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NEPA Number: DOI-BLM-ORWA-P040-2025-0002-DNA
Project Name: Murderer’s Creek Herd Management Area Emergency Gather

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Project Information

NEPA Number

DOI-BLM-ORWA-P040-2025-0002-DNA
Project Name

Murderer’s Creek Herd Management Area Emergency Gather
Project Type

DNA
NEPA Status

Completed - Completed
Lead Office

Prineville Central Oregon Field Office
Last Updated

Project Description

Due to the Rail Ridge Fire burning almost 70% of the BLM managed lands in the Herd Management Area, the BLM and U.S. Forest Service propose to gather horses from the Murderer's Creek Joint Management Area and adjacent State and private land using bait and water trapping methods.  The gather is proposed due to the lack of available forage and to allow time for vegetation to recover following the fire and planned seeding and herbicide treatments under the emergency stabilization and burned area rehabilitation program.  Gathered horses would be held at a BLM or Forest Service corral facility while range conditions recover from the Rail Ridge Fire and/or while the agencies continue the administrative process for setting an AML, approving an HMAP and population management actions for the JMA.  No decision is being made at this time regarding the long-term disposition of horses gathered as part of this emergency gather.

What's New

November 15, 2024: BLM Issues Decision Record Approving Emergency Gather

The BLM has issued a Decision Record, Determination of NEPA Adequacy (DNA) and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) approving an emergency gather in the Murderer's Creek Joint Management Area. Gather operations are tentatively scheduled to begin the week of November 25, 2024. Public notification through a News Release as well as a BLM website will be provided once gather operations begin. Appendix A of the Decision Record includes a summary of the substantive comments and questions pertinent to the emergency gather and temporary holding actions that were received during the public comment period along with BLM responses.

The DNA, FONSI and Decision Record can be viewed by clicking on "Documents" in the left margin.

The Final EA and Supporting Documents can be seen on the U.S. Forest Service website at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=44570

October 29, 2024: BLM is Soliciting Public Comments on the Emergency Gather Through November 5, 2024

The BLM has prepared a draft Determination of NEPA Adequacy (DNA) worksheet to document how the existing Final EA (for Appropriate Management Level, Herd Management Area Plan and Population Management Actions for the Murderer's Creek Wild Horse Joint Management Area) adequately considered the environmental effects of the proposed emergency gather and temporary holding action. A draft Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) has also been prepared.

Comment Submission Options:

· Email: [email protected] (Subject: “Emergency Gather”)

· Mail/Hand Delivery: BLM Prineville District Office, 3050 NE Third Street, Prineville, OR 97754

· Online: Submit directly via this website by clicking "Participate Now" in the left margin or on the "Documents" page

Project Location

City	State/Territory	Zip Code	County(ies)
Seneca	Oregon	97873	Grant County

Application Information

Program

Wild Horses and Burros
Sub-Program

Gathers

Project Dates

Start Date

10/1/2024

Project Office Information

Lead Office

Prineville Central Oregon Field Office
Offices

Prineville Central Oregon FO, Prineville DO

Contacts

Contact 1 Name

Christina M Ryan
Contact 1 Email

[email protected]
Contact 1 Phone

(541) 416-6743

Contact 2 Name

Elena Burlet
Contact 2 Email

[email protected]
Contact 2 Phone

(541) 416-6749