9 DAYS!!!

Hello and Happy Sunday to everyone!

It was too nice of a day to NOT be out enjoying it in some capacity yesterday!  As we were leaving the park, we found Stallion Teton and his band grazing along the snow-covered landscape with some bison as the sun was setting. 

As I sat and watched Teton, I thought, you have no idea how many people are fighting for your right to continue to do this VERY simple thing that you have done throughout your 13 years of life – simply live wild and free within the boundaries of Theodore Roosevelt National Park. 

There is no doubt and no question that Teton and the other 185 wild horses that call the park home only add to the rustic landscape of the Badlands of North Dakota.  These horses help recreate a scene that Theodore Roosevelt himself experienced when he was in this same place at a much different time in our history. 

Before we went out to the park, we went to the Dickinson Area Chamber of Commerce’s “Coffee with the Legislators”.  The video will be available Monday or Tuesday and we will share that link as soon as we have it.

We had the opportunity to speak with some different North Dakota house and senate members.  They are all as upset as we are at the Park’s actions.  A few of them have seen the resolution that we presented to Representative Josh Boschee.  Senator Jay Elkin said he will be sponsoring this resolution and Representative Mike Lefor said that he would be co-sponsoring the resolution.  Both said they would do whatever they could to help keep the horses in the park.  Senator Elkin said that the resolution is expected to come down from legal maybe Monday or Tuesday.  He is not sure what committee it will be presented to.  We will be testifying when the time comes and are recruiting others to testify as well. They, like the legislators we spoke with last week, believe this resolution will pass with no problems.

Again, we cannot thank each one of you enough!  There was a point in this resolution process where I wasn’t sure if this was even going to happen.  ALL of your calls, emails and letters WERE HEARD! Our state’s elected officials are now doing the job we elected them to do.  They are making sure that Theodore Roosevelt National Park, Governor Burgum and our federal delegates ALL hear what the people who live AND visit North Dakota are saying – “KEEP THE HORSES IN THE PARK!”

This is not THE answer for these horses.  We do believe that it will carry some weight and also hope it helps to open the eyes of our federal delegates as to what the people of North Dakota expect from them. 

These horses need your help to get assistance from our federal delegates.  Please make sure you contact their offices.  We gave all of their information in our Call to Action #9: https://chwha.org/2023/01/16/15-days-call-to-action-9/

We have just 9 DAYS left – yep!  We are officially in the single digits to help save this herd.

Remember, the #1 way that you can help this herd is to make sure you send your comment to the park!   

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 have even given you a sample comment letter that you can customize with your own thoughts on what you want for the future of this herd: https://chwha.org/2023/01/20/sample-comment-letter/

Remember what the park is asking the public at this time: They have a PROPOSED ACTION = TOTAL removal of the horses from the park. They are considering 2 other alternatives and want to know from YOU what else they should be considering for the future of this herd as they move forward with the NEPA process. If you are NOT familiar with the NEPA process, the presentation we did earlier this month can be viewed here: https://chwha.org/events/

The NEXT public comment period will come when they share the results of their research. NOW is the time for you to let them know what YOU want to see for the future of this herd!

Thank you for your support and have a GREAT day!

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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.