold or transferred for consideration for processing into commercial products; and</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(3) wild free-roaming horses and burros may not be contained in corrals or short-term holding facilities for more than 6 months while awaiting disposition.'; and</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (6) by striking subparagraph (C) and paragraph (3).</ul></ul> <ul> (e) Redesignate subsection (c) of section 3 as subsection (e) and in such subsection--</ul> <ul><ul> (1) by striking `Where excess animals have' and inserting `When a wild free-roaming horse or burro has';</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (2) by striking `a period of';</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (3) by striking `is authorized' and inserting `shall,';</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (4) by inserting a comma after `transferee';</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (5) by striking `to' before `grant';</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (6) by striking `title to not more than four animals to'; and</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (7) by striking `at the end of the one-year period' and inserting `title to that animal'.</ul></ul> <ul> (f) Redesignate subsection (d) of section 3 as subsection (f) and in such subsection--</ul> <ul><ul> (1) by striking `Wild' and inserting `(1) Except as provided for in paragraph (2), wild';</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (2) by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (4) as subparagraphs (A) through (D), respectively;</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (3) in subparagraph (A) (as so redesignated), by striking `(c) except for the limitation of subsection (c)(1)' and inserting `(e)';</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (4) in subparagraph (C) (as so redesignated), by striking `(b)'and inserting `(h)';</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (5) in subparagraph (D) (as so redesignated), by striking `; or' and inserting a period; and</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (6) in paragraph (5), by striking `(5)' and all that follows through `burro' and inserting the following:</ul></ul> <ul> `(2) No animal ever covered under this Act'.</ul> <ul> (g) By inserting after section 3(f) (as so redesignated) the following:</ul> <ul> `(g) Not later than one year after the date of enactment of this subsection, for the purposes of carrying out a successful wild free-roaming horse and burro adoption program the Secretary shall--</ul> <ul><ul> `(1) implement creative and more aggressive marketing strategies for the adoption program, including the use of the internet or other media to showcase horses and the adoption program;</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(2) explore public outreach opportunities, including agreements with local and State organizations that are using horses for rehabilitation, therapy, or prisoner programs;</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(3) provide resources to properly screen and train potential adopters;</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(4) conduct tours of Bureau of Land Management facilities for interested parties;</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(5) develop volunteer mentor and compliance check programs for assisting the agency in facilitating successful adoptions;</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(6) develop a program through which potential adopters may be offered an economic incentive for successful completion of the adoption process; and</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(7) take any and all other actions that the Secretary determines to be necessary and useful towards expanding the wild horse and burro adoption program.</ul></ul> <ul> `(h) The Secretary may not destroy or authorize the destruction of wild free-roaming horses or burros unless the Secretary--</ul> <ul><ul> `(1) determines that the wild free-roaming horse or burro is terminally ill or fatally injured; and</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(2) ensures that the terminally ill or fatally injured wild free-roaming horse or burro will be destroyed in the most humane manner.</ul></ul> <ul> `(i) If the immediate health or safety of wild free-roaming horses or burros is threatened, such as in severe drought conditions, the Secretary may temporarily remove animals from the range.</ul> <ul> `(j) The Secretary may remove from the range wild free-roaming horses and burros determined to be a threat to the health and well being of native plant or wildlife species.</ul> <ul> `(k) Except in cases of removal under subsection (d), (i), or (j), if the Secretary removes wild free-roaming horses or burros from an area, the Secretary shall provide a public notice on the Website of the Bureau of Land Management 30 days prior to the planned removal.</ul> <ul> `(l) The Secretary shall--</ul> <ul><ul> `(1) track the number of wild free-roaming horses and burros injured or killed during gathering or holding in a centralized database system;</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(2) determine what information on the treatment of gathered wild free-roaming horses and burros in holding and adopted wild free-roaming horses and burros could be provided to the public to help inform the public about the treatment of wild free-roaming horses and burros; and</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(3) ensure that such information is easily accessible on the Website of the Bureau of Land Management.'.</ul></ul> <ul> (h) By striking subsection (e) (relating to sale of excess animals).</ul> <h3>SEC. 6. PRIVATE MAINTENANCE.</h3> <ul> Section 4 (16 U.S.C. 1334) is amended--</ul> <ul><ul> (1) by striking `animals removed' and inserting `animals returned to public land'; and</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (2) by inserting `pursuant to section 3(h)' after `agents of the Secretary'.</ul></ul> <h3>SEC. 7. COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS.</h3> <ul> Section 6 (16 U.S.C. 1336) is amended by inserting `and other private entities' after `landowners'.</ul> <h3>SEC. 8. JOINT ADVISORY BOARD.</h3> <ul> Section 7 (16 U.S.C. 1337) is amended--</ul> <ul><ul> (1) by striking `nine' and inserting `12';</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (2) by striking `Governments' and all that follows `management.' and inserting `Governments and shall include three representatives of the livestock industry; three representatives of the environmental community; three representatives of the animal protection community; and three scientists with expertise in wildlife management, animal husbandry, or natural resource management.'; and</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (3) by adding at the end the following new sentence: `Nomination of members of the board shall be conducted by public notice and comment in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. appendix) and shall be for a term of four years. No individual shall serve more then two consecutive terms.'.</ul></ul> <h3>SEC. 9. CRIMINAL PROVISIONS.</h3> <ul> Section 8 (16 U.S.C. 1338) is amended--</ul> <ul><ul> (1) by striking `Any person who' and inserting `(a) Any person who'; and</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (2) in paragraph (4) of subsection (a) (as so designated)--</ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (A) by striking `except as provided in section 3(e),';</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (B) by inserting `, transports for processing,' after `processes';</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (C) by striking `the remains of a' and inserting `a live or deceased'; and</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (D) by inserting `for consideration' after `burro'.</ul></ul></ul> <h3>SEC. 10. LIMITATION OF AUTHORITY.</h3> <ul> Strike section 10 (16 U.S.C. 1339) and redesignate section 11 as section 10.</ul> <h3>SEC. 11. REPORTS.</h3> <ul> Section 10 (as so redesignated by section 10 of this Act) is amended as follows:</ul> <ul><ul> (1) By striking `After the expiration' and all that follows through `thereafter' and inserting `(a)(1) Not later than one year after the date of enactment of this subsection and annually thereafter'.</ul></ul> (2) By striking `will submit to Congress a joint report' and inserting `shall submit to the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and<br /><br /><h3>SEC. 5. INVENTORY AND DETERMINATIONS.</h3> <ul> (a) Section 3(a) (16 U.S.C. 1333(a)) is amended as follows:</ul> <ul><ul> (1) By striking `is authorized and directed to' and inserting `shall--</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(1)'.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (2) By striking `, and he may' and inserting a semicolon.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (3) By inserting before `designate' the following:</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(2)'.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (4) In paragraph (2) (as so designated)--</ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (A) by striking `their' and inserting `the';</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (B) by inserting `of wild free-roaming horses and burros' after `preservation';</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (C) by striking `wherein' and inserting `where';</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (D) by striking `deems' and inserting `, considers'; and</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (E) by striking `desirable. The Secretary shall' and inserting `desirable;</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(3)'.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (5) In paragraph (3) (as so designated), by striking the period after `public lands' and inserting a semicolon.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (6) By striking `He shall' and inserting the following:</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(4)'.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (7) In paragraph (4) (as so designated), by striking `of this Act.' and inserting `of this Act;'.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (8) By striking `All' and inserting the following:</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(5) ensure that'.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (9) In paragraph (5) (as so designated)--</ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (A) by inserting `related to wild free-roaming horses and burros are' after `activities';</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (B) by striking `shall be' both places it appears;</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (C) by inserting `relevant State' after `in consultation with the';</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (D) by striking `of the State wherein such lands are located';</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (E) by striking `which inhabit such lands'; and</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (F) by striking the period after `endangered wildlife species' and inserting a semicolon.</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul> (10) By striking `Any' and inserting the following:</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(6) ensure that any'.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (11) In paragraph (6) (as so designated)--</ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (A) by striking `on any such lands shall take' and inserting `are made after taking'; and</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (B) by striking `which inhabit such lands.' and inserting `; and'.</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul> (12) At the end of such subsection, add the following:</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(7) ensure that, to the extent practicable, the acreage available for wild and free-roaming horses and burros shall never be less than the acreage where wild and free-roaming horses and burros were found in 1971.'.</ul></ul> <ul> (b) Subsection (b)(1) of section 3 is amended as follows:</ul> <ul><ul> (1) By striking `(b)(1) The Secretary shall' and inserting the following:</ul></ul> <ul> `(b) In order to determine if a thriving natural ecological balance exists with regards to wild free-roaming horses and burros, the Secretary shall--</ul> <ul><ul> `(1)'.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (2) In paragraph (1) (as so designated)--</ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (A) by striking `a current' and inserting `an'; and</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (B) by striking the period after `public lands' and inserting a semicolon and the following:</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(2) update the inventory every two years; and</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(3) make the inventory available to the public on the Website of the Bureau of Land Management.'.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (3) By striking `The purpose' and all that follows through `the Secretary' and inserting the following:</ul></ul> <ul> `(c) In order to better manage and protect wild free-roaming horses and burros, and to achieve and maintain a thriving natural ecological balance, the Secretary, not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this section, shall take the following actions:</ul> <ul><ul> `(1) Adopt and employ the best scientific, peer-reviewed methods to accurately estimate wild free-roaming horse and burro populations on public lands for purposes of the inventory required in subsection (b).