2024 will bring another Wind River Wyoming gather
The events that brought the 2023 Wind River Wild Horse gather together will happen again. It's been paid for and is an ongoing program of the Wyoming Government in 2022 under legislation.
Embedded Files
Bill No.: HB0005 Effective: Immediately
LSO No.: 22LSO-0050
Enrolled Act No.: HEA No. 0045
Chapter No.: 97
Wyoming HB0005, also known as the Wild Horse and Burro Management bill, focuses on how the state deals with wild horses and burros on both federal and non-federal lands. Here's a breakdown of the bill and how it involves Native American tribal governments:
Focus on Costs and Management:
The bill requires notifying federal land management agencies like the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) about the costs incurred by the state due to wild horses grazing on state lands. It essentially requests reimbursement for these costs.
HB0005 allows the state to enforce the removal of wild horses from non-federal lands through a legal writ of mandamus.
The bill opens the door for Wyoming to manage wild horses and burros in cooperation with tribes, federal land management agencies, other states, and even private entities.
Tribal Involvement:
While HB0005 doesn't explicitly mention decision-making power for tribal governments, it lays the groundwork for collaboration. This means Wyoming acknowledges the potential role of tribes in managing wild horses and burros. This could involve:
Joint Management Agreements: Tribes and the state could develop agreements for managing wild horses on lands of shared interest.
Cultural Considerations: Tribal knowledge and cultural perspectives on wild horses could be incorporated into management plans.
Economic Opportunities: Tribes might be involved in eco-tourism initiatives or adoption programs related to wild horses.
Overall, HB0005 opens the door for tribal governments to be included in future discussions and collaborations regarding wild horse and burro management in Wyoming.
Prime Sponsor: Joint Agriculture, State and Public Lands & Water Resources Interim Committee
Catch Title: Wild horse and burro management.
Subject: Management of excess populations of wild horses and burros through multiple means and cooperative undertakings.
Summary/Major Elements:
· This act addresses management of wild, feral and estray horses in three ways:
o Requires the Office of State Lands and Investments to calculate and send notice to federal land management agencies of the costs of wild horse grazing on state lands and to request reimbursement;
o Authorizes enforcement by writ of mandamus or other appropriate action for removal of wild horses from nonfederal lands;
o Authorizes the Governor to enter into cooperative agreements with among state and local agencies and with the United States Bureau of Land Management, the United States Forest Service, the Eastern Shoshone Tribe, the Northern Arapaho Tribe, an official cooperative tribal governing body, adjacent states, nongovernmental organizations or other private entities for state management of wild horses and burros. Cooperative agreements shall address the long term management of wild horse populations that are in excess of high appropriate management levels.
· The act provides an appropriation. The act provides that any revenue generated as a result of general fund expenditures shall be remitted to the state as allowed by law.
Comments:
· Creates a major program: creates a program to invoice the federal government for wild horse grazing on state lands and authorizes the Governor to enter into cooperative management projects.
· Appropriates funds from the general fund to the office of the Governor for state endeavors to manage wild horses in the state, including on the Wind River Indian Reservation, pursuant to cooperative agreements.
· Requires a report not later than October 1, 2022 and again October 1, 2023 from the Governor to the Joint Agriculture, State and Public Lands and Water Resources Interim Committee regarding expenditures, cooperative agreements, and projects made or pursued.
The above summary is not an official publication of the Wyoming Legislature and is not an official statement of legislative intent. While the Legislative Service Office endeavored to provide accurate information in this summary, it should not be relied upon as a comprehensive abstract of the bill.
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