Hello and Happy Sunday to everyone! We are excited to say our supportive following
for Chasing Horses Wild Horse Advocates (CHWHA) continues to grow. As new voices join us, general questions get asked over again.

We thought we would take a moment provide some of those answers in a recap of “Why is this happening to this iconic herd of wild horses in the Theodore Roosevelt National Park (TRNP)”, and “What can I do and what has CHWHA done to help save them?”

We do want to remind everyone that IF these horses are removed from TRNP, they will NEVER return!

We ONLY get ONE chance to save these historical wild horses!  Even when it seems like nothing is happening, CHWHA is doing all we can to save this iconic herd of wild horses.  There is no time for complacency!  We also cannot sit and wait for the Park to issue their final decision.  The time to act is NOW!

WHY IS THIS HAPPENING?

This is the #1 question that we are ALL asking!

The Park has offered weak justifications, ranging from the claim that the horses are not native to the landscape, to their desire to restore a natural prairie ecosystem, to even stating the horses are classified as “livestock”; which are not permitted on NPS lands.

I was speaking with a friend and ally from a neighboring state’s Game and Fish Department about this.  He says that the National Park Service (NPS) mentality is simply to maintain a natural ecosystem. In their view, since the NPS does not recognize horses as native, their opinion is that they should not be there. This is also something the Park has told us in their public statements.

WHAT HAS CHWHA DONE, some highlights:

In 2020, to help understand and work with the legalese of the situation, CHWHA retained the law firm of Eubanks and Associates, PLLC.

In March of 2022, TRNP announced they would FINALLY give the wild horses, entrusted in their care, a much-needed management plan: the last plan written in 1978. During their time, former TRNP Superintendents even commented about the lack of formal standard of management for the herd.

In December of 2022, TRNP announced their proposed action was the TOTAL ELIMINATION of the herd.

Being backed by our supporting followers, CHWHA has been a prime leader in the fight to save these horses and accomplished the following actions:

• CHWHA collaborated with North Dakota State Legislators to draft North Dakota Senate Concurrent Resolution SCR-4044 during the 2023 ND Legislative Session.  This resolution passed UNANIMOUSLY.  SCR-4014 is a formal request by the state of North Dakota to the National Park Service asking that the wild horses be allowed to stay IN Theodore Roosevelt National Park (TRNP).  Copies of this resolution were sent to our ND federal delegates, the Secretary of the Interior and the National Park Service both in Washington, DC and to Superintendent Richman.  Since this was a resolution, not a bill, Governor Burgum did NOT have to sign this.  To show his support and the importance of this resolution, Governor Burgum did a ceremonial signing of this resolution and handed the signed copy to CHWHA President Christine Kman.
• CHWHA President Chris Kman has earned and continues to earn, authentic trust from the media in North Dakota, Nationally and internationally, as she persists in raising awareness about the plight of this historic herd of horses. You can view some of the news stories on our website here: https://chwha.org/chwha-in-the-news/
• In April 2023, CHWHA lobbied Congress and was a presenter at the “Save Our Wild Horses” conference in Washington, DC.
• Also, in April 2023, CHWHA collaborated with the MHA Nation to draft a resolution requesting TRNP allow the horses to remain in the Park.
• In July 2023, CHWHA met had a personal meeting with NPS Regional Director Bert Frost.
• In July 2023, CHWHA held a rally in Medora, ND, which people across the USA enthusiastically attended to voice their concerns: rally viewing available on CHWHA’s YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/3HQYR0hzfqg
• Also, in July 2023, CHWHA assisted the historic City of Medora in drafting a resolution requesting TRNP to allow the horses to remain in the Park.
• CHWHA continues regular conversations to work with ND Senator John Hoeven’s office and staff.
• With CHWHA encouragement, Senator Hoeven added language to the NPS Appropriations Bill urging the NPS to allow a genetically viable herd of horses to remain IN the Park. This NPS Appropriations Bill is expected to pass the US House and Senate during the first part of March 2024.
• CHWHA continues to cultivate strong and authentic collaborations with advocacy groups of all sizes, including the larger organizations like the American Wild Horse Campaign, In Defense of Animals, and The Cloud Foundation. Together, we remain deeply committed to the Fight for the Spirit of the Badlands.
• From 2022 to the present, CHWHA has issued timely Calls to Action that have been highly successful. Recognizing the importance of timing, we have attempted to capitalize on every opportunity that we have been given!
• We have reached out and talked to everyone that would listen, or not, we still talked. Our actions will continue as CHWHA will persist in all efforts to seize every opportunity available to save these iconic wild horses!

WHAT CAN YOU DO RIGHT NOW?

A question that keeps circulating is: Should I write to the NPS Regional Director Bert Frost?

