Hello and Happy Saturday!

Today I wanted to take a few moments to answer some questions about what your testimony should look like and WHY you need to testify for BOTH SB 2331 and SCR 4006.

I think everyone understand SCR 4006 – it is a resolution that asks our federal legislators to get federal protection for the wild horses of Theodore Roosevelt National Park.

That is ALL a resolution is – an ASK.  A request by the state to our federal legislators asking for federal protection for the wild horses that call Theodore Roosevelt National Park home. 

SB 2331 is the part that DOES something!

SB 2331 creates a NEW North Dakota LAW! When SB 2331 is passed WITH SCR 4006, the law has the potential for real power for change!

If you are not familiar with the Colorado Wild Horse Working Group, you can view the charter they drafted here:

The North Dakota working group will understandably work differently than what happens in Colorado. 

The legislation states that the people appointed have to meet at least twice a year for the next two years. 

During those meetings, stakeholders from across the state of North Dakota (all listed on the legislation) will come together and decide on what the goals of the working group are – what will they do, who will do it, how will it get done, etc.  AND they will also discuss what the priorities are for the wild horses in TRNP i.e. maybe a PROPER management plan?

Then in 2027, they will come before the legislature and tell them what they found and let them know the how’s and why’s of the budget they created for the work they are prepared to do.

This group will keep North Dakota’s priorities front and center on the future management of the wild horses that call TRNP home.   It has been CLEARLY stated that North Dakota WANTS wild horses to always remain in TRNP!

As we work to get federal legislation passed – our hope is that by working with Senator Hoeven’s office, this group is called out in that federal legislation to give the much needed and proper oversight to Theodore Roosevelt National Park so that we NEVER have to worry about the park trying to eradicate the horses from the boundaries of the park OR do things like slowly help them die off by trying to permanently sterilize the herd with GonaCon.

DON’T FORGET THE LAST THREE YEARS!!!  As advocates, who have fought with everything we had to save this herd, we have to make sure we NEVER go through that again.

Also…

DON’T FORGET:

Blake McCann’s own words – they are trying to “Halt reproduction of this herd” – if that does not scream for the need for some kind of oversight – then I do not know what will!

SCR 4006 AND SB 2331 are BOTH needed to make sure the freedom of these wild horses is NEVER threatened again!

I hope this helps you see the differences and also why BOTH pieces of this legislation need to pass.

SCR 4006 – the resolution asking for federal protection for the herd will go before the committee on 2/6/2025 at 3:15 pm.  You can submit testimony by going to the link below and clicking on the “Hearing” tab.  Then you will see a place to click to submit testimony.  https://ndlegis.gov/assembly/69-2025/regular/bill-hearings/bh4006.html?bill_year=2025&bill_number=4006

The deadline to submit testimony for this public hearing is 1:30 PM, February 06, 2025.

SB 2331 – the bill asking the state to form a working group to work with Theodore Roosevelt National Park to manage the wild horses will go before the committee on 2/7/2025 at 9:30 am. You can submit testimony by going to the link below and clicking on the “Hearing” tab.  Then you will see a place to click to submit testimony.  https://ndlegis.gov/assembly/69-2025/regular/bill-hearings/bh2331.html?bill_year=2025&bill_number=2331

The deadline to submit testimony for this public hearing is 8:30 AM, February 07, 2025.

We have less than a week to get as many people to testify as possible! 

Please make sure that you are testifying IN SUPPORT OF BOTH pieces of legislation.

REMEMBER: If you would like to testify in person or virtually, please email us at info@chwha.org.  We are working with our legislators to streamline the in-person and virtual testimony.

You should be testifying “In support” of both pieces asking for a “DO PASS” from the committees. 

The next week will be insane for me!  Feel free to ask questions if you have them, but understand that I may be slow to respond with all that is now on my plate.  You can email questions to us at info@chwha.org

Thank you for your support and have a great weekend!

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