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NEPA Number: DOI-BLM-CA-C070-2024-0001-EA
Project Name: Removal of Wild Horses Outside the Montgomery Pass Wild Horse Territory

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Project Information

NEPA Number

DOI-BLM-CA-C070-2024-0001-EA
Project Name

Removal of Wild Horses Outside the Montgomery Pass Wild Horse Territory
Project Type

EA
NEPA Status

Completed - Completed
Lead Office

Bishop Field Office
Last Updated

Project Description

The Mono Lake Ranger District of the Inyo National Forest Service (FS) and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Bishop Field Office are proposing to gather and remove excess wild horses that are located outside the Montgomery Pass Wild Horse Territory (MPWHT), where they are not designated for management. The Inyo National Forest is the lead unit/agency responsible for the management of the MPWHT herd.  The BLM, Bishop Field Office is the lead agency for the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) analysis for this proposed action in cooperation with the Inyo FS. 

The purpose of the Proposed Action is to gather and remove excess wild horses from outside the MPWHT in accordance with the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act (WFRHBA). The need for the Proposed Action is FS and BLM’s responsibility to manage wild horses in accordance with the WFRHBA, address harm to natural resources issues caused by wild horses that reside outside the MPWHT on lands not designated for their management, decrease nuisance animals on private lands, and mitigate public safety concerns along major roadways caused by the presence of wild horses.  

The primary gather techniques would be helicopter-drive trapping and/or water/bait trapping, although roping from horseback could also be used when necessary.  The FS/BLM would determine which method to use on a case-by-case basis following field inspections by agency wild horse managers to identify the accessibility of the animals, local terrain, and vegetative cover, and efficiency.  Multiple temporary trap sites (gather sites), including helicopter drive and water/bait trapping sites, as well as temporary holding sites, would be used to accomplish the goals of the Proposed Action.  When determining gather locations, gather approach techniques would be chosen based on efficiency.  

Wild horses that are gathered would be transported from the gather sites to a temporary holding corral. Temporary holding sites could be in place for up to 45 days depending on length of gather.  All gathered wild horses would be removed and transported to FS or BLM off range corrals (ORCs) where they would be inspected by facility staff (and if needed by a contract veterinarian) to observe health conditions and ensure that the animals are being humanely treated. The gather and removal process will follow formalized standard operating procedures such as the Comprehensive Animal Welfare Program to ensure that the animals are being humanely cared for. Preliminary determination of no historic properties affected (Date: 08/08/2024). Responsibilities under the National Historic Preservation Act for the proposed activity are complete (Date: 03/07/2025).

For further information regarding wild horse management of the MPWHT, please visit the Inyo National Forest website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/inyo/landmanagement/resourcemanagement/?cid=fseprd1145518

What's New

On March 7, 2025, the Bureau of Land Management Bishop Field Office and Inyo National Forest completed their respective Decisions for gathering wild horses that are located outside the Montgomery Pass Wild Horse Territory, in Mono County, California. The BLM’s Decision Record initiates a 30-day appeal period. Those seeking to appeal the BLM’s decision can do so through the Interior Board of Land Appeals. Form 1842-1, Information on Taking Appeals to the Board of Land Appeals, is posted with the Decision Record in the Documents tab.

The Forest Service completed the Pre-decisional Administrative Review process in December 2024. Information on the Inyo National Forest’s Decision Notice can be found on the Projects page or the Pinyon Public page.

Project Location

City	State/Territory	Zip Code	County(ies)
Lee Vining	California	93541	Mono County

Application Information

Program

Wild Horses and Burros
Sub-Program

Gathers

Project Dates

Start Date

11/7/2023
FONSI Date

3/7/2025

Project Office Information

Lead Office

Bishop Field Office
Offices

Bishop FO

Contacts

Contact 1 Name

Sherri Lisius
Contact 1 Email

[email protected]
Contact 1 Phone

(760) 872-5000

Contact 2 Name

Sara Coffman
Contact 2 Email

[email protected]
Contact 2 Phone

(760) 872-5000