</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(2) Develop a policy and standards, with public involvement, for setting consistent, appropriate management levels on public lands, based on scientifically sound methodologies.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(3) Provide a public process, including a period for notice and comment, for finalizing appropriate management level standards.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(4) Publish and distribute these standards to each field office so that the methodology for estimating population and determining appropriate management levels is consistent across public lands.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(5) Train Federal personnel on the use of these standard techniques to estimate population and determine appropriate management levels.'.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (4) By striking `shall consult with' and inserting the following:</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(6) Develop and finalize the standards in consultation with--'.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (5)(A) By inserting `(A)' before `the United States Fish'.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (B) By inserting `(B)' before `wildlife agencies'.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (C) By striking `wherein' and inserting `where'.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (D) By striking `such individuals' and inserting `(C) individuals'.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (E) By striking `such other individuals' and inserting `(D) individuals'.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (F) By striking `he' and inserting `the Secretary'.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (G) By inserting `to' after `determines'.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (6) In subparagraphs (A) through (C) of paragraph (6) (as so designated), by striking each comma and inserting a semicolon.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (7) In subparagraphs (A) through (D) of paragraph (6) (as so designated), by moving the margins of such subparagraphs 4 ems to the right.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (8) After paragraph (6) (as so designated), by inserting the following:</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(7) Identify new, appropriate rangeland for wild free-roaming horses and burros, including use of land acquisitions, exchanges, conservation easements, voluntary grazing buyouts, and agreements with private landowners to allow for the federally supervised protection of wild horses and burros on private lands, except that the Secretary shall assess the effects of new range for wild free-roaming horses and burros on rangeland health, riparian zones, water quality, soil compaction, seed bed disturbance, native wildlife, and endangered or threatened species and transmit the results of the assessment to the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(8) Establish sanctuaries or exclusive use areas, except that the Secretary shall assess the effects of sanctuaries or exclusive use areas for wild free-roaming horses and burros on rangeland health, riparian zones, water quality, soil compaction, seed bed disturbance, native wildlife and endangered or threatened species and transmit the results of the assessment to the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(9) In identifying or designating any new rangeland, or establishing any sanctuary or exclusive use area for wild free-roaming horses and burros, the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture shall take into account and avoid any potential conflicts with wind, solar, geothermal, oil, natural gas, energy transmission, and mineral resources potential of the lands affected by the identification, designation, or establishment.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(10) Research, develop, and implement enhanced fertility control for mares, stallions, or both, such as surgical or immunocontraception sterilization or other safe, humane, and effective methods of fertility control.'.</ul></ul> <ul> (c) In subsection (b) of section 3, by striking `(2) Where' and inserting `(d) If'.</ul> <ul> (d) In subsection (d) (as so designated) of section 3--</ul> <ul><ul> (1) by striking `determines' and all that follows through `horses and burros to be' in subparagraph (B) and inserting `has exhausted all practicable options for maintaining a thriving natural ecological balance on the range, the Secretary may provide that wild free-roaming horses and burros are';</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (2) by striking `for which he determines' the first place it appears and inserting `so long as the Secretary has determined';</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (3) by striking `and for which he determines he can assure' and inserting `and the Secretary can ensure';</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (4) by striking `(including' and all that follows through `That, not' and inserting the following: `by requiring that--</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(1) no';</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (5) in paragraph (1) (as so designated)--</ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (A) by striking `animals' the first two places it appears and inserting `wild free-roaming horses and burros';</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (B) by striking `such' the first place it appears and inserting `the'; and</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (C) by striking `and' after the semicolon and adding the following:</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(2) each individual adopter shall execute an appropriate attestation, pursuant to section 1001 of title 18, United States Code, affirming that adopted animals or their remains shall not be sold or transferred for consideration for processing into commercial products; and</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(3) wild free-roaming horses and burros may not be contained in corrals or short-term holding facilities for more than 6 months while awaiting disposition.'; and</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (6) by striking subparagraph (C) and paragraph (3).</ul></ul> <ul> (e) Redesignate subsection (c) of section 3 as subsection (e) and in such subsection--</ul> <ul><ul> (1) by striking `Where excess animals have' and inserting `When a wild free-roaming horse or burro has';</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (2) by striking `a period of';</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (3) by striking `is authorized' and inserting `shall,';</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (4) by inserting a comma after `transferee';</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (5) by striking `to' before `grant';</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (6) by striking `title to not more than four animals to'; and</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (7) by striking `at the end of the one-year period' and inserting `title to that animal'.</ul></ul> <ul> (f) Redesignate subsection (d) of section 3 as subsection (f) and in such subsection--</ul> <ul><ul> (1) by striking `Wild' and inserting `(1) Except as provided for in paragraph (2), wild';</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (2) by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (4) as subparagraphs (A) through (D), respectively;</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (3) in subparagraph (A) (as so redesignated), by striking `(c) except for the limitation of subsection (c)(1)' and inserting `(e)';</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (4) in subparagraph (C) (as so redesignated), by striking `(b)'and inserting `(h)';</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (5) in subparagraph (D) (as so redesignated), by striking `; or' and inserting a period; and</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (6) in paragraph (5), by striking `(5)' and all that follows through `burro' and inserting the following:</ul></ul> <ul> `(2) No animal ever covered under this Act'.</ul> <ul> (g) By inserting after section 3(f) (as so redesignated) the following:</ul> <ul> `(g) Not later than one year after the date of enactment of this subsection, for the purposes of carrying out a successful wild free-roaming horse and burro adoption program the Secretary shall--</ul> <ul><ul> `(1) implement creative and more aggressive marketing strategies for the adoption program, including the use of the internet or other media to showcase horses and the adoption program;</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(2) explore public outreach opportunities, including agreements with local and State organizations that are using horses for rehabilitation, therapy, or prisoner programs;</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(3) provide resources to properly screen and train potential adopters;</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(4) conduct tours of Bureau of Land Management facilities for interested parties;</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(5) develop volunteer mentor and compliance check programs for assisting the agency in facilitating successful adoptions;</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(6) develop a program through which potential adopters may be offered an economic incentive for successful completion of the adoption process; and</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(7) take any and all other actions that the Secretary determines to be necessary and useful towards expanding the wild horse and burro adoption program.</ul></ul> <ul> `(h) The Secretary may not destroy or authorize the destruction of wild free-roaming horses or burros unless the Secretary--</ul> <ul><ul> `(1) determines that the wild free-roaming horse or burro is terminally ill or fatally injured; and</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(2) ensures that the terminally ill or fatally injured wild free-roaming horse or burro will be destroyed in the most humane manner.</ul></ul> <ul> `(i) If the immediate health or safety of wild free-roaming horses or burros is threatened, such as in severe drought conditions, the Secretary may temporarily remove animals from the range.</ul> <ul> `(j) The Secretary may remove from the range wild free-roaming horses and burros determined to be a threat to the health and well being of native plant or wildlife species.</ul> <ul> `(k) Except in cases of removal under subsection (d), (i), or (j), if the Secretary removes wild free-roaming horses or burros from an area, the Secretary shall provide a public notice on the Website of the Bureau of Land Management 30 days prior to the planned removal.</ul> <ul> `(l) The Secretary shall--</ul> <ul><ul> `(1) track the number of wild free-roaming horses and burros injured or killed during gathering or holding in a centralized database system;</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(2) determine what information on the treatment of gathered wild free-roaming horses and burros in holding and adopted wild free-roaming horses and burros could be provided to the public to help inform the public about the treatment of wild free-roaming horses and burros; and</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(3) ensure that such information is easily accessible on the Website of the Bureau of Land Management.'.</ul></ul> <ul> (h) By striking subsection (e) (relating to sale of excess animals).</ul> <h3>SEC. 6. PRIVATE MAINTENANCE.</h3> <ul> Section 4 (16 U.S.C. 1334) is amended--</ul> <ul><ul> (1) by striking `animals removed' and inserting `animals returned to public land'; and</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (2) by inserting `pursuant to section 3(h)' after `agents of the Secretary'.</ul></ul> <h3>SEC. 7. COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS.</h3> <ul> Section 6 (16 U.S.C. 1336) is amended by inserting `and other private entities' after `landowners'.</ul> <h3>SEC. 8. JOINT ADVISORY BOARD.</h3> <ul> Section 7 (16 U.S.C. 1337) is amended--</ul> <ul><ul> (1) by striking `nine' and inserting `12';</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (2) by striking `Governments' and all that follows `management.' and inserting `Governments and shall include three representatives of the livestock industry; three representatives of the environmental community; three representatives of the animal protection community; and three scientists with expertise in wildlife management, animal husbandry, or natural resource management.'; and</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (3) by adding at the end the following new sentence: `Nomination of members of the board shall be conducted by public notice and comment in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. appendix) and shall be for a term of four years. No individual shall serve more then two consecutive terms.'.</ul></ul> <h3>SEC. 9. CRIMINAL PROVISIONS.