Bill Overview
Title: Wild Horse and Burro Protection Act of 2022
Description: This bill prohibits the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) from using or contracting for the use of helicopters or fixed-wing aircraft for gathering horses and burros under the Wild Free-roaming Horses and Burros Act. Further, BLM may not make contracts to use helicopters for transporting captured animals under such act.
Sponsors: Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1]
Target Audience
Population: People globally concerned with wild horse and burro welfare
Estimated Size: 150000
- The bill aims to protect wild horses and burros from being gathered or transported using helicopters or fixed-wing aircraft.
- The Wild Horse and Burro Protection Act of 1971 pertains to the United States, which outlines that the primary geographic impact is the U.S.
- Estimates suggest millions of horses and burros roam free globally, but the U.S. is a key focus area due to specific legal protections.
- Approximately 80,000 to 90,000 wild horses and burros are under BLM management across the U.S., mainly in Western states like Nevada, Wyoming, and Oregon.
- Indirect stakeholders extend to animal rights activists, local communities, and industries related to land use and livestock management.
- The broader ecosystem and environmental groups are also affected by changes in wild animal population management.
Reasoning
- We focused on individuals who are directly or indirectly impacted by wild horse and burro management practices.
- Our estimation includes a mix of those who are directly involved in advocacy, those living near the affected areas, and those whose livelihoods depend on land-use patterns.
- We also included individuals not directly impacted to provide a complete picture of the general public's perception.
Simulated Interviews
Wildlife Conservationist (Nevada)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I am relieved that this policy is moving forward. Using helicopters for rounding up wild horses is inhumane.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Ranch Owner (Wyoming)
Age: 52 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I understand protecting the horses, but it complicates land management and grazing practices.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Animal Rights Activist (California)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy will save many horses from unnecessary stress and trauma, a victory for animal rights.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Government Employee (Oregon)
Age: 41 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy will require us to adapt current practices. It's beneficial, though, for the animals' welfare.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Environmental Researcher (Utah)
Age: 37 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's essential to balance ecosystem needs with animal welfare. This policy supports that.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Retired (Colorado)
Age: 65 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm glad to see something being done to manage the horses more humanely, but it's complex.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Journalist (New York)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy highlights critical changes in how we manage public lands and wildlife.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Land Management Consultant (Arizona)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The shift away from helicopters necessitates new methodologies, but is better for the animals.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Student (Texas)
Age: 28 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think this represents a progressive step towards improving wild animal welfare.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Horse Breeder (Montana)
Age: 49 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I support the policy as long as it includes responsible management of horse populations.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $150000000 (Low: $130000000, High: $180000000)
Year 2: $160000000 (Low: $140000000, High: $190000000)
Year 3: $170000000 (Low: $150000000, High: $200000000)
Year 5: $180000000 (Low: $160000000, High: $210000000)
Year 10: $200000000 (Low: $180000000, High: $230000000)
Year 100: $300000000 (Low: $270000000, High: $350000000)
Key Considerations
- The policy increases direct handling and management costs due to more labor-intensive methods replacing helicopter use.
- Long-term planning must account for the increased operational complexity with manual or alternative methods instead of aircraft in rugged terrains.
- Savings from reduced aircraft operations will initially be offset by transitional costs involved in operational changes.