It has been a long week as we come into this hump day. We are happy to have the support of all of you have given us this week. It has been a LONG and SHOCKING week!
So, for this moment…
Let’s all take a DEEEEEPPPPPP breath.
What CAN we do?
For starters let’s STOP sharing false information!
The park has listed 3 analyses that they will consider when they do their Environmental Assessment. They are asking us – THE TAXPAYING PUBLIC – WHAT ELSE SHOULD WE CONSIDER?
This was a point of confusion on the last comment period. So much so, that if you look at page 6 of their Civic Engagement Report (found in our CHWHA Library: https://chwha.org/library/) You will see they clearly state ONCE AGAIN:
“Furthermore, this was not a vote-counting process, and the emphasis was on the comment’s content rather than the number of times a comment was received.”
There is NO reason to include in your comment to them “I pick A”
A is NOT a viable option for this herd. 35-60 horses has been scientifically proven to NOT be enough horses for a viable herd.
They are NOT going to tally up all of the totals and pick a “winner” from the 3 analyses they have offered.
We cannot tell you WHAT to comment – we are just telling you that commenting “pick A” is not a comment that will hold any weight with the final outcome for these horses.
What SHOULD you comment?
This is what the park IS asking for:
“You are invited to submit comments on the information in this newsletter, the preliminary alternatives, proposed action, and what the EA should address and analyze. Comments that provide relevant and new information with sufficient detail are most useful. Comments that will be considered are those that present information that can be used when developing alternatives, present reasonable alternatives, or present information that can be used when the NPS considers impacts of alternatives. Comments that cannot be considered include comments for or against an action without any reasoning, comments that only agree or disagree with NPS policy, comments without justification or supporting data, comments that take the form of vague, open-ended questions, and form letters. Comments are not accepted by fax, e-mail or in any other form. Bulk comments in any format (hard copy or electronic) submitted on behalf of others will not be accepted. Please share your comments no later than January 31, 2023, online through the PEPC website at: https://parkplanning.nps.gov/LP
Or in writing to:
Superintendent
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
PO Box 7
Medora, ND 58645”
We ask that you take a moment and think about what you want for these horses and then tell them that! We will continue to share information on our blog that you are welcome to share in your comments. There are also resources in the library section of our website (https://chwha.org/library/) of documents you can use to support your comments if you like – including our last comment letter.
Know that Chasing Horses Wild Horse Advocates will be sending in a very detailed letter, written with the help of our legal team, with a TON (or at least 15 lbs!) of supporting documentation to back up analyses we feel need to be considered for the future of this herd. We will share that with you when it is completed. We will also continue to share points that should be considered in our blog posts on our website.
We have until January 31, 2023 to comment – so please take some time and give thoughtful consideration to what you are commenting.
We are also talking with friends at American Wild Horse Campaign and The Cloud Foundation. We are confident we will have more to share from them as well in the coming days and weeks. We are not currently working with any other nonprofit groups but DO welcome ANY of them to contact us if they want to work with us to save the Theodore Roosevelt National Park horses. This is a time for all of us to stand together. The park has stated clearly what they their choice is: TOTAL ELIMINATION OF THESE HORSES FROM THE PARKS LANDSCAPE! We ALL need to work together to fighter harder than ever for these horses! We can be contacted at info@chwha.org.
What else can you do?
Please DO sign up for the public meeting:
The NPS will hold a virtual public scoping meeting on January 12, 2023. Attendees can join by computer or phone to learn about the Livestock Plan. You can find information about joining the meeting on the project Planning, Environment, and Public Comment (PEPC) website: https://parkplanning.nps.gov/LP. Please note that comments can only be accepted through the PEPC website or by U.S. mail and will not be recorded or documented during the virtual meeting.
Please DO help support Chasing Horses Wild Horse Advocates – there are a number of ways you can do this on our website: https://chwha.org/support-chwha/. The future of these wild horses is seriously being called into question. There are no guarantees which is why we have chosen to partner with Eubanks and Associates to help us navigate through this process, up to and including litigation if need be, to make sure the TRNP wild horses stay right where they currently are – WILD and FREE in Theodore Roosevelt National Park! Once again, there are several ways you can help listed on our website.
We have also heard from some businesses that are interested in doing a matching fund donation. If you have a business and would like to help, please contact us at info@chwha.org! No amount is too small to help these horses!
Thank you for your support! We appreciate each one of you!
Chasing Horses Wild Horse Advocates is committed to advocating for a wild horse management plan and protection for these unique wild horses that call Theodore Roosevelt National Park home! We are fighting for a management plan that is guided by science especially when it comes to decisions regarding the removal of horses and the administration of birth control. Many other wild horse management plans have proven to be successful with their science-based plans. We are asking for the same for this amazing group of wild horses that call Theodore Roosevelt National Park home.
I think they have survived HOW MANY YEARS and now are a natural pary if the park. JUST LIKE THE BUFFALO. Who’s idea was this???
Wild horse populations have been diminished on most of the land that government controls and where industry knows no bounds
All that is left are small sanctuaries that naturally protect their wildness so that they do not become orphans of the landscape
Their Struggle to remain Wild is Ours to remain Humane