WYOMING STOCK GROWERS ASSOCIATION NEWS RELEASE
“Shaping and Living The Code of The West” P.O. BOX 206, CHEYENNE, WY 82001 • PH: 307.638.3942 • FX: 307.634.1210
EMAIL: [email protected] • WEBSITE: WWW.WYSGA.ORG • BLOG: WWW.REALRANCHERS.COM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 6, 2015
Contact Haley Lockwood at 307.638.3942 or [email protected]
WSGA Files “Friend of the Court” Brief - Will Aide the State Of
Wyoming’s Challenge to BLM’s Wild Horse Management Find this news release online
Cheyenne – Today Wyoming Stock Growers Association (WSGA) filed a “Friend of the Court”
brief in support of the State of Wyoming’s challenge to the BLM’s failure to maintain several
wild horse herds in Wyoming within AML (Approved Management Levels). WSGA, while
supporting the presence of horses within Horse Management Areas so long as they are
maintained at or below AML, cited the impacts of “excess horses” on livestock grazing
permittees.
WSGA reinforced the arguments of the State that removing excess horses is a mandatory action
under the Wild and Free-Roaming Horse and Burro Act, noting that Congress twice amended the
original Act to assure such removals. The Association pointed out that these AML’s had been
established through the applicable Resource Management Plans for Lander, Rawlins, Green
River and Grass Creek.
WSGA further addressed the assertion of the federal government and horse advocacy groups that
the State had not stated a valid claim. The Administrative Procedures Act clearly provides a
cause of action when a federal agency fails to take a discrete action that is required by law. The
removal of excess wild horses is just such an action.
Based on these legal principles WSGA has urged the Court to deny the motions of the BLM and
horse advocacy groups to dismiss the litigation. The brief was prepared and filed by Mountain
States Legal Foundation on behalf of WSGA.
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About the Wyoming Stock Growers Association
Since 1872, the Wyoming Stock Growers Association has served the livestock business and
families of Wyoming by protecting their economic, legislative, regulatory, judicial,
environmental, custom and cultural interests. We promote the role of the cattle industry in
resource stewardship, animal care and the production of high-quality, safe and nutritious
beef. Learn more at www.wysga.org or call 307-638-3942.