You absolutely are free to contact his office if you desire.  CHWHA has spoken with him several times over the last year both in person and via email.  We also know that Governor Burgum’s office has been in communication with his office.  He has not been responsive to any of us.  If we have gotten a response, it has been encouraging us to participate in the public comment periods during this process. 

Can we send a petition?

We are beyond petitions to Theodore Roosevelt National Park.  CHWHA has done this in the past.  There is also no reason to send petitions to our state or federal legislators – they are all on our side!  CHWHA did recently have a petition that was sent with just under 4,000 signatures to the State Historic Preservation Office.  If a situation arises where a petition will be helpful, we will create one or suggest that you support someone else’s.  Right now there are no petitions being circulated that we support. 

Can public action compel Superintendent Richman and other Park staff to resign or be dismissed?

This is fundamentally a policy issue, and that is what requires change in order to save these iconic wild horses. Superintendent Richman and other Park staff’s responsibilities are basically to execute the NPS plans.  If any of them are fired, they will only be replaced with someone else charged with carrying out the NPS plans. 

Can lawyers be hired to sue the TRNP?

We have retained the law firm of Eubanks and Associates.  They continue to give us legal advice.  At this time, there is no basis for a lawsuit. The Park is currently involved in a NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act) process, and that process must be completed before any potential legal action can be pursued.

CHWHA is collaborating with their legal team on several other matters while awaiting the Parks final decision. CHWHA cannot disclose these actions or plans at this time, but they will do so when the time is right.

WHAT CAN I DO?

We suggest spreading the word of this situation to everyone that will listen, from a neighbor to grocery aisle help.

Call or email your local news stations and radio stations.

Share our social media pages and website to get the information and resource links in front of as many people as possible:

CHWHA Website link: http://www.chwha.org

CHWHA FB page link https://www.facebook.com/ChasingHorsesWHA

CHWHA YouTube link https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeyTpwa2Y1yUsTaJ4TU-eNw

Instagram @chasinghorseswha

Send emails or letters to:

Secretary Deb Haaland
email: exsec@ios.doi.gov 
Mailing address:
U.S. Department of the Interior
1849 C Street, NW
Washington, DC 20240
Phone: 202- 208-3100

NPS Director Charles F. Sams III
email: charles_sams@nps.gov 
Mailing Address:
National Park Service
1849 C Street NW
Washington, DC 20240
Phone: 202-208-6843

Send a letter to the North Dakota State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO):
North Dakota State Historic Preservation Office
612 E. Boulevard Ave.
Bismarck, ND  58505
Attn: Bill Peterson

The State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) is conducting a Section 106 Review to determine IF the TRNP wild horses are historically and culturally significant. The public CAN weigh in on this!

We believe that this is the main hurdle affecting the Park’s ability to complete this process.  Superintendent Richman confirmed this in a recent statement to the press.  We also know that the SHPO has returned their report to TRNP, requesting additional information.

WHAT ARE CHWHA FUTURE ACTIONS?

Due to the nature of the situation, we unfortunately can’t or just don’t have the time in the day to post every meeting and action we have, but we regularly communicate with N. Dakota State and Federal Legislators.

CHWHA continues to reach out to N.D. gubernatorial candidates: specifically Kelly Armstrong and Tammy Miller, asking them if they are elected will they offer the same support to keep the wild horses in Theodore Roosevelt National park that has been received from Governor Burgum.

CHWHA has a meeting scheduled with Kelly Armstrong’s office the week for February 19th 2024, to discuss this.

CHWHA is still waiting for a reply from Tammy Miller’s office.

CHWHA is also working in close collaboration with the group Sun’ka Wakan Hotanin (Voices for Sacred Horses) of the Standing Rock Reservation, formed by multiple Indigenous Horse Nations, organizing a 200-mile horseback ride from Ft. Yates to Medora, to bring National and International awareness of the TRNP horses’ plight. Their support could not have come at a better time!

Since around 2019, CHWHA has been working on its long-term goal of securing federal protection for these iconic horses. This is critical to ensure that future generations are able to experience wild horses in the Badlands of North Dakota the same way we do today!

Senator Hoeven’s office has expressed willingness to assist with a federal law, but that process will take years. We are currently in the process of drafting legislation to share with his office.

CHWHA is also advocating for the Park to conduct an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) instead of the Environmental Assessment (EA) they have done. An EIS would require a more thorough examination of the impact of their proposed action. An EIS would take years to fully complete.  This would also give more opportunities for the public to comment.

As new opportunities for action arise, we will share them with you. We encourage you to explore our YouTube channel, past blogs, and the Library section of our website for more information.

Educated advocates are our strongest asset in the Fight for the Spirit of the Badlands!  Stay tuned for some NEW Horse Talks coming soon!

Thank you for your support, and we hope you enjoy the rest of your weekend!

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