Monthly Archives: April 2014

Research and Written by John Cox, Cascade Mountains

“When action is divorced from consequences, no one is happy with the ultimate outcome. If individuals can take from a common pot regardless of how much they put in it, each person has an incentive to be a free rider, to do as little as possible and take as much as possible because what one fails to take will be taken by someone else. Soon, the pot is empty and will not be refilled — a bad situation even for the earlier takers.”

When we, as research people, start perusing aspects of the Wild Horse Herd counts on Public Lands, and how these same horse herds interact with their environment, we discover rather quickly, two significant situations:

1. The Bureau of Land Management is stuck in a conundrum of lies — the problem being — that this government agency can no longer, or for quite sometime now, tell the truth — as the truth would indeed not set them free, but rather would place into question their last 40 years of lies, committing fraud for large budgets using taxpayer money, and the use of false information to base premier and costly decisions upon, especially when it has got to do with the Wild Horse and Burro Program;

2. The BLM or the DOI will admit that the Wild Horses are indeed native to North America, and if so declared will give them Endangered Species Status immediately, as well as protect them from our own government, to include the DOI and BLM –

FACT: The BLM, Welfare Rancher’s, and the WH&B Program Create Problems

It is not a hidden situation, the ongoing destruction of America’s Public Lands by the Bureau of Land Management, Welfare Rancher’s, and corporations. Their attempts at resolution toward problems very amateurish at best – and obtaining wayward amateur results at best, while our Public Lands and America’s Wildlife is being destroyed. The result below, of obscure decisions based on false information exemplified below:

Mary Ann Simonds, horse herd researcher and observer states, “Conducting interviews with ranchers in Wyoming and discussing wild horse management, led me to produce recommendations to the BLM for the management of wild horses. The local ranchers had been managing the herds for the most part in Wyoming with minimal impact on the culture and behavior of the various herds.  Young bachelor stallions were culled when they came down to the ranches trying to recruit mares. Hence, the herd dynamics allowed for a stable population with long term pair bonding between alpha males and females.”

“Reproductive rates in 1975 in the herds studies were estimated between 4-5 percent. By 1979-80 these same herds, after BLM gate cuts were implemented were estimated at 10 -12 percent. This increase in reproductive rates most likely was due to the fact that stable pairs of alpha females and males had been removed leaving many mares open for recruitment from bachelor stallions previously not allowed into the herd.”

From my previous observations I can concur with her information she has published on her Internet site. More interesting, and concur with her once again, is the facts she states about Grazing and Feed on Public Lands, etc.

Horse Diets – “Between 1973 – 1976, I conducted range and wildlife research on wild horses in Wyoming while receiving my undergraduate degree in Wildlife Biology and a minor in Range Management studying wild equids at the University of Wyoming. My range research on diets of wild horses was used in the original National Academy of Sciences report to Congress and the BLM. However, it was not used accurately as the report stated a “significant overlap” of wild horse diets with cattle diets, when in fact the researched showed out of 14 habitats, only 5 had overlapping species eaten by both horses and cattle,” states Mary Ann Simonds

SCIENCE

The oxymoron combination of Science combined with the Bureau of Land Management is sad but true – BLM has no Range Land Science qualified to make Public Lands decision within an appropriate manner.

“Lack of scientific management of wild horses as an endemic species and the continual efforts to convince the public that horses need to be removed from their native range, has lead to widespread controversy for over 40 years. Blamed for range degradation and over population, wild horses have been the brunt of human manipulation. Had the population of horses been managed according to good behavioral models for wildlife management back in 1972, North America would still have functional, sustainable, and culturally diverse herds of wild horses,” (i.e. National Research Council. Using Science to Improve the BLM Wild Horse and Burro Program: A Way Forward. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press, 2013).

Another list, yes, of inappropriate behavior by the Bureau of Land Management and the Department of the Interior – and both agencies simply ignored these scientists and their outcome, at a cost to taxpayers in excess of a $Million Dollars – Yip, we got tagged with the cost of yet another BLM catastrophy, fellow American’s!

