Public Comments: Sand Wash Basin Wild Horses DUE JULY 5

Email your public comments to blm_co_wild_horse_management@blm.gov before July 5, 2018.

WHAT TO SAY:

- I write to oppose the proposed gather plan of Sand Wash Basin wild horses. 

- “Appropriate Management Level” is an arbitrary number, with no base in science.

- Follow §4710.5 of the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burro Act of 1971, which pertains to the closure of (legally designated) wild horse and burro herd area for livestock grazing. It states in part that, "if necessary to provide habitat for wild horses and burros from disease, harassment or injury, the authorized officer may close appropriate areas of the public lands to grazing use by all or a particular kind of livestock." Grazing on public lands is a privilege, not a right. AND There should be no roundups or use of PZP until BLM proves that there is overpopulation of wild horses.

- Colorado's wild horse population is estimated to be 1693 wild horses, per BLM. These horses roam a "Herd Area" of 723,095. Of that area, there is a designated "Herd Management Area" of 365,988.  This puts the population density for Colorado's wild horses at 0.00230 horse per 1 acre. An international comparison with other wild equines demonstrates that the population density is very low: 
Plain Zebra in Yabllo N.P. Ethiopia: 0.026 - ten times higher, predators are present. 
Plain Zebra in Nechisar N.P.: 0.067 - 29 times higher, predators are present. 
Plain Zebra in Simanjiro Plains Tanzania: 0.044 - 19 times higher, predators are present.

- If Colorado's horses are overpopulated, why does BLM allow do many more cattle on the same land? BLM allows 584,561 “AUM”s (Animal Month Unit) grazing permit that means a 1000 lbs animal: a cow with a calf, or 5 sheep/goat grazing. Why would be 1693 Wild horses too much for the range, if 584,561 cattle is not?

- The gather plan proposes to "use all approved gather methods, such as bait-trapping and helicopter drive-trapping".  These methods can be inhumane and cause great harm to the horses gathered. During the ten miles or so that horses are chased by helicopters, foals and other horses can break bones, hooves can be injured. Once in the holding pen, there is typically insufficient veterinary care and family bands are separated. I oppose these cruel, outdated methods for gathering and holding wild horses. 

- Due to the reasons stated above, I oppose the plan to gather the Sand Wash Basin wild horses.