</h3> <ul> Section 8 (16 U.S.C. 1338) is amended--</ul> <ul><ul> (1) by striking `Any person who' and inserting `(a) Any person who'; and</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (2) in paragraph (4) of subsection (a) (as so designated)--</ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (A) by striking `except as provided in section 3(e),';</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (B) by inserting `, transports for processing,' after `processes';</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (C) by striking `the remains of a' and inserting `a live or deceased'; and</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (D) by inserting `for consideration' after `burro'.</ul></ul></ul> <h3>SEC. 10. LIMITATION OF AUTHORITY.</h3> <ul> Strike section 10 (16 U.S.C. 1339) and redesignate section 11 as section 10.</ul> <h3>SEC. 11. REPORTS.</h3> <ul> Section 10 (as so redesignated by section 10 of this Act) is amended as follows:</ul> <ul><ul> (1) By striking `After the expiration' and all that follows through `thereafter' and inserting `(a)(1) Not later than one year after the date of enactment of this subsection and annually thereafter'.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (2) By striking `will submit to Congress a joint report' and inserting `shall submit to the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate a joint report'.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (3) By striking `he' and inserting `the Secretaries'.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (4) By inserting after subsection (a)(1) (as so designated) the following:</ul></ul> <ul> `(2) The report shall also contain the following--</ul> <ul><ul> `(A) the number of acres managed by the Bureau of Land Management and the USDA Forest Service for wild free-roaming horses and burros;</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(B) the appropriate management levels on public rangelands;</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(C) a description of the methods used to determine the appropriate management levels and whether it was applied consistently across the agency;</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(D) the number of wild free-roaming horses and burros on public lands;</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(E) a description of the methods used to determine the wild free-roaming horse and burro population;</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(F) any land acquisitions, exchanges, conservation easements, and voluntary grazing buyouts that the Secretary has acquired or pursued for wild free-roaming horses and burros;</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(G) any sanctuaries or exclusive use areas established for wild free-roaming horses and burros;</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(H) programs established for fertility control research, development, and management level implementation;</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(I) the extent to which fertility control is being used by the Secretary to control the population of wild free-roaming horses and burros;</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(J) the percentage of the Bureau of Land Management budget devoted to contraception annually;</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(K) the ratio of animals the agency has contracepted and put back on the range; and</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(L) which herds have been administered contraception and with what results.</ul></ul> <ul> `(3) Each report submitted under paragraph (2) shall be made available to the public on the Website of the Bureau of Land Management.'.</ul> <ul><ul> (5) By inserting `(b)' before `The Secretary of the Interior'.<br /></ul></ul><h3>SEC. 6. PRIVATE MAINTENANCE.</h3> <ul> Section 4 (16 U.S.C. 1334) is amended--</ul> <ul><ul> (1) by striking `animals removed' and inserting `animals returned to public land'; and</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (2) by inserting `pursuant to section 3(h)' after `agents of the Secretary'.</ul></ul> <h3>SEC. 7. COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS.</h3> <ul> Section 6 (16 U.S.C. 1336) is amended by inserting `and other private entities' after `landowners'.</ul> <h3>SEC. 8. JOINT ADVISORY BOARD.</h3> <ul> Section 7 (16 U.S.C. 1337) is amended--</ul> <ul><ul> (1) by striking `nine' and inserting `12';</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (2) by striking `Governments' and all that follows `management.' and inserting `Governments and shall include three representatives of the livestock industry; three representatives of the environmental community; three representatives of the animal protection community; and three scientists with expertise in wildlife management, animal husbandry, or natural resource management.'; and</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (3) by adding at the end the following new sentence: `Nomination of members of the board shall be conducted by public notice and comment in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. appendix) and shall be for a term of four years. No individual shall serve more then two consecutive terms.'.</ul></ul> <h3>SEC. 9. CRIMINAL PROVISIONS.</h3> <ul> Section 8 (16 U.S.C. 1338) is amended--</ul> <ul><ul> (1) by striking `Any person who' and inserting `(a) Any person who'; and</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (2) in paragraph (4) of subsection (a) (as so designated)--</ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (A) by striking `except as provided in section 3(e),';</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (B) by inserting `, transports for processing,' after `processes';</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (C) by striking `the remains of a' and inserting `a live or deceased'; and</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (D) by inserting `for consideration' after `burro'.</ul></ul></ul> <h3>SEC. 10. LIMITATION OF AUTHORITY.</h3> <ul> Strike section 10 (16 U.S.C. 1339) and redesignate section 11 as section 10.</ul> <h3>SEC. 11. REPORTS.</h3> <ul> Section 10 (as so redesignated by section 10 of this Act) is amended as follows:</ul> <ul><ul> (1) By striking `After the expiration' and all that follows through `thereafter' and inserting `(a)(1) Not later than one year after the date of enactment of this subsection and annually thereafter'.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (2) By striking `will submit to Congress a joint report' and inserting `shall submit to the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate a joint report'.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (3) By striking `he' and inserting `the Secretaries'.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (4) By inserting after subsection (a)(1) (as so designated) the following:</ul></ul> <ul> `(2) The report shall also contain the following--</ul> <ul><ul> `(A) the number of acres managed by the Bureau of Land Management and the USDA Forest Service for wild free-roaming horses and burros;</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(B) the appropriate management levels on public rangelands;</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(C) a description of the methods used to determine the appropriate management levels and whether it was applied consistently across the agency;</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(D) the number of wild free-roaming horses and burros on public lands;</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(E) a description of the methods used to determine the wild free-roaming horse and burro population;</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(F) any land acquisitions, exchanges, conservation easements, and voluntary grazing buyouts that the Secretary has acquired or pursued for wild free-roaming horses and burros;</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(G) any sanctuaries or exclusive use areas established for wild free-roaming horses and burros;</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(H) programs established for fertility control research, development, and management level implementation;</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(I) the extent to which fertility control is being used by the Secretary to control the population of wild free-roaming horses and burros;</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(J) the percentage of the Bureau of Land Management budget devoted to contraception annually;</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(K) the ratio of animals the agency has contracepted and put back on the range; and</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(L) which herds have been administered contraception and with what results.</ul></ul> <ul> `(3) Each report submitted under paragraph (2) shall be made available to the public on the Website of the Bureau of Land Management.'.</ul> <ul><ul> (5) By inserting `(b)' before `The Secretary of the Interior'.<br /><br /><br /><br /></ul></ul><h3>SEC. 7. COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS.</h3> <ul> Section 6 (16 U.S.C. 1336) is amended by inserting `and other private entities' after `landowners'.</ul> <h3>SEC. 8. JOINT ADVISORY BOARD.</h3> <ul> Section 7 (16 U.S.C. 1337) is amended--</ul> <ul><ul> (1) by striking `nine' and inserting `12';</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (2) by striking `Governments' and all that follows `management.' and inserting `Governments and shall include three representatives of the livestock industry; three representatives of the environmental community; three representatives of the animal protection community; and three scientists with expertise in wildlife management, animal husbandry, or natural resource management.'; and</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (3) by adding at the end the following new sentence: `Nomination of members of the board shall be conducted by public notice and comment in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. appendix) and shall be for a term of four years. No individual shall serve more then two consecutive terms.'.</ul></ul> <h3>SEC. 9. CRIMINAL PROVISIONS.</h3> <ul> Section 8 (16 U.S.C. 1338) is amended--</ul> <ul><ul> (1) by striking `Any person who' and inserting `(a) Any person who'; and</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (2) in paragraph (4) of subsection (a) (as so designated)--</ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (A) by striking `except as provided in section 3(e),';</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (B) by inserting `, transports for processing,' after `processes';</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (C) by striking `the remains of a' and inserting `a live or deceased'; and</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (D) by inserting `for consideration' after `burro'.</ul></ul></ul> <h3>SEC. 10. LIMITATION OF AUTHORITY.</h3> <ul> Strike section 10 (16 U.S.C. 1339) and redesignate section 11 as section 10.</ul> <h3>SEC. 11. REPORTS.</h3> <ul> Section 10 (as so redesignated by section 10 of this Act) is amended as follows:</ul> <ul><ul> (1) By striking `After the expiration' and all that follows through `thereafter' and inserting `(a)(1) Not later than one year after the date of enactment of this subsection and annually thereafter'.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (2) By striking `will submit to Congress a joint report' and inserting `shall submit to the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate a joint report'.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (3) By striking `he' and inserting `the Secretaries'.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (4) By inserting after subsection (a)(1) (as so designated) the following:</ul></ul> <ul> `(2) The report shall also contain the following--</ul> <ul><ul> `(A) the number of acres managed by the Bureau of Land Management and the USDA Forest Service for wild free-roaming horses and burros;</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(B) the appropriate management levels on public rangelands;</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(C) a description of the methods used to determine the appropriate management levels and whether it was applied consistently across the agency;</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(D) the number of wild free-roaming horses and burros on public lands;</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(E) a description of the methods used to determine the wild free-roaming horse and burro population;</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(F) any land acquisitions, exchanges, conservation easements, and voluntary grazing buyouts that the Secretary has acquired or pursued for wild free-roaming horses and burros;</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(G) any sanctuaries or exclusive use areas established for wild free-roaming horses and burros;</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(H) programs established for fertility control research, development, and management level implementation;</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(I) the extent to which fertility control is being used by the Secretary to control the population of wild free-roaming horses and burros;</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(J) the percentage of the Bureau of Land Management budget devoted to contraception annually;</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(K) the ratio of animals the agency has contracepted and put back on the range; and</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(L) which herds have been administered contraception and with what results.