Letter from wild horse & burro advocate to BLM

Each person can make a difference.  With Iron County Commissioner’s (in Utah) decision to start an illegal roundup wild horses by private citizens on Thursday, this letter to BLM’s Utah State Director, Juan Palma, and BLM’s Division Chief of the Wild Horse & Burro Program, Joan Guilfoyle, written by wild horse advocate Janet Schultz, asks that the BLM post Federal Marshalls around the HMAs to stop this illegal activity.

“Subject: Utah Controversy

I’m following with interest the story evolving over the Bundy cattle case and the threats of the Utah citizens.  I’m also reading the comments enflaming the population of “ranchers” threatening to roundup wild horses, if the law is followed in removing ther cattle, which have apparently illegally grazed public lands for more than a few years.

It has not escaped my notice that BLM is not threatening these ranchers with arrest by federal marshalls.

This is on its face unequal application of the law against citizens threatening violation of the law by using animals as their excuse.  Armed guards stand post a every wild horse roundup.

I will now demand that armed marshalls be posted at the boundaries of the HMAs presently being focused on with orders to use force to protect the wild horses.  If this action is not taken, charges will be filed with the Inspector General and articles will be filed with the BLM Office of Hearings and Appeals.

Stories of the horses being rounded up and maintained on private property under emergency contracts is ludicrous.  That offer has been made many times by advocates for the protection of the wild horses.  Undertaking that effort on behalf of those who want the horses disposed of is UNEQUAL protection and favoritism.

It will be plain that our government is out of control and a stringent review of its budget and authority will be undertaken.

Janet Schultz”

If you want to write to BLM’s Juan Palma and Joan Guilfoyle, their e-mail addresses are: jpalma@blm.gov and jguilfoy@blm.gov