Heber Wild Horses Saved
Future AZ Generations Will Enjoy Historic Wild Herd
Lantry, SD -A settlement of appeals was agreed upon between the Forest Service of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest (ASNF) and the International Society for the Protection of Mustangs and Burros (ISPMB) and the TerraWind Ranch Eco-Action Group (TREAC) assuring the future protection of these unique wild horses.
Represented by attorneys Anthony Merrill and Tiffany Andersen of Polsinelli Law Firm in Phoenix, the groups met with the Forest Service in Albuquerque on May 6th to hammer out the resolution of the appeals filed against the Forest Service on December 23, 2015 pertaining to the Land Management Plan for the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests.
The resolution harmonizes the plan with the Wild Free-Roaming Horse and Burro Act of 1971. It removes certain inflammatory language pertaining to the horses and finally it requires the FS to show how the plan will impact the wild horses.
ISPMB’s president, Karen Sussman, said, “This was a well deserved achievement that required the persistence of our wonderful attorneys and the cooperation of the Forest Service with Cal Joyner, Regional Forester, at its helm.” Sussman further added, “This was the right thing to do – it is the law.”
Jill Irvin, Executive Director of TerraWind Ranch Eco-Action Group stated, “These wild horses have a long and rich history and are an integral part of Arizona culture. Their presence in the ASNF adds aesthetic value and contributes tourism dollars to our economy, and they deserve to be recognized and valued as wild life species.”
In 2005, ISPMB and their attorney, Anthony Merrill, successfully obtained an injunction in United States Federal Court for the District of Arizona stopping the Forest Service from “rounding up, removing, or awarding a bid for capture and removal of horses from the ASNF.” The Forest Service was to complete a Territory Management Plan for the Heber Wild Horses.
Attorney Merrill said, “I am pleased that the Forest Service will work with the affected and interested groups and our clients to develop the much needed Wild Horse Territory Plan.”
We hope you will support our efforts as ISPMB continues to WIN for our wild horses.
Arizona’s Wild Burros Under Attack: Please Act Today!
May is Burro Awareness Month and it’s time to take an action to help our wild burros! Nowhere are these amazing and historic animals in more danger than in Arizona, where the State Game and Fish Department is teaming up with some counties to lobby Arizona’s Senators to support burro roundups. Arizona Senators McCain and Flake need to receive a message loud and clear that Americans want our wild burros protected, not cruelly rounded up. Please tell these Senators that the voice of “We The People” should prevail in the management of these iconic animals and the public lands they call home. Please sign our petition today!
Arizona Governor Signs Historic Bill to Protect Salt River Wild Horses
Yesterday was a big day for wild horses in Arizona! At an official ceremony, Governor Doug Ducey signed into law HB 2340 to protect the famed Salt River wild horses of the Tonto National Forest near Phoenix. He stated: “The Salt River horses are beautiful, majestic and a treasure to our state. Since last summer, we have worked to protect them and their ability to roam free…”
Since July 2015, when the U.S. Forest Service announced its intention to round up and dispose of the Salt River wild horses, AWHPC has worked alongside our coalition partner the Salt River Wild Horse Management Group (SRWHMG) to defend this very special herd. Thanks and congratulations go to SRWHMG president Simone Netherlands and all the dedicated volunteers, to Rep. Kelly Townsend, sponsor of the bill, to Governor Ducey for standing by the Salt River wild horses from the beginning, and to the Arizona Congressional delegation for its support in protecting this popular herd. We are especially thankful to all the AWHPC supporters who have given us the funds to deploy the necessary resources to shepherd this bill through its many twists and turns in the legislature.
Now the hard work of developing and implementing a humane management program begins. But for now, it’s time to celebrate victory… The power of the people has again prevailed to save our wild horses!
Bill to Protect Salt River Wild Horses Passes in AZ
We have fantastic news to share!
The bill to protect the famed Salt River wild horses in the Tonto National Forest near Phoenix cleared its last hurdle in the Arizona Legislature this afternoon. On a vote of 53 to 3, the Arizona House of Representatives passed HB 2340, which criminalizes the killing or harassing of a Salt River wild horse. The bill specifies that the horses are not stray livestock, and establishes a process for their humane management through cooperative agreements between federal, state, and local authorities and the community-based Salt River Wild Horse Management Group.
Today was a great day for wild horses in Arizona!
Congratulations to our coalition partner, the Salt River Wild Horse Management Group and its president Simone Netherlands, for their unwavering dedication and tireless work to protect these amazing horses, and to Arizona Representative Kelly Townsend, the bill’s sponsor, for her dedication to the horses and her hard work in getting the legislation passed.
Special thanks to our supporters, who have given us the resources to fight for passage of this bill alongside the Salt River Wild Horse Management Group. Thanks to you, we were able to organize and deploy the necessary resources to work with Rep. Townsend and others to shepherd the bill through its many twists and turns in the legislature. Now onto the Governor’s desk for signature!
With last month’s victory in the U.S. Senate for North Carolina’s historic Corolla mustangs and this win for the Salt River horses in Arizona, it’s turning out to be a great spring for wild horses and those who advocate for them!
Thanks to all who make this work possible…We are making a difference and it feels so good!
Help NV Mustangs & Thank AZ Congresswoman for Pro-Wild Horse Stand!
Weigh in for Humane Wild Horse & Burro Management in Nevada’s Blue Wing Complex
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is seeking public scoping comments in the development of a ten-year management plan for the wild horses and burros in the Blue Wing Complex in northern Nevada. Under pressure from area ranchers, the BLM is likely to develop plans for perpetual roundups and removals of hundreds of wild horses and burros from the public lands in this area — unless they hear from you! Now is the time to weigh in for humane management of our wild horses and burros on our public lands. Please act today!
Arizona Congresswoman Takes a Stand for America’s Wild Horses
As the first American woman to fly in combat, U.S. Congresswoman Martha McSally (R-AZ), a retired Air Force Colonel, is a military hero. And now she is a hero for America’s wild horses as well!. This week, Rep. McSally asked the House Interior Appropriations Subcommittee to incorporate language in the 2017 budget bill that would prevent the BLM from turning over captured wild horses to other federal, state and local agencies for use as “work animals.” Rep. McSally is concerned, as are we, that this will provide a potential backdoor route to slaughter.
When our elected officials take action to protect our wild horses and burros, it’s important to let them know that we appreciate it. Please call Rep. McSally’s office at 202-225-2242 to thank her for acting to protect wild horses and burros from slaughter.
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