NEPA

As the park moves forward with its wild horse management plan, what we all need to understand is that there is a process being followed by Theodore Roosevelt National Park as they move forward with their plan.

That process is called NEPA.

NEPA stands for National Environmental Policy Act.  You can read more about it on this website: https://www.environmentalscience.org/nepa-intro-united-states-environmental-policy

Here are some important points to note for you:

NEPA was signed into Law in 1970 and set the stage for environmental law in the United States.  – THIS is all that matters folks!  THIS is our most powerful tool to fight the park with. THIS is why emotions, stories and unsubstantiated opinions or statistics will NOT help the Theodore Roosevelt National Park wild horses.  We need healthy doses of good old common sense that can be backed by FACTS & SCIENCE! THIS is why CHWHA has hired the environmental law firm of Eubanks and Associates to help us fight for these horses!

NEPA will make sure that Theodore Roosevelt National Park considers the environmental impact of their proposed action with regard to the wild horses entrusted in their care. 

The park has given us their proposed action: Alternative C – Proposed Action: Phased Reduction of Herds to No Livestock. 

The park also has to give us a “no-action” alternative – which for the park dates back to their severely outdated 1978 EA (this can be found in the library section of our website: https://chwha.org/library/ ): Alternative A – No Action Alternative: Continued herd management under the 1978 EA and 1970 Management Plan

NEPA states that the park has to give a range of REASONABLE alternatives to consider.  But the park has NOT provided any REASONABLE alternatives.  Worse yet, it is supporting one that will have devastating consequences for the Theodore Roosevelt wild horses:  Alternative C – Proposed Action: Phased Reduction of Herds to No Livestock. The only other option they are considering at this time is eliminating the herd of horses in an expedited fashion: Alternative B – Action Alternative: Expedited Reduction of Herds to No Livestock

THIS is why your comments are important.  WHAT ELSE SHOULD THEY CONSIDER? 

After this public comment period, the park will decide which additional analyses ALONG WITH THE ONES LISTED ABOVE – to consider as they begin to research the potential impacts of the options.  This research should include things like a much-needed updated forage report. 

We have listed documents that you can use to support your comments on our website: https://chwha.org/save-the-trnp-wild-horses/

The biggest thing that should be in your comment letter is that Theodore Roosevelt National Park must allow an analysis that allows for a minimum of 150 horses in the herd to maintain genetic diversity.  There is enough science to back this that can easily be found in a simple google search.  Again, we have other supporting documents on our website here: https://chwha.org/save-the-trnp-wild-horses/

Please continue to send us your questions.  You CAN also comment directly on these posts on our website below!

Have you sent your emails to Senator Hoeven’s office? Please see yesterday’s blog post for more information in our first “Call to Action” https://chwha.org/2022/12/26/call-to-action-1/

Thank you for your support! 

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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.