</ul></ul> <ul> `(3) Each report submitted under paragraph (2) shall be made available to the public on the Website of the Bureau of Land Management.'.</ul> <ul><ul> (5) By inserting `(b)' before `The Secretary of the Interior'.<br /><br /></ul></ul><h3>SEC. 8. JOINT ADVISORY BOARD.</h3> <ul> Section 7 (16 U.S.C. 1337) is amended--</ul> <ul><ul> (1) by striking `nine' and inserting `12';</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (2) by striking `Governments' and all that follows `management.' and inserting `Governments and shall include three representatives of the livestock industry; three representatives of the environmental community; three representatives of the animal protection community; and three scientists with expertise in wildlife management, animal husbandry, or natural resource management.'; and</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (3) by adding at the end the following new sentence: `Nomination of members of the board shall be conducted by public notice and comment in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. appendix) and shall be for a term of four years. No individual shall serve more then two consecutive terms.'.</ul></ul> <h3>SEC. 9. CRIMINAL PROVISIONS.</h3> <ul> Section 8 (16 U.S.C. 1338) is amended--</ul> <ul><ul> (1) by striking `Any person who' and inserting `(a) Any person who'; and</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (2) in paragraph (4) of subsection (a) (as so designated)--</ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (A) by striking `except as provided in section 3(e),';</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (B) by inserting `, transports for processing,' after `processes';</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (C) by striking `the remains of a' and inserting `a live or deceased'; and</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (D) by inserting `for consideration' after `burro'.</ul></ul></ul> <h3>SEC. 10. LIMITATION OF AUTHORITY.</h3> <ul> Strike section 10 (16 U.S.C. 1339) and redesignate section 11 as section 10.</ul> <h3>SEC. 11. REPORTS.</h3> <ul> Section 10 (as so redesignated by section 10 of this Act) is amended as follows:</ul> <ul><ul> (1) By striking `After the expiration' and all that follows through `thereafter' and inserting `(a)(1) Not later than one year after the date of enactment of this subsection and annually thereafter'.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (2) By striking `will submit to Congress a joint report' and inserting `shall submit to the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate a joint report'.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (3) By striking `he' and inserting `the Secretaries'.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (4) By inserting after subsection (a)(1) (as so designated) the following:</ul></ul> <ul> `(2) The report shall also contain the following--</ul> <ul><ul> `(A) the number of acres managed by the Bureau of Land Management and the USDA Forest Service for wild free-roaming horses and burros;</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(B) the appropriate management levels on public rangelands;</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(C) a description of the methods used to determine the appropriate management levels and whether it was applied consistently across the agency;</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(D) the number of wild free-roaming horses and burros on public lands;</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(E) a description of the methods used to determine the wild free-roaming horse and burro population;</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(F) any land acquisitions, exchanges, conservation easements, and voluntary grazing buyouts that the Secretary has acquired or pursued for wild free-roaming horses and burros;</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(G) any sanctuaries or exclusive use areas established for wild free-roaming horses and burros;</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(H) programs established for fertility control research, development, and management level implementation;</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(I) the extent to which fertility control is being used by the Secretary to control the population of wild free-roaming horses and burros;</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(J) the percentage of the Bureau of Land Management budget devoted to contraception annually;</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(K) the ratio of animals the agency has contracepted and put back on the range; and</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(L) which herds have been administered contraception and with what results.</ul></ul> <ul> `(3) Each report submitted under paragraph (2) shall be made available to the public on the Website of the Bureau of Land Management.'.</ul> <ul><ul> (5) By inserting `(b)' before `The Secretary of the Interior'.<br /><br /></ul></ul><h3>SEC. 9. CRIMINAL PROVISIONS.</h3> <ul> Section 8 (16 U.S.C. 1338) is amended--</ul> <ul><ul> (1) by striking `Any person who' and inserting `(a) Any person who'; and</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (2) in paragraph (4) of subsection (a) (as so designated)--</ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (A) by striking `except as provided in section 3(e),';</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (B) by inserting `, transports for processing,' after `processes';</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (C) by striking `the remains of a' and inserting `a live or deceased'; and</ul></ul></ul> <ul><ul><ul> (D) by inserting `for consideration' after `burro'.</ul></ul></ul> <h3>SEC. 10. LIMITATION OF AUTHORITY.</h3> <ul> Strike section 10 (16 U.S.C. 1339) and redesignate section 11 as section 10.</ul> <h3>SEC. 11. REPORTS.</h3> <ul> Section 10 (as so redesignated by section 10 of this Act) is amended as follows:</ul> <ul><ul> (1) By striking `After the expiration' and all that follows through `thereafter' and inserting `(a)(1) Not later than one year after the date of enactment of this subsection and annually thereafter'.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (2) By striking `will submit to Congress a joint report' and inserting `shall submit to the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate a joint report'.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (3) By striking `he' and inserting `the Secretaries'.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (4) By inserting after subsection (a)(1) (as so designated) the following:</ul></ul> <ul> `(2) The report shall also contain the following--</ul> <ul><ul> `(A) the number of acres managed by the Bureau of Land Management and the USDA Forest Service for wild free-roaming horses and burros;</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(B) the appropriate management levels on public rangelands;</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(C) a description of the methods used to determine the appropriate management levels and whether it was applied consistently across the agency;</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(D) the number of wild free-roaming horses and burros on public lands;</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(E) a description of the methods used to determine the wild free-roaming horse and burro population;</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(F) any land acquisitions, exchanges, conservation easements, and voluntary grazing buyouts that the Secretary has acquired or pursued for wild free-roaming horses and burros;</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(G) any sanctuaries or exclusive use areas established for wild free-roaming horses and burros;</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(H) programs established for fertility control research, development, and management level implementation;</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(I) the extent to which fertility control is being used by the Secretary to control the population of wild free-roaming horses and burros;</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(J) the percentage of the Bureau of Land Management budget devoted to contraception annually;</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(K) the ratio of animals the agency has contracepted and put back on the range; and</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(L) which herds have been administered contraception and with what results.</ul></ul> <ul> `(3) Each report submitted under paragraph (2) shall be made available to the public on the Website of the Bureau of Land Management.'.</ul> <ul><ul> (5) By inserting `(b)' before `The Secretary of the Interior'.<br /><br /></ul></ul><h3>SEC. 10. LIMITATION OF AUTHORITY.</h3> <ul> Strike section 10 (16 U.S.C. 1339) and redesignate section 11 as section 10.</ul> <h3>SEC. 11. REPORTS.</h3> <ul> Section 10 (as so redesignated by section 10 of this Act) is amended as follows:</ul> <ul><ul> (1) By striking `After the expiration' and all that follows through `thereafter' and inserting `(a)(1) Not later than one year after the date of enactment of this subsection and annually thereafter'.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (2) By striking `will submit to Congress a joint report' and inserting `shall submit to the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate a joint report'.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (3) By striking `he' and inserting `the Secretaries'.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (4) By inserting after subsection (a)(1) (as so designated) the following:</ul></ul> <ul> `(2) The report shall also contain the following--</ul> <ul><ul> `(A) the number of acres managed by the Bureau of Land Management and the USDA Forest Service for wild free-roaming horses and burros;</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(B) the appropriate management levels on public rangelands;</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(C) a description of the methods used to determine the appropriate management levels and whether it was applied consistently across the agency;</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(D) the number of wild free-roaming horses and burros on public lands;</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(E) a description of the methods used to determine the wild free-roaming horse and burro population;</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(F) any land acquisitions, exchanges, conservation easements, and voluntary grazing buyouts that the Secretary has acquired or pursued for wild free-roaming horses and burros;</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(G) any sanctuaries or exclusive use areas established for wild free-roaming horses and burros;</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(H) programs established for fertility control research, development, and management level implementation;</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(I) the extent to which fertility control is being used by the Secretary to control the population of wild free-roaming horses and burros;</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(J) the percentage of the Bureau of Land Management budget devoted to contraception annually;</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(K) the ratio of animals the agency has contracepted and put back on the range; and</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(L) which herds have been administered contraception and with what results.</ul></ul> <ul> `(3) Each report submitted under paragraph (2) shall be made available to the public on the Website of the Bureau of Land Management.'.</ul> <ul><ul> (5) By inserting `(b)' before `The Secretary of the Interior'.<br /><br /></ul></ul><h3>SEC. 11. REPORTS.</h3> <ul> Section 10 (as so redesignated by section 10 of this Act) is amended as follows:</ul> <ul><ul> (1) By striking `After the expiration' and all that follows through `thereafter' and inserting `(a)(1) Not later than one year after the date of enactment of this subsection and annually thereafter'.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (2) By striking `will submit to Congress a joint report' and inserting `shall submit to the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate a joint report'.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (3) By striking `he' and inserting `the Secretaries'.