1. Management of free-ranging horses and burros is not based on rigorous population-monitoring procedures. At the time of the committee’s review, most Herd Management Areas did not use inventory methods or statistical tools common to modern wildlife management. Survey methods used to count animals were often inconsistent and poorly documented and did not quantify the uncertainty attached to counts;

2. On the basis of information provided to the committee, the statistics on the national population size cannot be considered scientifically rigorous. The links between BLM’s estimates of the national population size and its actual population surveys – the data that underlie these estimates – are obscure. The procedures used to develop population estimates for the Herd Management Areas from counts of animals are not standardized and frequently not documented. It seems that the national statistics are the product of hundreds of subjective, probably independent judgments and assumptions by range personnel about the proportion of animals counted during surveys, population growth rates, and other factors. As a result BLM’s reported annual population statistics, which are based on the assumption that all animals are detected and counted, probably underestimate the actual number of animals on the range;

3. Management practices are facilitating high rates of population growth. Free-ranging horse populations are growing at high rates because BLM’s removals hold populations below levels affected by food limits. If population density were to increase to the point that there was not enough forage available, it could result in fewer pregnancies and births and lower young-to-female ratios and survival rates. Decreased competition for forage through removals may instead allow population growth, which then drives the need to remove more animals;

4. It is unclear whether or how the results of the WinEquus model are used in management decisions, and the input parameters are not transparent. BLM currently includes the results of WinEquus, a program that simulates how horse populations would change with management actions, in its gather plans and environmental assessments. However, WinEquus results depend on the values of input parameters – for example, age-specific foaling rates or the sex and the age composition of a herd – and various management options selected by the user when setting up the simulations. These parameters were rarely provided in gather plans and environmental assessments. In addition, in most of the reviewed documents, there was no explanation or interpretation of WinEquus output, making it difficult to determine if results were used to make management decisions or were offered as justification for decisions that were made independently;

5. The Wild Horses and Burros Management Handbook lacks specificity. Issued by BLM in 2010, the handbook provides some degree of consistency in goals, allocation of forage, and general habitat considerations. Currently the handbook lacks the specificity needed to adequately guide managers on establishing and adjusting Appropriate Management Levels – the number of horses and burros BLM deems appropriate for a given Herd Management Area . It does not provide sufficient detail on how to conduct various kinds of assessments. In addition, the handbook does not clarify the important legal definitions related to implementing and assessing management strategies for free-ranging horses and burros, leaving these concepts uninformed by science and open to multiple interpretations;

6. How Appropriate Management Levels are established, monitored, and adjusted is not transparent to stakeholders, supported by scientific information, or amenable to adaptation with new information and environmental and social change. Appropriate Management Levels are a focal point of controversy between BLM and the public. Standards for transparency, quality, and equity are needed in establishing these levels, monitoring them, and adjusting them. The public should be able to understand the methods used and how they are implemented, and to access the data used to make decisions. In addition, data and methods used to inform decisions must be scientifically defensible. Appropriate Management Levels must be adaptable based on environmental change, changes in social values, or the discovery of new information:

7. Resolving conflicts with polarized values and opinions regarding land management rests on principles of transparency and public participation in decision making. Participatory decision-making processes foster the development of a shared understanding of the ecosystem, an appreciation for others’ viewpoints, and the development of good working relationships. Thus, BLM should develop an iterative process between public deliberation and scientific research and co-design the participatory process with representatives of the public.

Note: This list referenced from – National Research Council. Using Science to Improve the BLM Wild Horse and Burro Program: A Way Forward. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press, 2013.

CONCLUSION

We find (the taxpayers in America) that the Bureau of Land Management is not suited for, nor has been appropriate managers of our Public Lands. Incompetence and inappropriate behavior (also criminal behavior on numerous occasions) remains more of a mainstay within the BLM, than completed and resolving issues upon our Public Lands.

It is also obvious to many taxpayers, that misinformation, lies, and false Environmental Impact Statements, easy to detect, generates nothing more than animosity toward the BLM and their contractors. Ignoring of a $$$ Million Dollar science study to improve the management criteria of America’s Public Lands, by the BLM, demonstrates beyond all doubt, the arrogance of the BLM staff and employees on a domestic basis!

Our Public Lands is being devastated by such inappropriate management, and it is time for our representatives, our legislators, to discontinue this inappropriate mess the BLM has gotten our Public Lands into currently. Disbanding the BLM, and downsizing the Department of the Interior is first and foremost on many American taxpayer’s mind — as both agencies remain inadequate to manage America’s treasures. . .

“It is an irony that the protesters paid for the Police wages out of their taxes whereas the banksters and big business that have the police protecting their property do not contribute at all. All they have done is bring the country to it’s knees.”

We read a lot these days of Horse Advocate’s versus Rancher’s and the duplicity of arrangement, or in another words that no one wants to step between these two adversaries. Nothing more could be in error than to equate an adversarial situation between the two.

To Side-track a little on “Need to Acknowledge Info” – Keep in mind that Welfare Rancher’s use this situation to equate heritage into their explanation (bullshit) of their necessity (bullshit) and old customs (bullshit) of ranching in America (the reality of this no longer does exist most often, especially with rancher’s who use America’s Public Lands) – truth be known they have nothing to do with any American Heritage, it is simply greed driven by the need to what they assume as what American’s “OWE THEM” rather than, if they would simply compete and work for their money and pay taxes like everyone else!

