Dear Members of Congress:
In 1971, an unprecedented letter-writing campaign moved Congress to unanimously pass the Free-Roaming Wild Horse and Burro Act, declaring that �wild horses and burros are living symbols of the historic and pioneer spirit of the West; that they contribute to the diversity of life forms within the Nation and enrich the lives of the American people.�
Over the past thirty years, the intent of the 1971 Act and the will of the people have been consistently ignored. So my fellow citizens and I are turning to you once again to demand that the Department of the Interior stop wasting our tax dollars on eradicating America�s wild horses from our public lands. The Bureau of Land Management�s current policy of aggressive removal favors private cattle interests over the will of the people; this is unacceptable and un-American.
I respectfully request a congressional investigation and hearing on the issue. Specifically, I support the American Wild Horse Preservation Campaign in its goal to obtain:
- the review of scientific findings that contradict BLM�s claims of wild horse overpopulation and negative impact on the range;
- a moratorium on all round-ups until actual numbers of wild horses and burros on public lands have been independently assessed;
- restoration of the Herd Management Areas designated by the 1971 Act; and
- implementation of in-the-wild management.
America�s wild horses are a reintroduced native wildlife species and an American zoological treasure. I ask you to ensure that they will be allowed to thrive in genetically viable herds for future generations to enjoy on our public lands.
Sincerely,
[Your name]