</ul></ul> <ul><ul> (4) By inserting after subsection (a)(1) (as so designated) the following:</ul></ul> <ul> `(2) The report shall also contain the following--</ul> <ul><ul> `(A) the number of acres managed by the Bureau of Land Management and the USDA Forest Service for wild free-roaming horses and burros;</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(B) the appropriate management levels on public rangelands;</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(C) a description of the methods used to determine the appropriate management levels and whether it was applied consistently across the agency;</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(D) the number of wild free-roaming horses and burros on public lands;</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(E) a description of the methods used to determine the wild free-roaming horse and burro population;</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(F) any land acquisitions, exchanges, conservation easements, and voluntary grazing buyouts that the Secretary has acquired or pursued for wild free-roaming horses and burros;</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(G) any sanctuaries or exclusive use areas established for wild free-roaming horses and burros;</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(H) programs established for fertility control research, development, and management level implementation;</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(I) the extent to which fertility control is being used by the Secretary to control the population of wild free-roaming horses and burros;</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(J) the percentage of the Bureau of Land Management budget devoted to contraception annually;</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(K) the ratio of animals the agency has contracepted and put back on the range; and</ul></ul> <ul><ul> `(L) which herds have been administered contraception and with what results.</ul></ul> <ul> `(3) Each report submitted under paragraph (2) shall be made available to the public on the Website of the Bureau of Land Management.'.</ul> <ul><ul> (5) By inserting `(b)' before `The Secretary of the Interior'.</ul></ul><ul><ul><br /></ul></ul><ul><ul><br /></ul></ul><ul><ul><br /></ul></ul><ul><ul><br /></ul></ul>AHDF Presidenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826997341419839395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7431334726688859967.post-11979880073869594492009-08-04T02:11:00.002-05:002009-08-04T02:14:52.465-05:00New EU Rules<p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">The following press release comes from the Equine Welfare Alliance, of which AHDF is a proud member. <br /></span></b></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">New EU rules may end slaughter of American Horses<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoBodyText"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">CHICAGO, (EWA) – </span>The European Union (EU) and Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) have announced that the rules on slaughtering horses for human consumption are about to change radically due to concerns regarding contaminated horse meat. <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoBodyText">The new EU rules will become effective in April 2010, requiring that either slaughtered animals have complete health records showing they have not received banned substances or a 180 day quarantine for the horses. Claude Boissonnealut, head of the CFIAs red meat programs, has indicated that Canada will likely abide by the 180 day quarantine, as mandated by the EU. <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoBodyText">Equine welfare advocates have warned of the contamination of American horse meat for years. Substances banned from food animals range from toxic wormers to phenylbutazone (PBZ), the “aspirin” of the horse world, and even include fertility drugs that can cause miscarriages in women. “PBZ is a known carcinogen and can cause aplastic anemia (bone marrow suppression) in humans”, says Equine Welfare Alliance (EWA) member Dr. Ann Marini, MD/Ph.D, Professor of Neurology at Uniform Services University of the Health Sciences.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoBodyText">But the list of contaminants is not limited to conventional drugs. “Some of the garbage ‘treatments’ that are given to performance horses included iodine-peanut oil injections along the spine, anabolic steroids, cocaine, amphetamines, opioids and even snake venom”, explains Dr. Nicholas Dodman, DVM at Tufts University.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoBodyText">The new rules will mean that horses coming from auctions and other sources in the US will have to be kept drug free on a feedlot for half a year. Producers estimate that feeding horses that long will more than double their cost, making them less competitive with horses from other sources. And that is likely to be only half their problem.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoBodyText">EWA member Christy Sheidy, of <span style="color: rgb(54, 95, 145);"><a href="http://ac4h.com/"><span style="color: rgb(54, 95, 145);">Another Chance 4 Horses</span></a></span>, routinely rescues slaughter bound horses from Pennsylvania’s New Holland auction. Sheidy warns, “Outbreaks of diseases like strangles and shipping fever will be inevitable in these quarantine feedlots. Left untreated, many horses may die before they can be slaughtered.” Treating the horses would restart their quarantine time. <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoBodyText">In recent years, European authorities have cracked down on horse meat producers within the EU, requiring a “passport” system that specifically documents whether a horse has received such substances. Owners must state that their horses are intended for slaughter. <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoBodyText">USDA statistics show that in 2008, the US exported 56,731 horses to Mexico and 77,073 horses to Canada for slaughter, resulting in the second highest slaughter total since 1995. Diners abroad have no idea whatsoever what dangerous chemicals they are eating in the American horsemeat that is shipped from plants across our borders.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoBodyText2" style="line-height: normal;">In an <span style="color: rgb(54, 95, 145);"><a href="http://www.manesandtailsorganization.org/howling_ridge/Howling-Ridge-July-29-Henry-Natural-Valley.mp3"><span style="color: rgb(54, 95, 145);">interview</span></a> </span>with EWA, Henry Skjerven, a former director of the Natural Valley Farms slaughter operation in Saskatchewan, Canada, said: “Unfortunately, North America, US and Canada, were never geared for raising horses for food consumption. The system as it stood when we were killing horses was in no way, shape or form, safe, in my opinion.” <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoBodyText2" style="line-height: normal;">Skjerven went on to say, “We did not know where those horses were coming from, what might be in them or what they were treated with. I was always in fear - I think that it was very valid - that we were going to send something across there [to the EU] and we were simply going to get our doors locked after we had some kind of issue with the product.”<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoBodyText2" style="line-height: normal;">Skjerven’s plant began killing horses in September of 2007 for the Belgium’s Velda Group following the closing of their Cavel slaughter plant in DeKalb, Illinois. Natural Valley’s horse slaughter plant was closed by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency in January of 2009, for health issues.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoBodyText2" style="line-height: normal;">Unlike Canada, horses going to Mexico are killed in two types of slaughter plants. The three largest plants export the meat to the EU and will fall under the same new rules. Mexican authorities have yet to announce whether their smaller plants, that provide meat for domestic consumption, will be required to follow the new rules.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoBodyText2" style="line-height: normal;">“We don’t need to eat horses. Horses are for riding, jumping and doing a whole lot of great things. They’re not food”, concluded Skjerven. <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoBodyText"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; color: rgb(54, 95, 145);"><a href="http://www.equinewelfarealliance.org/"><span style="color: rgb(54, 95, 145);">www.equinewelfarealliance.org</span></a></span><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"><br /><a href="http://www.AHDF.org">www.AHDF.org</a><br /></span>AHDF Presidenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826997341419839395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7431334726688859967.post-72171354280001717462009-08-04T01:29:00.002-05:002009-08-04T02:08:46.775-05:00Politic and HorsesDuring the debate on Hr 1018, and after, much was said in opposition to the bill. It was likened to a "welfare bill for horses". The backlash has been disturbing for a variety of reasons. Yes, one political party has seemed to line up against the bill. However, I am asking cooler heads to prevail. This is really nothing but political posturing. We shouldn't turn against a party because it says stupid things, if we did Washington, DC would be empty and we would be a country in crisis searching for anyone who has never said something stupid. No party's platform is to abuse animals or to cause the extinction of a species. <br /><br />In September 2006 that said party was in charge of Congress. That was when the debate for HR 503 was held. During the debate the minority party (the party now in charge) had Representatives on the floor decrying that the bill shouldn't be heard while seniors around the country are starving and eating cat food to stay alive. That was nothing but political posturing and demanding time for other bills. It was a stupid comment since cans of tuna fish is cheaper than cat food and if there were issues of massive starving seniors it would be all over the news. Yes, certain issues are more important than others, but ALL issues have a right to be heard. So, this type of thing is not limited to one political party or another.<br /><br />Humane issues normally cross party lines and the horses have quite a few staunch supporters on BOTH sides of the aisle. When advocates attack one party or another we face the chance that we could lose support just when we need it. This is NOT a party issue like others might be, but an issue of being humane people and doing what is right. That isn't limited to any party, although it seems to be in short supply among ALL people. It is those people who have made those decisions, not the party. I know some place the blame on a certain past president, but it goes back to others of different parties as well. The wild horses didn't get here in just a few years, it took decades of failed policies and an atmosphere at the BLM that allowed it to get as bad as it is.<br /><br />There is a lovely article in the <a href="http://www.examiner.com/x-9726-Seattle-Pet-Laws-Examiner%7Ey2009m8d2-US-House-passes-legislation-to-protect-burros-and-wild-horses">Seattle Examiner</a> that explains why the Representative who spoke out about the passage of the bill did so. It wasn't about his party's position, but his own record of being against humane legislation. It was the individual. The party's opposition comes from their position on the fact that the US government is deeply in debt and they see this as just another form of welfare to the wrong place. We need to INFORM them, not attack them. Tell them that the bill will actually see a savings to the taxpayer by reduced removals and the phasing out of long term holding facilities. These savings go far beyond the potential cost.<br /><br />When we begin to attack one party or another it makes it harder to get legislation passed and harder for those who are lobbying for our legislation. So, let's stop the party bashing and focus our efforts where they are needed most Saving our wild horses and burros from extinction. Preserving them in their natural habitat for our children, for our grand-children and for future generations. Think of how devastating it would be to tell them after seeing the movie Hidalgo or after reading a book on mustangs that these wonderful majestic animals no longer exist and they can never see one in real life. Not everyone goes to the Grand Canyon, but we know that its majesty and beauty is there and we would ALL fight to preserve it if it were threatened. We need to fight to protect our wild horses.AHDF Presidenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826997341419839395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7431334726688859967.post-20522441108417017292009-07-24T06:26:00.002-05:002009-07-24T07:22:34.222-05:00How Will 1018 Move to the Senate?I have been asked to explain the process that a bill takes once it passes the House and moves to the Senate. Specifically, HR 1018, the ROAM Act. Hopefully this will be helpful for those who want to follow the bills, but find the process confusing.