Elko ranches seek help from county on wild horses

Thursday, Jan. 14, 1999 | 12:23 p.m.

Commissioners met in special session on Tuesday to discuss the 1999 Nevada legislative session with Sen. Dean Rhoads, R-Tuscarora, and Assemblymen John Carpenter, R-Elko, and John Marvel, R-Battle Mountain, but news of the release of the horses pre-empted the discussion.

Clover Valley rancher Von Sorenson complained that more than 300 horses rounded up for adoption will be released back onto rangelands, the Elko Daily Free Press reported.

"For a number of years now, the BLM has not got the herd down to the AML (Appropriate Management Level)," Sorenson said. "In a gather, they are supposed to gather down below that number to allow for growth to the management level, but they've never even got down to that number."

BLM Elko District Manager Helen Hankins said under a policy changed implemented by officials in Washington, D.C., only animals that are adoptable are to be gathered.

"That means that instead of the 6,700 horses that we need to gather, that limit is now 5,500," Hankins said about national figures.

"The other factor in horse gathering is the budget," Hankins told commissioners. "The BLM budgeted $18 million per year and only 10 percent of that comes to Nevada. I say that because we have 50 percent of the horses."

Hankins said Bob Abbey, BLM state director, was able to secure removal of an additional 100 horses, bringing the number being removed to 720.

"We are very cognizant of our responsibilities under the federal act," Hankins said. "We are doing the best we can within the agency to address your concerns."

Commission Chairman Tony Lesperance said the county would find a solution to the ranchers' complaints.

"I, as chairman, promise you that this county will come to grips with this problem by whatever means it takes," Lesperance told Hankins. "You've been losing ground on this for 25 years, and I don't blame you personally because I understand your hands are tied by the Washington decisions."

Carpenter warned county officials to expect opposition, no matter what action it decides to take.

"This is an emotional issue and it will be very difficult to do what needs to be done," Carpenter said. "If you take them up to Twin Falls and try to sell them, there'll be 10,000 people trying to stop you. But there's no way the BLM will ever get the herds down to the AML because there's not many people who want to adopt an inbred mustang."

The commission was to consider the matter again at its next meeting.

Hankins said the horses should be released back onto the range in about a week. She offered to work with the county in any way allowed by her agency.