Geothermal/Wild Horse and Burro Management

From Open Energy Information

Geothermal Wild Horse and Burro Management

Wild Horse and Burro Management
Present, Potentially Affected

  • DOI-BLM-NV-B020-2011-0026-EA (Clayton Valley Geothermal Exploration Project EA for Drilling and Well Testing)
  • DOI-BLM-NV-W010-2010-0004-EA (New York Canyon Geothermal Exploration Project EA for Exploration Drilling and Well Testing)
  • DOI-BLM-NV-W010–2012–0005–EA (EA for Development Drilling at New York Canyon Geothermal Utilization and Interconnect Project for Geothermal/Power Plant, Geothermal/Transmission, Geothermal/Well Field)
  • NV-020-03-26 (Desert Peak 2 Geothermal Project Environmental Assessment for Geothermal/Power Plant)
  • NV-063-EA06-098 (Reese River Valley Geothermal Exploration Project Environmental Assessment)
  • Transwest Express (Transwest Express Transmission Project Environmental Impact Statement)

The Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act (43 U.S.C. §1901) recognizes that, “wild free-roaming horses and burros are living symbols of the historic and pioneer spirit of the West; that they contribute to the diversity of life forms within the Nation and enrich the lives of the American people…. They shall be protected from capture, branding, harassment, or death; and to accomplish this they are to be considered in the area where presently found, as an integral part of the natural system of the public lands. “ The Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) (43 U.S.C. §1701) has set aside land for wild horse and burro habitat to achieve its “multiple use” clause. Varied federal activity is allowed on public lands to encourage sustainable resource use, recreation or plant and animal inhabitance. FLPMA mandates helicopter and motor vehicle use to capture or transport horses or burros under federal supervision.

The United States Forest Service(USFS) and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) oversee balance assessments, scientific recommendations, habitat restoration, and development projects to carry out herd management and health.

The Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971-Public Law 92-195

Legal Information Institute-16 U.S. Code § 1338a - Transportation of captured animals; procedures and prohibitions applicable

Wild Horse and Burro Management Impacts & Mitigation

Coexisting with horses and burros on a geothermal site can be accomplished with minor mitigation measures to decrease impacts to the site and herd. Typical mitigation includes:

Signage: Place signs along the public roads to caution drivers of wild horse crossing. Thank drivers for their cooperation.

Construction: Determine wild horse and burro trails on site and avoid those paths. Use underground pipeline segments opposed to above ground pipelines to mitigate horse injury and habitat disturbance.

Training: Gather information on horse and burro patterns to inform all employees where herds meet, live, and run through. Highlight that harassment, capture, branding, sale or death of these animals is illegal.