<br /><br />Once a bill passes in the House it is sent to the Senate. Once it arrives in the Senate (the paperwork usually take a day or two) it is read into the record. For a bill to become law it must be read into the record three times. HR 1018 was read into the record twice. The bill will then be assigned to a committee. <br /><br />The committee HR 1018 was assigned to is the Energy and Natural Resources Committee chaired by Senator Jeff Bingaman. Then it will be assigned to a sub-committee. HR 1018 will be assigned to if it isn't already is the Public Lands and Forest chaired by Senator Ron Wyden. The sub-committee will debate, hold hearings, vote on the bill to return it to the committee or table it (kill it). Once it passes the sub-committee, the full committee will debate it, hold hearings (if not already held) and then they will decide to pass it to the Senate floor or return it to the sub-committee for further action (kill it). <br /><br />Since Congress has so many bills introduced each year they depend on the committees to determine if a bill is worty of passage. If a bill has the weight of a committee behind it is given more credence. However, since there are so many bills pending and because of resrictions on committee meetings few bills go to the floor. In fact, only one in six bills ever make it out of committee. The committees also have the authority to fully rewrite the bill, or "clean" it. Amendments can also be attached, even if they have nothing to do with the bill. If the bill is substantially different from the bill passed by the House it will then go to another committee, but I am getting ahead of myself.<br /><br />If a bill passes committee they will send it to the floor with a report. It would then be scheduled for a vote. However, nothing in Congress is that easy. The bill then becomes vulnerable to a filibuster. In the old days a filibuster was when a Senator stood up and talked for hours and hours to block the vote on a bill. Today the rules of the Senate allow filibusters that can last days and even months if renewed and the bill cannot come up for a vote during that time. They are also virtually invisible because the Senator can block the bill without being seen doing so. Officially it takes 14 Senators' signatures to filibuster. However, it has happened with as few as 5. To over-ride a filibuster opposing Senators need to obtain cloture. Cloture ends a filibuster and takes the signatures of 60 Senators. Filibusters and cloture are "freedoms" that no other legislature in the world possesses except in the United States.<br /><br />If a bill does manage to come up for a vote it is vulnerable to unlimited amendments and debate. (Remember that amendments do not have to be related to the bill to be considered.) That is unless a Senator calls for Unanimous Consent. This limits debate and the offering of amendments and must be brokered in advance with leadership. If it passes then it either goes to the President or to Conference Committee.<br /><br />A bill is sent to Conference Committee if the wording is different in the Senate and House version of the bill. The committee is charged with resolving the difference, but they can also do more. This is where Senator Conrad Burns added the infamous Burns Amendment. It was done without most of the committe's being aware of it. The Omnibus bill it was attached to was very large with over 1000 pages and the need for a quick vote prevented most members from reading it fully. Once the committee resolves the wording the bill then goes to the House and Senate for a vote. In the case of the Burns Amendment the vote was rushed there too as it contained the budget for the entire government, so it is doubtful that they could have or would have rejected it. <br /><br />Once the full language of the bill passes both Senate and House it goes to the President to sign or veto. If signed it becomes law. If vetoed it goes back to Congress to see if they can over-ride the veto.<br /><br />As anyone can see man things can go wrong on the Senate side. This is why it is important to focus all of our attention and efforts there, especially with HR 1018. This is why events like the recent Horses on the Hill and our <a href="http://hooflinks.blogspot.com/2009/07/month-of-horse-in-dc.html">Month of the Horse in DC</a> are so important. Letters and calls are great, but one has to remember that the opposition has professional lobbyists on the Hill every day. These lobbyists have face to face meetings, make personal connections with lawmakers and aides and can take lawmakers out to eat, they can throw them parties, they can donate to their campaigns and influence them. We can't do any of these things, but we can show that we are there, that we are united and that we aren't going away. We can also make those personal connections and have face to face meetings.<br /><br />The opposition always claims that we are more influential, funded and organized. That is untrue. They have had decades to organize and they are far more well funded than our side. That is why we MUST understand that we need to fund legislative efforts as much as hands on rescue. Without the pending laws we face issues that can and should be resolved with their passage.<br /><br />I hope this helps someone. If anyone has any further questions let me know and I will do my best to answer them.AHDF Presidenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826997341419839395noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7431334726688859967.post-72211208346334877762009-07-24T00:50:00.003-05:002009-07-24T01:12:03.397-05:00Month of the Horse in DCA few years ago Congress declared a day in Dec. the Day of the Horse. The AHDF would like to declare Sept. 2009 the Month of the Horse in DC. We would like to see horse advocates on the Hill speaking for our horses EVERY DAY in Sept that Congress is in session. This could make a big impact toward seeing our bills passed. We are looking for groups and individuals to spend 3-5 days in DC lobbying. It could be any week, but we do need at least 5-10 folks there every week. (If you are a horse owner PLEASE seriously consider attending as it adds credibility to our cause.) This is a great opportunity for folks to see how Congress works, have a chance to speak their minds on the pending bills and a chance to make a difference. We are also looking for 3 individuals or groups to lead the efforts during the week they attend. The leaders will need to have lobbying experience and be available during the week to mentor and assist the other group members. <br /><br />This is NOT just and AHDF event. We would seriously LOVE for all the groups to come together in support of the bills. So, please pass this info along to other groups that you may know. If we all speak as one voice we CAN make a difference! Think how powerful it would be to walk into these offices and say you are representing your group, the AHDF, and other groups and individuals attending!<br /><br />If you are interested in being a part of Month of the Horse in DC please email me so I can coordinate the events and negotiate discounts on hotels. If we are not coordinated this event will fall flat and not have the impact we need to make, so please at least let me know you will be in DC during this time. My email addy is president@ahdf.org<br /><br />On another note. To pull all this together AHDF is going to need funds for materials and other expenses. PLEASE consider donating or sending in your dues today. The AHDF is seriously operating in a deficit and we need your help to accomplish our goals. Donations can be made via Paypal by using the email address of president@ahdf.org or by mailing donations to PO Box 328 Covington, TN 38019 or 1718 M St NW Unit 191 Washington, DC 20036. If everyone who reads this post will donate at least $5-$10 we could pull this off. Thank you!AHDF Presidenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826997341419839395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7431334726688859967.post-88424290596463822902009-07-09T18:43:00.002-05:002009-07-09T21:57:41.819-05:00One VoiceThis post is going to start a little strange, but please bear with me while I make my point.<br /><br />My family and I took a little vacation. So, when I got home I needed some time to recover. (Ask any parent of kids who has spent over 23 hours in the car with their little darlings if they also didn't need a few days of downtime afterward.) Anyway, during my down time I watched the Michael Jackson memorial. It was really moving in parts and the music was good. A fitting tribute to a man who wasn't perfect, but entertained the world for decades. They also talked about all the good work he had done in his life including being recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records for supporting the most charities, something I had no idea he had done. During the memorial, they had a screen showing pictures of Jackson as well as notable things he had said. <br /><br />I soon noticed one particular phrase kept showing up, "There's nothing that can't be done if we raise our voice as one". It was something Jackson said regarding his work to help children worldwide. It struck me that this applies to any movement for change, especially ours for equine welfare. If we all pulled together our various strengths and voices we could move the world. However, sometimes we get caught up in petty disagreements and arguments over things that at the end of the day don't matter. Who the heck cares if one rescue will adopt to people who have barb wire fences? At the end of the day if the home is a good one the fence doesn't matter that much and it is a horse out of danger. Who cares who says what about PZP? At the end of the day the issue is that the wild horses and burros are fast disappearing from our public lands. The big issues are the ones we all agree on. Horses should be treated humanely and we want to protect and preserve our wild horses and burros. That's the important part. <br /><br />Each of us do our best to do the right thing and every little part helps. Why are we fighting each other so often that we lose sight of the important issues? We don't have to agree on every little thing and we shouldn't. We should strive to make things better, but by disagreeing and petty fighting we aren't focused on the bigger picture; horses being mistreated, the extinction of our wild horses and burros, horse slaughter... Sure, in a perfect world horses would go to homes with horse safe fencing (whatever that is), but the bigger picture is that that the horse has been saved from slaughter or an abusive home. We aren't in a place where we can shoot for perfect, right now we need to solve the bigger problems first. If we can all just try to remember that we are all doing the best we can and accept that then perhaps we can avoid some of the problems. Trust until that trust is broken. <br /><br />If we look at the new pro-slaughter and anti-wild horse group that came from no where we can see that they are setting aside their differences and working together against the horses. They are much better organized and much better funded than our side is. They claim that they represent horse owners, but they don't really. The AHDF membership is made up of 90% horse owners and 15% of those also run rescue facilities. Our organization, as well as others, represents horse owners as much, if not more, than their organization does. However, they organized and have raised their voices and they are being heard over ours, so we need to be stronger and raise our voices louder. We CAN do it, we just need to unite on our common goals and set aside our differences.<br /><br />It is one thing to use smaller issues, such as your organization's position on fences, to garner donations or supporters. It is another thing to run down an organization who has a different opinion. The first allows donors and supporters an alternative organization to support, but the second is divisive when we most need to be united. I personally love that there are so many organizations offering alternatives to supporters. It allows the public a chance to support the organization that most closely reflects their own personal position while providing information about the bigger issues. It helps get that information out there. But, there is never a need to run down an organization to prop up another one. We are all trying to do the same thing, help the horses. Every organization can and should distinguish themselves from the others, but not at another's expense. Regardless of your position on the proper type of fences, the goal of all the organizations is to have well adjusted and healthy animals inside of those fences.<br /><br />If we can finally raise our voices as one we can accomplish all we set out to do. It is time to pull together and speak for the animals who can't speak for themselves. It is time for our voices to become one in the overarching issues we can all agree on. Let's raise them loud enough they can no longer be ignored and make those changes we have all wanted for so long.AHDF Presidenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826997341419839395noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7431334726688859967.post-38331749313981634992009-06-23T15:55:00.002-05:002009-06-23T16:38:12.932-05:00New Horse Shootings and Update on Burro ShootingBack in February I posted about a number of <a href="http://hooflinks.blogspot.com/2009/02/burros-shot-to-death-in-arizona.html">burros shot in Arizona</a>. In that post I talked about a number of unsolved wild horse and burro shootings that were unsolved or improperly prosecuted. Since then there has not only been no resolution of the horrific case of the burro shootings, but the whole issue seems to have disappeared from the public focus. This means that short of someone coming in and confessing to ease their troubled mind, it is doubtful that it will ever be solved.