Friday, July 30, 2010

Three Days to Have Our Voices Heard!

NEW EASY INSTRUCTIONS FROM ADOLPH SALAZAR TO SAVE WILD HORSES. 100,000 EMAILS MUST ARRIVE AT BLM BY MONDAY TO SAVE THE WILD HORSES..READ NOW.
http://ourcompass.wordpress.com/2010/07/29/the-pressure-is-working-please-help-the-horses-one-letter-to-one-email-to-blm
The pressure is working, please help the horses! One letter to one email to BLM!
Our Compass; ourcompass.wordpress.com

BLM has created an email address so we can send comments via email once more. The sample letter is courtesy IDA, please use, modify, or send your own, but use the same subject.
Also, here is a petition calling for the resignation of Salazar, the US Sec of the Dept. of the Interior, who is in charge of the BLM;

http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thepetitionsite.com%2F7%2Fcalling-for-the-resignation-salazar-kekennethlee&h=ca2cdHIGRSvLMyk0mv7am2sL05Q


Thursday, July 29, 2010

Commission for the Preservation of Wild Horses

PRESERVATION OF WILD HORSES

NRS 504.430 Definitions. As used in NRS 504.430 to 504.490, inclusive:

1. “Administrator” means the Administrator of the Commission.

2. “Commission” means the Commission for the Preservation of Wild Horses.

3. “Director” means the Director of the State Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

4. “Heil Trust” means the money given to the State by the Estate of Leo Heil for the preservation of wild horses in Nevada.

5. “Wild horse” means a horse, mare or colt which is unbranded and unclaimed and lives on public land.

(Added to NRS by 1985, 1887; A 1991, 910; 1997, 2532)

NRS 504.440 Commission for Preservation of Wild Horses: Creation; membership; terms and compensation of members; meetings.

1. There is hereby created in the State Department of Conservation and Natural Resources the Commission for the Preservation of Wild Horses. The Commission consists of five members appointed by the Governor as follows:

(a) A representative of an organization whose purpose is to preserve wild horses and whose headquarters are in Nevada;

(b) An owner or manager of property used for ranching; and

(c) Three members of the general public who:

(1) Are not engaged in ranching or farming; and

(2) Have not been previously engaged in efforts to protect wild horses.

2. After the initial terms, the members shall serve terms of 3 years. Any vacancy in the membership must be filled for the unexpired term.

3. Each member of the Commission is entitled to receive a salary of not more than $80, as fixed by the Commission, for each day the member is engaged in the business of the Commission.

4. While engaged in the business of the Commission, each member of the Commission is entitled to receive the per diem allowance and travel expenses provided for state officers and employees generally.

5. The Commission shall meet at least quarterly each year and on the call of the Administrator or any two members.

(Added to NRS by 1985, 1887; A 1989, 1717, 1999; 1997, 2533)

NRS 504.450 Heil Trust Fund for Wild Horses.

1. There is hereby created as a trust fund, the Heil Trust Fund for Wild Horses. The Fund is a continuing fund without reversion. All money received from the Heil Trust, and all money from any other source designated for deposit in the Fund, must be deposited in that Fund. The Director shall administer the Fund.

2. The money in the Fund must be invested as other money of the State is invested. All interest earned on the deposit or investment of the money in the Fund must be credited to that Fund.

3. The Director shall authorize the expenditure of the interest and principal of the Fund but the principal of the Fund must not be reduced to less than $900,000, unless the expenditure is approved by the Legislature, if it is in session, or the Interim Finance Committee. Claims against the Fund must be paid as other claims against the State are paid.

4. The expenses of the Commission must be paid from the Fund.

(Added to NRS by 1985, 1887; A 1991, 910; 1997, 2533; 2001, 1114; 2003, 3070)

NRS 504.460 Appointment and duties of Administrator of Commission; prerequisites to filing of certain protests or appeals on behalf of Commission; review by Commission.

1. The Director shall appoint an Administrator who is in the unclassified service of the State and serves at the pleasure of the Director. The Administrator must have substantial knowledge of wild horses and their habitat and an interest in their protection. The Administrator shall appoint any clerical or technical employees necessary to carry out the Administrator’s duties.

