Tucson, Ariz. – Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva, the ranking member of the House Subcommittee on Public Lands and Environmental Regulation, will tour and hold a press conference on Wednesday, Sept. 4, at the Palomino Valley National Adoption Center to discuss the current state and future of the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Wild Horse and Burro Program.

Under the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971, the BLM is responsible for managing and preserving wild horses and burros around the country. Over the past few decades, BLM has used a number of controversial management techniques to meet herd quotas required by the law. Approximately 39,000 wild horses and burros roam land managed by the BLM and another 40,000 more are held in BLM facilities like Palomino Valley – the largest holding facility managed by the federal government.

The BLM program currently prioritizes roundups over alternatives that reduce the need for expensive stockpiling. More than half of BLM’s wild horse management budget is spent to provide care for animals in long-term holding facilities. 

The National Academy of Sciences (NAS) recently released ‘Using Science to Improve the BLM Wild Horse and Burro Program: A Way Forward,’ which found that federal efforts waste taxpayer money and need major reforms. You can read the full report at http://bit.ly/12t8bta.

“I’ve been asking for changes for years, and NAS has confirmed that we can save taxpayer money and horses’ lives at the same time by improving this program,” Grijalva said. “We have the information we need. Now it’s time to do something with it.”

Congressman Grijalva will be joined by Neda DeMayo, CEO of Return to Freedom American Wild Horse Sanctuary, and Emmy-nominated actress and advocate Wendie Malick. Ahead of the Sept. 9 meeting of the BLM’s Wild Horse and Burro Advisory Board in Washington DC, the speakers will discuss the need to implement the findings of the NAS study and the future of the Restore Our American Mustangs (ROAM) Act.

If You Go

What: Press conference to discuss wild horse and burro management policy and potential Congressional activity

When: Wednesday, Sept. 4 at approximately 2:45 p.m. (Nevada time)

Contact: Clara Ortiz at (520) 622-6788 or clara.ortiz@mail.house.gov

Where: Palomino Valley National Adoption Center (near Reno, NV)

The facility is located approximately 20 miles north of Reno/Sparks. From Interstate 80, take Exit 18 (Pyramid Way/State Road 445) – PVC is north about 20 miles. Turn east on Ironwood Road to reach the facility.