I 111th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 5482 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES June 8, 2010 Mr. Jones (for himself and Mr. Coble) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources A BILL To direct the Secretary of the Interior to enter into an agreement to provide for management of the free-roaming wild horses in and around the Currituck National Wildlife Refuge.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Corolla Wild Horses Protection Act.

2.

Wild horses in and around the Currituck National Wildlife Refuge

(a)

Agreement required

(1)

In general

The Secretary of the Interior shall enter into an agreement with the Corolla Wild Horse Fund (a nonprofit corporation established under the laws of the State of North Carolina), the County of Currituck, North Carolina, and the State of North Carolina within 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act to provide for management of free-roaming wild horses in and around the Currituck National Wildlife Refuge. (2)

Terms

The agreement shall— (A)allow a herd of not less than 110 free-roaming wild horses in and around such refuge, with a target population of between 120 and 130 free-roaming wild horses; (B)provide for cost-effective management of the horses while ensuring that natural resources within the refuge are not adversely impacted; and (C)provide for introduction of a small number of free-roaming wild horses from the herd at Cape Lookout National Seashore as is necessary to maintain the genetic viability of the herd in and around the Currituck National Wildlife Refuge. (b)

Conditions for excluding wild horses from refuge

The Secretary shall not exclude free-roaming wild horses from any portion of the Currituck National Wildlife Refuge unless— (1)the Secretary finds that the presence of free-roaming wild horses on a portion of the Refuge threatens the survival of an endangered species for which such land is designated as critical habitat under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.); (2)such finding is based on a credible peer-reviewed scientific assessment; and (3)the Secretary provides a period of public notice and comment on that finding. (c)

Requirements for introduction of horses from Cape Lookout National Seashore

During the effective period of the memorandum of understanding between the National Park Service and the Foundation for Shackleford Horses, Inc. (a non-profit corporation organized under the laws of and doing business in the State of North Carolina) signed in 2007, no horse may be removed from Cape Lookout National Seashore for introduction at Currituck National Wildlife Refuge except— (1)with the approval of the Foundation; and (2)consistent with the terms of such memorandum (or any successor agreement) and the Management Plan for the Shackleford Banks Horse Herd signed in January 2006 (or any successor management plan). (d)

No liability created

Nothing in this section shall be construed as creating liability for the United States for any damages caused by the free-roaming wild horses to any person or property located inside or outside the boundaries of the refuge.