2. The Administrator shall:

(a) Carry out the policies of the Commission; and

(b) Act as the recording secretary for the Commission.

3. No written protest, petition for judicial review or appeal of an administrative decision concerning the management of wild horses may be filed in any action or proceeding on behalf of the Commission by the Administrator or any other person unless the filing is approved by the Director and a copy of the filing is provided to:

(a) Each person who is authorized to graze livestock on the public land which is the subject of the filing;

(b) The chair of the board of county commissioners of each county where any part of the public land that is the subject of the filing is located; and

(c) Each member of the Commission.

Ê The Commission shall review the matter concerning the filing at its next meeting.

(Added to NRS by 1985, 1888; A 1997, 2534)

NRS 504.470 Powers and duties of Commission.

1. The primary duties of the Commission are to preserve viable herds of wild horses on public lands designated by the Secretary of the Interior as sanctuaries for the protection of wild horses and burros pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 1333(a), at levels known to achieve a thriving natural ecological balance, within the limitations of the natural resources of those lands and the use of those lands for multiple purposes, and to identify programs for the maintenance of those herds. To carry out these duties, the Commission shall:

(a) Promote the management and protection of wild horses;

(b) Act as liaison between the State, the general public and interested organizations on the issue of the preservation of wild horses;

(c) Advise the Governor on the status of wild horses in Nevada and the activities of the Commission;

(d) Solicit and accept contributions for the Heil Trust Fund for Wild Horses;

(e) Recommend to the Legislature legislation which is consistent with federal law;

(f) Develop, identify, initiate, manage and coordinate projects to study, preserve and manage wild horses and their habitat; (g) Monitor the activities of state and federal agencies, including the military, which affect wild horses;

(h) Participate in programs designed to encourage the protection and management of wild horses;

(i) Develop and manage a plan to educate and inform the public of the activities of the Commission for the Preservation of Wild Horses; (j) Report biennially to the Legislature concerning its programs, objectives and achievements; and

(k) Take any action necessary to fulfill the intent of the Heil Trust.

2. The Commission may:

(a) Grant an award in an amount it considers appropriate for information leading to the conviction of a person who violates federal or state laws concerning wild horses; and
(b) Adopt regulations necessary to carry out the purposes of NRS 504.430 to 504.490, inclusive.

(Added to NRS by 1985, 1888; A 1991, 911; 1997, 2534)

NRS 504.480 Agreements with Federal Government. The Commission may enter into agreements with the Federal Government to:

1. Coordinate research by state and federal agencies concerning wild horses and their habitat.

2. Create a range for wild horses for the study of wild horses and to allow the public to view them in their natural habitat.

3. Finance improvements to benefit wild horses on federal lands.
4. Coordinate efforts to apprehend and prosecute violators of federal and state laws concerning wild horses.
(Added to NRS by 1985, 1889; A 1991, 912)

NRS 504.485 Wildlife agencies required to confer with Commission regarding consultations with Secretary of Interior. The wildlife agencies of this state which consult with the Secretary of the Interior pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 1333(b)(1) regarding wild horses and burros in this state, shall confer with the Commission regarding those consultations and allow the Commission to participate in those consultations to the extent possible.

(Added to NRS by 1991, 910)

NRS 504.490 Unlawful acts; penalty.

1. Any person, not authorized to do so, who:

(a) Removes or attempts to remove a wild horse from the public lands;

(b) Converts a wild horse to private use;

(c) Harasses a wild horse or, except as otherwise provided in subsection 2, kills a wild horse;

(d) Uses an aircraft or a motor vehicle to hunt any wild horse;

(e) Pollutes or causes the pollution of a watering hole on public land to trap, wound, kill or maim a wild horse;

(f) Makes or causes the remains of a wild horse to be made into any commercial product;

(g) Sells a wild horse which strays onto private property; or

(h) Willfully violates a regulation adopted by the Commission for the Preservation of Wild Horses,

Ê is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.

2. A person who willfully and maliciously kills a wild horse is guilty of a category C felony and shall be punished as provided in NRS 193.130.

(Added to NRS by 1985, 1889; A 1999, 2516)

Nev Comission of Wild Horses Broke?




