1、 https:/crsreports.congress.gov Updated July 29, 2021Wild Horse and Burro Management: Overview of CostsBackground The Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971 (the 1971 Act, 16 U.S.C. 1331 et seq.) provides for management and protection of wild horses and burros by the Bureau of Land Manageme
2、nt (BLM, Department of the Interior) and Forest Service (FS, Department of Agriculture). Federal management of wild horses and burros has generated controversy, proposals for change, and lawsuits for years. Issues for Congress include the adequacy of authorities to achieve the “appropriate managemen
3、t level” (AML) on the range, effectiveness of agency management, and sufficiency of funding. Overview of Authority Under the 1971 Act, BLM and FS are to inventory horse and burro populations periodically to determine AMLs. The agencies are authorized to remove animals exceeding the ranges carrying c
4、apacity to achieve AML. When the pertinent Secretary determines that an overpopulation exists and that it is necessary to remove excess animals, the law requires specific actions (16 U.S.C. 1333(b)(2). First, the Secretary “shall order old, sick, or lame animals to be destroyed in the most humane ma