Helicopter use in wild horse roundups hearing Thursday (NV)

The Bureau of Land Management [US] will conduct a public hearing Thursday [15 May 08] to discuss the use of helicopters and motorized vehicles in the management of wild horses and burros on public lands in Nevada.

The hearing will begin at 10 a.m. in the Learning Center at the BLM Nevada State Office, 1340 Financial Blvd., Reno.

The purpose of the hearing is to receive information and public comments on the use of helicopters to inventory horse and burro populations and to gather animals. The hearing will also consider the use of trucks to transport captured wild horses or burros.

Before helicopters or motorized vehicles can be used, a public hearing is required in order to comply with Section 404 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act.

The BLM uses a helicopter to estimate population numbers, obtain seasonal distribution information and gather excess animals from the range. BLM proposes helicopter removals of excess wild horses or burros on about 10 herd management areas or complexes during the coming year.

For more information concerning wild horse or burro management, or to make oral or written statements to present at the hearing, call Susie Stokke at 861-6469 or Heather Emmons at 861-6594.