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[Author’s Sidebar — Example] Well, why scapegoat wild horses? Two “small” Oregon Ranchers qualify for subsidies (actually it is the same as subsistence, same categorical situation as Welfare, thereby the name Welfare Rancher) because they are using Public Lands to graze their cattle —

What you did not know is the following — One of these small ranchers, Welfare Rancher, has only 32 acres of his own land and 836 cattle — this qualifies him to receive $428,975 per year of taxpayer dollars, for nothing else than running his cattle on Public Lands, that he does not have enough room for on his own land — How did he purchase the cattle? Well, with our taxpayer money, subsistence, or what many call categorically – Welfare!

The second example here is similar. This Welfare Rancher receives $397,623 per year of taxpayer dollars — he owns 123 acres of land, and owns 978 cattle, purchased via subsidies, or subsistence money — Welfare Money categorical — for nothing more than not having enough room on his land to run 978 head of cattle — so guess what — Welfare at its ugliest!

But it gets uglier — ya know those Welfare Rancher’s that are complaining that wild horses are in the way of their cattle, they ALL (several thousand Welfare Ranchers at last count) receive the same, if not more than the two above!
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Wholesome competition takes out those incompetent to run a proficient ranch, and maintains a quality in the product, except these subsidized Welfare Rancher’s! There is no place within the commercial markets of today where Welfare Rancher’s can compete. American’s do not need to subsidize this current industry, as they are simply shipping their beef and sheep meat products to Japan and China. This becomes yet another situation of American taxpayers supporting a product shipped to foreign ports, and receive nothing from this particular industry, yet giving them $$$Billions in subsidies!

The receipt’s (which will be mentioned again, and taken from well-referenced GAO studies into the Welfare Ranching Program – or rancher’s who lease America’s Public Lands) only come to less than 1% of the commercial meat industry in America Domestically (i.e. ref- .41% sales domestically within the commercial meat markets).

And American’s support this, via taxpayer money, in the $$$Billions of dollars yearly (i.e. large subsidies, endowments, grants, et al.) through BLM and Agriculture programs – TAXPAYER’S RECEIVE NOTHING – Although Corporations who sublease (Illegal) make tremendous amounts in subsidies as well. . . in the past 19 years, $531.6 Billion dollars worth of support nobody knew, or still, does not know aout, as it is a very corrupt system and process.

Now back to the subject of this article of – Advocate’s versus Rancher’s syndrome — which is untrue and QUITE THE OPPOSITE – Advocate’s Educate America — their reality situation to let people know, educate people in America, as to the behavior of government agencies responsible for our Public Lands, and indeed, how America’s Public Lands are and continue to be treated – IRRESPONSIBLY AND MISMANAGED!

1. Horse Advocates ask directly why the Wild Horse and Burro Act, and Law, on Public Lands and managed by the Bureau of Land Management (i.e. BLM), is not managed by and within the rules the Act and/or Policy itself outline;
2. Horse Advocates demand the BLM as well as those involved in the WH&B Act manage the program within the Federal Laws of the United States of America, and pay attention to these laws while managing and administrating HMA’s (Horse Management Areas) as prescribed by Federal Law;
3. Horse Advocate’s demand the BLM perform, as prescribed by BLM as well as Department of the Interior’s (DOI being the oversight agency of their sub-agency the BLM) Policies and Laws, all rules, regulation, and laws as set forth by Federal Law, policy, and legislative actions;
4. Horse Advocates demand of the BLM and Welfare Rancher’s to set forth appropriate Public Land management principle’s and actions that will not destroy America’s Public Lands, and both the BLM and Welfare Rancher’s refuse to do so, continuously;
5. Horse Advocate’s experience on-site documentation and oversight, and peruse documents and scientific research continuously, and find the BLM not conducting their decisions, both financial and within the Public Lands arena, within an appropriate context using facts as their basis for decision making;
6. Horse Advocate’s watch as BLM adapt their decision making (extremely costly to taxpayer’s in the millions of dollars) with specifically, what Welfare Ranchers DO NOT really need, all the while the same Welfare Rancher’s use intimidating techniques of persuasion and adhere toward coercion while doing so;
7. Horse Advocate’s watch as BLM creates, then passes to the public, erroneous, false, and even copied Environmental Statement’s (EIS, ESA’s) for excuses for the Wild Horse Herd Roundups, and do not conform to several Environmental Impact Law’s in regard to allowing the same roundups off of established and taxpayer paid HMA’s, then charge the same amounts for the management of those HMA’s as if the same amount of Wild Horse’s exist on the HMA’s as previously (i.e. fits every description of fraud in government) – all the time operating under the cloak of non-transparency in regard to finance’s, subsidies to Welfare Ranchers, and grants, and invoice’s. . . “
8. Horse Advocate’s point out that many of the Welfare Ranching and BLM activities on Public Lands is, has been, and remains illegal – well referenced in laws and types of behavior from BLM and Welfare Rancher’s;
9. Horse Advocate’s point out that many of the Welfare Ranching counts of cattle far above the allowed limitations in accord with Federal Laws, EPA Laws, WH&B Act Laws, legislative Laws, and not in accord with HMA rules and regulations – lack of transparency along with Welfare Rancher’s false reporting of counts the cause;
10. Horse Advocates aware of many situations whereas, Public Land is leased under one name, often corporate names, then leased again to other ranching or hunting organizations – which is illegal within much of the regulatory documentation of Public Land Leasing Permits;
11. Horse Advocate’s take action within the Federal Court system, and have won 99% of their cases, due to illegal operations of the BLM, questionable conduct of Welfare Ranchers, false roundup information to conduct unnecessary roundups (both of numerous instances costing taxpayer’s in the millions of dollars per roundup), and often wonder why the Department of Justice Defends, at taxpayer expense, the lies, misinformation, and innuendo of Welfare Rancher’s and BLM personnel and staff;
12. MUCH MORE, THIS INFORMATION SIMPLY THE TIP OF THE ICEBURG!

