[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 14 (Thursday, January 22, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 3345-3346]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-1460]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management
[WY-930-1060-04]


Notice of Public Hearing and Intent to Remove Wild Horses

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

SUMMARY: A public meeting is scheduled for February 25, 1998 at the 
White Mountain Library, Rock Springs, Wyoming. A formal hearing will be 
conducted to receive statements from the public concerning the use of 
helicopters and motor vehicles in wild horse management operations 
within Wyoming for calendar year 1998. Prior to the hearing, planned 
removal operations for the year will be discussed. Periodic removals 
are necessary in order to maintain the populations within the AML 
(Appropriate Management Levels) established through the planning 
process as a result of monitoring and analysis of that data in 
accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act and BLM Policies. 
This document serves as a Notice of Intent to remove excess wild horses 
from the following Herd Management Areas (HMA):

Great Divide Resource Area

    Cyclone Rim HMA--remove 260 horses from an estimated 330. AML is 70 
and this action would reduce the population to AML. Begin approximately 
March 1, end April 10. Decision Record EA WY-037-
EA4-121/122 dated July 11, 1994.
    Stewart Creek HMA--remove 100 horses from an estimated 250. AML is 
150 and this action would reduce the population to AML. Begin 
approximately August 1. Decision

[[Page 3346]]

Record EA WY-037-EA4-121/122 dated July 11, 1994.
    I-80 North (Outside HMA)--remove 100 of 100 horses. This action 
would reduce the herd to 0. Begin March 1, finish April 10. Decision 
Record EA# WY-037-EA1-039 dated February 21, 1992.
    I-80 South (Outside HMA)--remove 275 of 275 horses. This action 
would reduce the herd to 0. Begin approximately August 15, finish 
September 15. Decision Record EA# WY-037-EA1-039 dated February 21, 
1992.

Lander Resource Area

    Dishpan Butte HMA--remove 40 horses from an estimated 90. AML is 75 
with a range of 50-100 and this action would reduce the population to 
the low end of the range. Fall gather date to be selected. Decision 
Record EA WY-036-EA3-013 dated February 25, 1993.
    Conant Creek HMA--remove 40 horses from an estimated 100. AML is 80 
with a range of 60-100 and this action would reduce the population to 
the low end of the range. Fall Gather date to be selected. Decision 
Record EA# WY-036-EA3-013 dated February 25, 1993.
    Crooks Mountain HMA--remove 300 of 400 horses reducing the 
population to approximately 100. AML range is 75 with a range of 65-100 
and herd will be reduced to within this range. Fertility control 
research may be initiated using immunocontraception on selected mares. 
Should this be instituted, an environmental assessment (EA) covering 
this action will be prepared. Begin approximately July 6, finish August 
30. Decision Record EA#'s WY-037-EA4-121 and 122 dated July 11, 1994.

Rock Springs District

    Divide Basin HMA--remove 200 of an estimated 640. AML is 500 with a 
range of 415-600. This action would reduce the population to the lower 
end of the range. Begin approximately July 6, finish August 15. 
Decision Record EA# WY-048-EA3-87 dated May 19, 1993.
    Salt Wells Creek HMA--remove 415 from an estimated population of 
780. AML is 365 and this action would reduce the herd to AML. Fall 
gather date to be selected. Decision Record EA# WY-048-EA3-87 dated May 
19,1993.
    Little Colorado HMA--remove 79 of an estimated population of 156. 
AML is 100 and this action would reduce the herd to 77 horses or 23 
below AML. Fall gather date to be selected. Decision Record EA# WY-048-
EA3-87 dated May 19, 1993.
    Areas Outside HMAs--remove 190 of 190 horses. This action would 
reduce the horses outside HMA's to 0. Begin approximately July 6, 
finish August 15. Decision Record EA# WY-048-EA3-87 dated May 19, 1993.
    Weather conditions and other logistical considerations may dictate 
changes in removal/completion dates. The dates indicated are 
approximate, and removal may take place in any of the HMAs listed above 
during anytime of the year with the exception that gathers will not 
take place between April 16 and July 7, since this is the estimated 
peak of foaling in Wyoming.
    Numbers presented are approximate and will be finalized by aircraft 
census to be conducted during January/February 1998. All actions are in 
conformance with Bureau of Land Management Policy, documents listed 
above, and current monitoring data. Horse populations will not be 
reduced below the lower limit of the AML range. These actions represent 
no new decisions.
    If you have comments on the plans, please contact the Wyoming State 
Director at P.O. Box 1828, Cheyenne, WY 82003-1828.

DATES: February 25, 1998.

ADDRESSES: White Mountain Library, 2935 Sweetwater Dr., Rock Springs, 
WY, 82901-4331.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Al Pierson, State Director, 5353 
Yellowstone, P.O. Box 1828, Cheyenne, WY 82003-1828.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Meeting Agenda:

--Introduction and Opening Remarks
--Review of the Wild Horse Management Plan
--Video presentation of roundup activity
--Public comment period on removal plans
--Formal Hearing on the Use of helicopters in the plan

    The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. and is open to the public. 
Interested persons may make oral statements on the subject of 
helicopter use during the formal hearing. All statements will be 
recorded.

    Dated: January 15, 1998.
Alan R. Pierson,
State Director.
[FR Doc. 98-1460 Filed 1-21-98; 8:45 am]
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