<br /><br />However, according to the <a href="http://billingsgazette.net/articles/2009/06/21/news/wyoming/62-horses.txt">Billings Gazette</a> there has been another shooting. This time the shooter killed 3 horses at the federal corral in Rock Springs, Wyoming. The shooting occurred some time before employees returned to work on the morning of June 12, 2009. Two of the horses were privately owned and one was a wild horse from a recent gather. This time there are "a number of leads" and it is possible that it will be solved as the majority of horses were privately owned and not those pesky mustangs. The article mentions that in 2001 "more than 30" wild horses were shot in the area and that case has never been solved. That case in unlikely to ever be solved.<br /><br />It is time that EVERY case of shooting wild horses and/or burros is not only solved, but prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. The failure of our government acting on their behalf is due to the public's perceived apathy. It is time that we speak out and let them know that we are NOT apathetic and we care deeply about the well being and safety of OUR wild horses and burros. The BLM has a <a href="http://www.blm.gov/wo/st/en/prog/wild_horse_and_burro/feedback.html">webform available on their site</a> for the public to make comments about the Wild Horse and Burro Program. Please also ask your Senators and Congressperson to direct the BLM to enforce and ensure the safety of our wild horses and burros on public lands. (While speaking to them please also express your support for the ROAM Act, HR 1018, and ask for their support in passing this bill to further protect our wild horses and burros from extinction.) For more information on how you can help or issues plaguing the program visit the website <a href="http://www.saveourwildhorses.com">Save Our Wild Horses</a>, sponsored by the AHDF, or the blog <a href="http://americanherds.blogspot.com/">American Herds</a>.AHDF Presidenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826997341419839395noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7431334726688859967.post-4151470310257667222009-06-11T22:21:00.002-05:002009-06-12T01:18:19.644-05:00What is the AHDF?There is confusion over what exactly the AHDF is and what we do. Simply put, we are the humane organization for the equine* world. We are NOT an animal rights group. We are a welfare organization. We represent our members and the American public's interests in equine welfare-related legislation and litigation through:<br /><ul><li>conducting member and public targeted information campaigns</li><li>advocating for the humane treatment of all equine</li><li>supporting the legislative process through research and targeted informational products </li></ul>All too often the terms "rights" and "welfare" are used interchangeably by those who maybe trying to promote their own agenda. As the differences can be confusing, here it is in simple terms: Many animal rights groups believe animals have a certain rights, with some even going so far as to say that animals should have the same rights as people (think of an organization that is known by its four-letter acronym beginning with P). While, animal welfare groups promote the humane treatment of animals.<br /><br />When and where possible fiscally and physically, AHDF supports equine rescues, but we are not a rescue. We wish that we could do more for our equine rescue friends, but our limited funding does not allow us to do all we would like to do. We have numerous projects on the shelf, waiting for their very deserving needs. At this time our efforts are limited to promoting rescues and providing resources for them. Although we have been known to rescue or facilitate the rescue of horses on very special occasion, that is not one of our primary missions. We provide information on the care of horses for the novice owner and others with answers to common questions. We also provide information about our Nation's wild horses and burros....America's horses and burros. We also advocate for proper management and healthy wild herds.<br /><br />About 95% of our members are equine owners, who are generally aware of the issues facing horses today. Our members are mostly horse owners, who intend to use their animals for responsible breeding, riding, showing and recreational use. Fifty percent of our members are also the owners and/or operators of rescues. Our demographics show that AHDF is uniquely positioned to address the needs of equine with horse's best interests at heart. One could say that the AHDF is the humane horse association. However, we certainly do not restrict our membership to horse owners. <br /><br />The AHDF actively advocates for the introduction and passage of legislation relating to the humane treatment of horses, including but not limited to prohibition of horse slaughter for human consumption and the preservation of America's wild horses. As many have come to understand over the last several years in the face of our digital communications world, face-to-face interaction and discussions are essential to effective advocacy with legislators and other stake holders. Funding for those expenses have been paid by from the personal resources of the AHDF board members, however despite modest success from our efforts, that has that has proven too costly to continue. Therefore to continue our efforts to advocate in the halls of Congress, the AHDF must begin identifying and access available funding sources to assist with those costs, to the extent allowable by law.<br /><br />The AHDF has been active in influencing legislative efforts since our founder assisted in the introduction of the first anti-horse slaughter bill. Unlike other groups, our attention is not divided among many species, but is focused 100% on horses, and we do not differentiate among breeds either. That isn't to say that our members, staff and board don't care about other species or have a favorite breed, but that our focus is on all equine and equine alone,. That hopefully makes us more effective through focusing our attention from the issues facing horses, burros and other equine.<br /><br />Unlike larger organizations and even some rescues, the AHDF does not have a single paid staff member, has no large benefactor or a large pool of regular donors. We are a member driven organization. The AHDF is run and operated 100% by volunteers and we have no intention of ever changing that. Our core of dedicated people have accomplished amazing things through their heroic efforts. All with very limited external resources....they are all truly amazing and dedicated people. We greatly appreciate and admire our the tireless and often under appreciated work of our Nation's equine rescue counterparts. However there are much better positioned organizations in existence to support their efforts and since they are only one component of the humane treatment of horses equation, AHDF must focus its efforts on seeing through the enactment of humane-related legislation to remain true to our charter. Not to begrudge any organizations or their efforts, with a mere quarter of what some national organizations have at their disposal, AHDF could apply substantially greater influence and make a world of difference. Simply put, AHDF suffers from the same issues as our many rescues - a lack of funding. We have posted several blogs on the issue, but funding is CRITICAL for real humane change as those who are opposed to it are more than well-funded, extremely influential and very much opposed to doing the right thing.<br /><br />For our long term supporters, we appreciate you and apologize for the need to explain what we do. For those new to AHDF, we hope this better explains what we do.<br /><br />* Note: We use the words equine and horses interchangeably, but our meaning is always all members of the species equid.AHDF Presidenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826997341419839395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7431334726688859967.post-41678497768796051892009-05-20T04:58:00.002-05:002009-05-20T05:18:03.520-05:00Why so Quiet?I am sure some have noticed, or at least I hope they have, that I have been uncharacteristically quiet lately. It isn't that I have quit or took some much needed time off, but just a bout of depression brought on by the treatment of horses. I swear that every day I hear of some new atrocities and at some point it was bound to get to me and it finally did. I have NEVER been depressed like this before and I now have a new empathy and sympathy for those who battle it daily. It really made me question if I was crazy to ever think I could make a difference. It isn't that the depression has lifted, it is there as much today as yesterday, but I have decided I have whined about it enough and it is time to DO something. I got a phone call about an issue that was right up my alley, so I am back in the saddle again (so to speak).<br /><br />I can say though, that I have noticed a decided lack of activity during my self enforced solitude. Which makes me wonder if I am truly crazy to try and tackle all these issues on my own. I know that we all have our own personal issues that we have to deal with and at any given time any one of us could be preoccupied with those issues. However, it is as though pretty much everyone has given up. I do know that in response to the posts I made before I hit rock bottom was greatly lacking in enthusiasm. It is as if everyone gave up and went home and fogot to tell the rest of us who have been working so hard for so long.<br /><br />I know we have had some set backs, but we only lose if we quit. It is time to gather our strength and push past our disappointments and regain the momentum we had. It is time for the horses to finally have a victory. Trust me I know how difficult it can be to get there, but if we don't at least try we will never succeed. <br /><br />I know that my post about a lack of funding I got exactly 1 response. One person who paid her membership dues. While I greatly appreciate that person, she can no more afford to keep AHDF afloat than I can. If we don't get more funding in we will lose our mailbox, our phone, our websites and we will cease to exist. Perhaps the handwriting is on the wall and I should just give up too. Forget about banning slaughter, forget about stopping soring, forget about working to end abuse and neglect, forget about our vanishing wild horses and burros, forget about all the good we have done. Just forget it all and stick my head in the sand and ignore what is going on around me. I certainly cannot do it alone and if people are counting on other organizations, many of whom have already quit in everything but name and fundraising only, they are going to be sadly mistaken. If AHDF goes under we will lose the most active organization in equine welfare, but perhaps nobody cares?AHDF Presidenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826997341419839395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7431334726688859967.post-78729067956135168972009-05-20T04:07:00.002-05:002009-05-20T04:58:09.593-05:00PoliciesThe blog <a href="http://www.americanherds.blogspot.com/">American Herds</a>, written by one of the smartest women I know and am lucky to call a friend, recently posted an article that asks <a href="http://americanherds.blogspot.com/2009/05/show-me-money.html">"Where is the Money?"</a>. In her blog she writes about the BLM writing the Policy Handbook which will guide the BLM in their duties and the fact that it won't be open for public comment. There are reasons for this in government, but in this particular case I feel they should allow for comments and I am asking for your help in seeing that we ARE allowed to comment.<br /><br />First, let's look at why normally these things are not open for public comment. The government could be hampered in its operation by comments and frivolous law suits if they allow public comments on all policies set by various agencies that impact a certain segment of the population (for example the Army only sets policies that impact their service members and possibly their families). Usually policy is determined by the law and it is an internal document to clarify the law for employees or to address specific issues within an agency. An example is that Congress determines that a certain activity shouldn't be paid for with tax payer dollars, such as to pay for inspectors at a horse slaughter plant. The USDA has policy analysts that read the law and determine what exactly that means. As we know, they felt it meant that the plants could pay for their own inspectors. Why they made that determination, I don't know. The intent of Congress was clear during the debate, it was to shutter the nation's horse slaughter plants. However, they argued that other laws conflicted, they REQUIRED an inspector at plants slaughtering for meat that would be exported. I think that was a stretch and that the argument was thin, but if the public had been allowed to comment and our comments had been ignored it would have opened the door to law suits. Unfortunately it was a single policy that impacted a small percentage of the population, so we couldn't ask for them to allow comments at that time.