BLM schedules emergency gather to save wild horses Published July 3, 2007 By Kirsten Cannon BLM Las Vegas Field Office Public Affairs LAS VEGAS/NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE -- The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will conduct an emergency gather July 6-8 in an effort to save approximately 200 wild horses on the eastern side of the Nevada Wild Horse Range that are suffering from lack of water. The herd area is located entirely within the boundaries of the U.S. Air Force's Nevada Test and Training Range. The lack of water and severe temperatures have dried up existing water sources in the Kawich Valley for the wild horses. BLM staff conducted an over flight of the area June 30, which confirmed the animals have minimal water. BLM crews have filled Cedar Well trough with 14,000 gallons of water since June 14 to ensure the horses had water and conducted repairs on a water development in an effort to regenerate water flow. The crew reestablished a minimal flow, but it is not sufficient to meet the needs of the 200 horses. "The health and welfare of the wild horses is our primary concern," said Juan Palma, BLM Las Vegas Field Office manager. "The horses will suffer from dehydration if we don't remove them." The BLM is mandated by law to manage wild free-roaming horses and burros in a manner that is designed to achieve and maintain a thriving natural ecological balance on the public lands. Continued water hauling is not a viable solution according to Palma. "It is very expensive and is a short-term fix that does not resolve the long-term issue," he said. "If we are at the point where BLM must haul water to keep the animals alive, we clearly do not have a thriving natural ecological balance on the public lands." Hauling operations also would require planning and coordination with the Air Force since the herd area is located entirely within the boundaries of the Nevada Test and Training Range. Access must be scheduled well in advance to ensure hauling activities would not compromise the Air Force mission. All 200 animals are within a six-mile radius of the Cedar Well trough. BLM estimates gathering operations may be completed within the first day with minimal stress on the animals. Once gathered, the horses will be transported to the BLM's regional corral facility near Ridgecrest. An estimated 1,100 to 1,150 wild horses will remain after the emergency gather. For more information regarding the gather contact Kirsten Cannon, BLM Public Affairs Officer, Las Vegas Field Office (720) 515-5057. For all inquiries regarding Nellis Air Force Base and the Nevada Test and Training Range, contact Michael Estrada, deputy chief of Public Affairs (702) 652-2753.