Criminal Behavior and Welfare Rancher’s – BLM

As well, there exists well documented cases of not only consistent illegal activity on much of the Welfare Rancher’s leased lands and the HMA’s, but criminal behavior in the matters of leasing and re-leasing of water rights, of stealing of Wild Horses, of collusion with other government personnel and sending Wild Horse’s to slaughter, continuous abuse of Wild Horses by BLM personnel and private contractor’s, and Welfare Rancher’s, and other criminal activity not mentioned here due to space requirements.

The following is documented information, outright observed felonies by undercover federal investigator’s, within the BLM and to include their Private Contractor’s and Welfare Rancher’s, early in the 1990’s – but politician’;s also involved so Federal Warrants – Arrests called off the night before being served and arrests completed, due to political interference and coercion.

Listed here are only 10 issues of many more, showing BLM’s documented illegal behavior:

1. BLM Management personnel have authorized the transportation of wild horses to group adopters at the expense of the government;
2. BLM management personnel have authorized the fee waiver and/or fee reduction of wild horses without delegated authority;
3. BLM management failed to inspect and prepare written reports for group adopter facilities and property prior to receiving adopted wild horses;
4. BLM personnel publicly and openly promoted the commercial us of wild horses, i.e., bucking stock and slaughter house;
5. BLM personnel in concurrence with BLM management, entered false information regarding the wild horse documents into BLM DPS-8000 data base;
6. BLM personnel through their government positions, arranged for special privileges and allowances pertaining to wild horse adoptions (i.e. wild horses sent to slaughter);
7. BLM personnel and management knowingly converted to the use of another, wild horses belonging to the United States;
8. BLM personnel and management did knowingly attempt to interfere with an ongoing investigation by discussing privileged information regarding the Investigation with other BLM personnel, some of whom were subjects of the Investigation;
9. Many, many more “lack of document” charges, especially in regard to the Wild Horse Herd Counts and the financial income and expenditures mandatory at each BLM facility, were not completed, lost, or unavailable for confirmation – in order to appropriate funding for each facility;
10. Several more listings expressed concern toward illegal activity, and lack of following directorial and mandated training and compliance of Inspectors, Wranglers, and Field Level Administrators of the Wild Horse and Burro Program.
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There is much more, that much is for sure. . . But the fact here is obvious – Horse Advocates are not in an adversarial situation with Welfare Ranchers. No we are not. We outright state clearly, as American’s and practicing our 1st Amendment Rights, the outright illegal activity that is ongoing and on our Public Lands! We also state clearly, and make it very definitive, the people involved in these illegal activities – who it is and how they do it — and quite costly to taxpayers, both financially as well as our Public Lands being destroyed with much of its other wildlife!

It is time for our government’s legal agencies to take action, as many, many taxpayers are now asking why these situations have gone this far. It is this simple! TIME FOR AMERICAN TAXPAYER’S TO SAY NO MORE WELFARE RANCHING — IT IS UNACCEPTABLE AND IRRESPONSIBLE!