<br /><br />However, the BLM policy book impacts a number of environmental issues and impacts anyone interested in public lands, including ranchers. So, it should be open to the public. They have acknowledged that by allowing the various Advisory Boards to provide comment. However, this isn't broad enough. That policy handbook should be open to public comments as there are pending changes to a variety of programs (wild horse and burro program, sage grouse, big horn sheep, hunting, grazing...) that impact billions of people. Since the BLM is the most litigated government agency, allowing public comments could even actually lessen the number of law suits. Since it impacts so many they should be allowed to comment if it directly impacts their lives and livelihoods and directly impact the quality of lives of those of us who visit, care about or wish to preserve our national lands and we should be allowed to at least comment on those policies. <br /><br />Everyone should contact the BLM and the Department of Interior (see below for contact info) and ask that an exemption be made for public comment on the Policy Handbook. Since it is doubtful that they will do the right thing despite public outcry you should also contact your <a href="http://www.house.gov/">Representative</a> and <a href="http://senate.gov">Senators</a> and ask that they move to allow the public to comment. For this to be effective we are going to need more than a few comments, we are going to need to literally FLOOD them with comments. So, please forward this information to everyone you know and every horse group out there. <br /><br /><span class="WideParrichtexteditorText"><p><a href="http://www.blm.gov/wo/st/en.html"><strong>BLM</strong></a></p><p><strong>Director</strong>: Mike Pool (Acting)<br />E-mail: <a class="WideParrichtexteditorText" href="mailto:Mike_Pool@blm.gov">Mike_Pool@blm.gov</a><br /><strong>Deputy Director (Operations)</strong>: Mike Nedd (Acting)<br />E-mail: <a class="WideParrichtexteditorText" href="mailto:Mike_Nedd@blm.gov">Mike_Nedd@blm.gov</a><br /><strong>Chief of Staff</strong>: Janet Lin<br />E-mail: <a class="WideParrichtexteditorText" href="mailto:janet_lin@blm.gov">janet_lin@blm.gov</a></p><p><strong>BLM Washington Office<br /></strong>1849 C Street NW, Rm. 5665<br />Washington DC 20240<br />Phone: 202-208-3801<br />Fax: 202-208-5242</p><p style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.doi.gov/">DOI</a></p></span><p><b>Mailing Address:</b><br />Department of the Interior<br />1849 C Street, N.W.<br />Washington DC 20240</p> <b>Phone:</b> 202-208-3100<br /><b>E-Mail:</b> <a href="mailto:feedback@ios.doi.gov" class="tab">feedback@ios.doi.gov</a><br />Feedback form: http://www.doi.gov/contact.html<span class="WideParrichtexteditorText"></span>AHDF Presidenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826997341419839395noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7431334726688859967.post-38512639671756105042009-04-21T15:55:00.003-05:002009-04-21T18:26:36.284-05:003 Stikes You're Out or The Ranch from HellRecently there have been a number of equine issues hitting the news. They include a jerk under arrest in California after he called the police telling them that his horse needed to be euthanized after suffering seizures due to an attack by dogs. Turns out that there was no dog attack, but that the man had hit the horse in the head with a hammer several times and then used a chainsaw to cut its head off to feed the horse to his dogs. The next one is that several polo ponies in Florida were found poisoned over the weekend. HSUS has sent a team in to investigate and hopefully the person or persons responsible will be found quickly and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Lastly is the issue that I want to talk about, the issue at the Nebraska ranch called 3 Strikes.<br /><br />The owner of the ranch has been arrested for felony animal cruelty in the death of "more than 10 but less than 100" horses with more potential charges pending. He has been released on bail at this time. (Please note that while charged, it has not been proven in a court of law and in the US all suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty, so all of the information posted here are what is alleged.) The Bureau of Land Management has taken possession of a single BLM titled horse and have confirmed the death of at least 2 horses and 2 burros that are still titled to the BLM. The BLM has also ordered a necropsy (horsie autopsy) of the dead BLM horses to determine their exact cuase of death. However, evidence at the scene doesn't support poisoning but more likely starvation.<br /><br />However, that is the end of the story. Let's go back to the beginning. I first heard of the 3 Strikes Ranch a little over a year ago. The owner, Jason Meduna, was promoting the ranch as a safe haven for mustangs who can no longer be cared for by their owners and a place for horses placed by BLM on a sale authority under the Burn's Amendment's three striles rule (where if a horse is put up for adoption 3 times, but not adopted could be sold without restriction). After the three strikes rule was put into place there were a number of mustangs that ended up at horse slaughter plants. The equine welfare community was up in arms over that and the BLM temporarily halted the sales while they developed an affidavit for potential owner to sign stating that they do not intend to use the horses for slaughter. Mr Meduna seemed to have stepped up to save the day to provide a sanctuary for these horses. <br /><br />Some folks actively supported Mr Meduna and even nominated him to the BLM Wild Horse and Burro Advisory Board. This guy just seemed to many to be Mr Wonderful offering not only a sanctuary for the often mishandled and misplaced wild horses, but a training program to help rehome these wonderful animals. However, at the time some of his statements struck me the wrong way and AHDF didn't support his nomination. It wasn't that I or AHDF knew anything, it was just one of those feelings. Around that time I was told that he had over 300 horses at his ranch, but could handle about 1000.<br /><br />Later an issue came up that more than 227 horses from a Native American reservation needed to be placed. These horses were genetically special because they had been genetically linked to the original Indian ponies and were very closely related to the original Spanish ponies that were reintroduced in North America. Mr Meduna stepped forward to offer placement for these horses. I didn't keep up with what followed, but I have been told that he took at least some of these horses. I don't know how many or exactly when because once he stepped forward those negotiations went private. That would put the number of horses on his ranch from anywhere close to 400 to over 500. I have also been told that he has taken a number from several rescues. Again, increasing his numbers. Things like that would have made me nervous because too many times we have seen new rescues take in large numbers and not be able to provide the proper care for them. However, it went under the radar for me and probably most people. Until now I don't think that anyone knew the numbers of horses he was taking in because I am sure that it would have rung alarm bells all over the community. I raise the question of the number of horses because I think this story goes deeper than any of us know right now, as bad as now is. <br /><br />The pro-slaughter folks often use things like this to show why horse slaughter is necessary. However that is a bit disingenuous. This guy wasn't "forced" into a position where he had no outlet for his horses. He went out looking for more and more and offering to take more and more horses. This is more of a hoarder's mentality and hoarders do NOT get rid of their animals. If the rescue community had known about all the collecting we could have stepped in to prevent the situation or at least minimize it. However, we were unaware that it was growing and being fed by various rescues, individuals and Mr Meduna's apparent desire for more and more horses and more and more attention.<br /><br />When horses began to die at the 3 Strikes Ranch a plausible story was put out that the horses were being poisoned. People rallied around the ranch and Mr Meduna. The story was so believable that people even filed complaints against a very innocent and confused vet. However, this is where the story began to unravel. <br /><br />When a stallion disappeared Mr Meduna told a supporter that he had been stolen. The police were called and a report was even filed with Net Posse. When the police began investigating they could find no local vets who could verify that they had treated or even been called about any horse poisonings. This tipped them off that something wasn't right at the ranch. After investigating further the horrors became apparent, bodies of unburied horses apparently litter the ground at the ranch. The "stolen" horse has been located, but his condition is not yet being released. Several horse rescue groups have stepped forward, including the Texas based Habitat for Horses and the Colorado based Front Range Equine Rescue. The horses were beginning to be evaluated and treated during Mr Meduna's incarciration. <a href="http://www.habitatforhorses.org/">Habitat for Horses</a> (HfH) was forced to hire an airplane to view the whole ranch and determine where all the horses and bodies were located. <a href="http://www.frontrangeequinerescue.org/">Front Range</a> is collecting funds to care for the horses, so if anyone would like to donate PLEASE send your donations to them. <br /><br />Today the news has come out from Jerry Finch of HfH has obtained a release from Mr Meduna for 200 horses and 10 burros. Thankfully it seems that he is willing to do the right thing, but probably more to save himself and a little too late for too many horses. HfH and Front Range are coordianting the placement of these horses, but they are a long way from being able to be moved. Some of the horses are in such poor condition that they can bearly stand. Others have gone down and may not be able to be saved. Local vets have provided a great deal of assitance as have other individuals who previously supported Mr Meduna and these horses finally have a chance to have the lives that Mr Meduna had promised. <br /><br />I write this not just to ask for help for those helping horses, but to again stress that people should check situations and people out. If that had been done earlier things might not have gotten this bad. Too often we think that others are as kind hearted as we are and they aren't, they are taking advantage of our kindness. We think that because we care and others say they do that they are good people, they aren't always. I hate to think that one has to go through life thinking that others are out there trying to get us, but sometimes we have to protect ourselves. If someone seems to be taking all the horses, or is jumping up first to take in large numbers of hores it is best to at least question it and/or let others know. If an alarm bell rings in your head or you get a bad feeling in your gut you should listen to it. Thankfully this mess is being cleaned up, but too many paid with their lives and at least some of it could have been avoided. It is possible that we may never know what happened to all of the horses or even why or what other secrets may be buried at the "Ranch from Hell" as it is now being called.AHDF Presidenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826997341419839395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7431334726688859967.post-29051886201783704972009-04-02T18:17:00.002-05:002009-04-02T18:37:44.295-05:00WarningSince 2007 Florida horse owners have had a problem. Someone has been stealing their horses and slaughtering them for their meat. The latest one was in Feb when the owner discovered her horse missing. She contacted the police immediately, but even after a search the horse wasn't located. A few days later the horse's body was found nearby, butchered. This is happening at a rate of one horse a week. The Humane Society of the United States is offering a reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction.<br /><br />If anyone with a horse lives in Florida, especially near the Miami area, you should increase your vigilance to protect your horses. Net Posse has some great tips to prevent theft, and even AHDF has a few tips on our website. If your horse is stolen please notify the police ASAP. Arrocding to reports not all of the horses slaughtered were reported stolen.<br /><br />If you live in Florida and someone comes to your door selling meat, do NOT buy it. It is possible that it could be horse meat. Selling or giving away horse meat is illegal in the state of Florida. Besides, those of us who follow the issue can tell you that horse meat is unsafe to consume for a variety of reasons. First, this meat has not been processed in a safe and healthy environment. Second, because horse meat contains many known carcinogens from wormer and other medications. Third, because this meat was obtained illegally and the people who owned the horses didn't consent to their slaughter and most are highly upset about the loss. If you are approached to buy the meat contact the police. <br /><br />This is the most terrible crime. These people are not only stealing and murdering these animals, but they are taking the safety and security of the families from whom they are stealing. They are taking furry animal members from their families. I know not every one thinks of their pets as family members, but nobody has the right to decide that for anyone else. If one does consider them family members can you imagine how horrified and striken they are to find them dead with their bodies cut up? Nobody should do that to another.<br /><br />Please be careful out there.AHDF Presidenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826997341419839395noreply@blogger.com0