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]