Article; http://www.dcnr.nv.gov/documents/documents/commission-for-the-preservation-of-wild-horses/

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Waiving the $250.00 Filing Fee

Sometimes it pays to be poor / the whole kit and kaboodle is going out in tomorrows mail...we want to know what happened to those 680 horses they gathered out of the Seaman, Golden Gate, White River & Caliente ranges last year.

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


CHRISTINE A JUBIC, APPLICATION TO PROCEED
Plaintiff, WITHOUT PREPAYMENT OF
FEES AND AFFIDAVIT
V.
Case#___________________
KEN SALAZAR, Secretary of
THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,

Defendant.

I, Christine A Jubic, declare that I am the Plaintiff in the above mentioned proceeding; that in support of my request to proceed without prepayment of fees or costs under 28 USC ss 1915 I declare that I am unable to pay the costs of these proceedings and that I am entitled to the relief sought in the complaint.

1. I am not currently incarcerated

2. I am not currently employed.;
(a) The date of my last employment was in 1997 with The Bethman Law Firm at 253 River Rd. Troy, NY 12180
(b) I worked as in independent contractor paralegal and was paid by the job which did not exceeded $1,500 for that year.

3. In the past twelve (12) months I have not received any money from any of the following sources:

a. Business, profession or other self-employment
b. Rent payments, interests or dividends
c. Pensions, annuities or life insurance payments
d. Disability of workers compensation benefits
e. Gifts or Inheritances
f. Any other sources

4. I have no cash, or checking or savings accounts

5. I do not own any real estate, stocks, bonds, securities, or other financial instruments, automobiles, or any other thing of value.

6. There are no other persons dependant upon me for support.

7. Based on my indigent status, I have been granted a fee waiver previously by this Court; see Jubic v. BLM, et. al.; Case # 09-1842, application filed Sept. 28, 2009.

I declare under penalty of perjury that the above information is true and correct.


Dated:_____________________ _____________________________________
Christine A Jubic, Plaintiff, Pro Se
118 River Rd. 1st. Fl.
Johnsonville, NY 12094
(518) 753 - 7791

Great Basin Website Posts Recipe for Horsemeat

Check out this Great Basin website, be sure to see the link for "Nevadians in the New Melininum" - http://www.sierrawave.com/GreatBasin/97spring/horsemeat_recipe.htm

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Jubic v. DOI / FOIA Appeal / UPDATE 8/19/10

Permission GRANTED to Proceed in the Matter as a Poor Person (Filing Fee Waived) and Case assigned to Judge Roberts, Civil Action # 101361
Am Looking Forward to a Hearing Date - Will Post it Here When Known
Update 8/12/10
Received in USDC Clerks Office (Angela D. Caesar) on Aug. 4, 2010 / USPS Tracking # 7004 1350 0001 9564 3185


IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA


CHRISTINE A JUBIC,
118 River Rd.
Johnsonville, NY 12094,
Plaintiff, CASE#____________________

v. Assigned To:________________

Description: FOIA / Privacy Act
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT
OF THE INTERIOR
1849 C St. NW
Washington, DC 20240,
Defendants.


COMPLAINT FOR DECLARATORY AND INJUNCTIVE RELIEF

Plaintiff Christine A Jubic, brings this action against Defendant The United States Department of

the Interior (DOI) to compel compliance with the Freedom of Information Act, 5 USC ss. 552 (“FOIA”). As

grounds therefore, Plaintiff alleges as follows:

JURISDICTION AND VENUE

1. The Court has jurisdiction over this action pursuant to 5 USC ss. 552 (a)(4)(B) and 28 USC ss.

1331.

2. Venue is proper in this district pursuant to 28 USC ss. 1391(e).


PARTIES

3. Plaintiff is a natural-born citizen of the United States currently residing in County of Renssalear,

State of New York.

4. Defendant Department of the Interior is an agency of the United States

whos task it is, among other things, to oversee all operations of the Bureau of Land

Management and is also the agency in charge of FOIA requests and/or appeals

regarding records and record-keeping kept by the BLM .

