“The two words ‘information’ and ‘communication’ are often used interchangeably, but they signify quite different things. Information is giving out; communication is getting through.”

~ Sydney J. Harris

The Senate bill S1377, The Theodore Roosevelt National Park Wild Horse Protection Act passing the Senate was an important step.

Now, we need the House to make it stronger!

S. 1377, the Theodore Roosevelt National Park Wild Horse Protection Act, accomplishes the most important goal: it requires the Secretary of the Interior to maintain a wild horse herd in the South Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park.

The bill establishes a minimum population of 150 horses, restricts removal of horses from the Park with the exception of specific reasons outlined in the bill, requires a management plan, and requires annual public reporting on the population, structure, and health of the herd.

Those protections matter.

As the bill moves through the House, however, several targeted amendments would provide clearer long-term direction and ensure that North Dakota expertise, current science, and local interests are part of future management decisions.

CHWHA has requested four amendments

1. Establish a formal North Dakota stakeholder and scientific working group
The Senate bill requires the National Park Service to develop a management plan, but it does not establish a formal role for local stakeholders or outside scientific expertise in developing that
plan. Senator Hoeven modeled this after the Shackleford Banks Wild Horse Protection Act which required the National Park Service to enter a partnership with a local non-profit.  THAT is what makes the legislation work!  Senator Hoeven left that out of S1377. 

A working group should include Park management along with appropriate North Dakota expertise, including veterinarians, wildlife/genetics expertise, Native American and historical
perspectives, Dickinson State University, tourism and community representatives, and limited wild-horse advocacy representation.

The group could assist with issues such as fertility control (which is NOT addressed at all in S1377), genetics, introduction of new horses, population management, historical preservation, and the effect of management decisions on tourism and the surrounding community.

Why it matters: The horses are managed on federal land, but they are also an important North Dakota historical, cultural, and tourism resource. Local knowledge and scientific expertise should have a formal seat at the table.

2. Establish a management range of 150–200 horses
The Senate bill requires a population of “not fewer than 150 horses.”

That creates an important floor, but it does not clearly establish Congress’s intended management range. The current herd is just under 200 horses, including a significant number of older animals that will naturally leave the population in coming years.

If the scientifically appropriate population for maintaining the herd is 150–200 horses, Congress should state that clearly.

Proposed change: Establish a management range of 150–200 horses, rather than simply a minimum of 150.

Why it matters: A defined range protects against unnecessary reduction of the existing herd while still allowing responsible population management.

3. Manage for a “genetically viable” herd
The Senate bill directs the Secretary of the Interior to maintain a “genetically diverse” herd.

Genetic diversity is important, but the long-term objective should be a population capable of remaining healthy and reproducing without unacceptable risks from inbreeding.

Proposed change: Replace or supplement “genetically diverse” with language requiring a genetically viable herd.

Why it matters: The goal should not simply be genetic variation at a particular point in time, but the long-term health and sustainability of this particular herd.

Any introduction of outside horses for genetic purposes should also be scientifically justified and carefully considered as part of the management process.

4. Allow adequate time for the management plan—and require it to stay current
The Senate bill requires the Secretary to develop a management plan within 120 days of enactment.

A meaningful plan should incorporate current science, appropriate public participation, and applicable federal review requirements. The legislation should provide sufficient time to do that work properly and 120 days is not enough time.

It should also require periodic review. The existing horse management framework has remained in place for decades without a comprehensive update.

Proposed change: Provide a realistic deadline for completion of the initial management plan and require formal review and updating at least every 10 years, or sooner when significant new science or management issues warrant reconsideration.

Why it matters: Congress should require not merely that a plan be written, but that it remains scientifically relevant over time.

The Bottom Line

Pass the protections. Strengthen the management.

Senator Hoeven’s legislation establishes the critical principle that wild horses will remain part of Theodore Roosevelt National Park.

These amendments do not change that purpose. They make it more durable by answering four practical questions:

Who helps make the decisions?

What population are we managing toward?

What does a healthy, sustainable herd mean?

How do we make sure the management plan remains current?

As S.1377 moves through the House, we respectfully ask Representative Julie Fedorchak to work toward these targeted improvements so that the final legislation not only protects the presence of the horses, but provides a strong framework for their responsible long-term management.

We hope this helps explain the importance of the amendments we are asking for. In case you missed our Calls to Action – we have listed them below!

We ONLY have until THIS WEDNESDAY (9/16/26) to make a difference. Please take a moment to do them now. You DO NOT have to live in the US to do any of these Calls to Action! Please only sign the petition ONCE but feel free to send as many emails as you like!

Please email Congresswoman Fedorchak: https://secure.everyaction.com/B4aEEYrcU06vk6tzPKO2_Q2

Please email members of the House Natural Resources Committee Subcommittee on Federal Lands: https://secure.everyaction.com/Tg_0crd4L0mYKFCyakNkAg2

Please sign our petition: https://secure.everyaction.com/OMpbBCXE4UyvDhb_IAaoaA2

Please send Letters to the Editor to ND’s newspapers: https://chwha.org/2026/09/11/s1377-call-to-action-4/

Thank you again for your support and have a great weekend!

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