STATEMENT OF FACTS

5. On October 22, 2009, , Plaintiff sent a FOIA request to the BLM seeking

access to the following records:

(1) The number and location of all the wild horses and burros (if any) that were rounded up in the summer and fall gathers of 2009 of the Golden Gate, Seaman, White River and Caliente Herds

(2) The names and locations of all long and short term holding facilities where these particular herd-members are being kept, and whether said facilities are owned by the BLM or are leased under private contract

(3) The herd-members brand numbers along with descriptions or photographs or any other information that would identify the individual horses or burros removed from the above mentioned range lands
(See FOIA Request Dated 10/22/09, attached as Ex. ______)

6. On November 6, 2009, I did receive acknowledgement that my request had been

received by the Department of the Interior (DOI), and also informing me that my

request was being forwarded to the BLM.

(See Letter from the DOI dated 11/06/09, attached as Ex.______)

7. On November 16, 2009 I did receive a reply from BLM Ely District Office informing

me that “it was determined” that they do not have the information I requested, and

further informing me that my request was being forwarded to Arthur A. DiGrazia, Jr.,

Wild Horse & Burro Operations Manager of the Ridgecrest Regional Wild Horse and

Burro Corrals in Ridgecrest California.

(See Letter from BLM Ely Dated 11/16/09, attached as Ex._______)

8. On or about the 20th of November, 2009, I did receive a letter from a Hector

Villalobos, Field Manager of the Ridgecrest Holding Facility, dated November 6, 2009
who informs me that “to his knowledge” that “all wild horses gathered during the 2009

season were transported to this facility and no other.” Additionally, Mr. Villalobos

informs me also that the facility has only processed “15 Wild horses to date.“

(See Villalobos / Ridgecrest letter dated 11/06/09, attached as Ex.________)

9. In addition to the barebones allegations contained in Mr Villalobos’s Nov. 6, 2009
letter, he did provide me with two “generic” unsigned documents not printed on

any official letter-head;

(1) Document 1 indicated that a total of 689 horses had been gathered from the

Golden Gate, Seaman, White River and Caliente Herd Areas, (See Doc. 1, attached as

Ex._____(a))

(2) Document 2 indicated a series of 15 numbers alleged to represent the 15 horses

that were allegedly processed at Ridgecrest Facility (See Doc. 2, attached as

Ex._______(b))

10. On November 23, 2009, I did appeal the response to my FOIA request by Mr.

Villalobos as a partial denial of same, and submitted said appeal to Department of

the Interior, and did so on the grounds:

The information so provided to me by Mr. Villalobos is insufficient as does not give any information as to the descriptions, brand numbers, processing records, etc., nor does it give any information as to the whereabouts of the 689 horses alleged to have been received and/or processed by Ridgecrest Facility. Since the whole purpose of my submitting the FOIA request was to ascertain the whereabouts of these horses, the response of Mr. Villalobos can be seen as wholly inadequate and insufficient to ascertain same.

(See Appeal dated Nov. 23, 2009, attached as Ex._________)

11. On June 17, 2010, I did receive notice from the Defendant DOI that my appeal

(No. 2010-068)

was received and was currently under review. Also, the letter admitted that the

Department “has not responded to your appeal within the time limits proscribed by 5

USC ss. 552(a)(6)(A)(ii)” and informing me also of my right to seek judicial review

under 5 USC ss. 552(a)(4)(B).

(See DOI Letter dated June 17, 2010, attached as Ex._________)


COUNT 1
(Violation of FOIA)

12. Plaintiff incorporates paragraphs 1 through 11 (A) as if fully stated herein.

13. Defendant DOI has violated FOIA by failing to reply to my appeal within the

twenty (20) day time period required by 5 USC ss. 552(a)(6)(A)(I) or otherwise deny

the existence of such records or assert such records are exempt from production

under 5 USC ss. 552(b).

WHEREFORE, Plaintiff respectfully requests that the Court: (1) Declare Defendants

failure to comply with the FOIA to be unlawful; (2) Order Defendant to search for

and produce by a date certain any and all non-exempt records responsive to

Plaintiffs FOIA requests and a Vaughn index of responsive records subject to a claim

of exemption; (3) enjoin Defendant from continuing to withhold any and all non-

exempt records responsive to Plaintiffs FOIA requests; and (4) grant Plaintiff any

such other and further relief that the Court may deem just and proper.


Dated:________________________ Respectfully Submitted,

_____________________________________
Christine A. Jubic, Plaintiff Pro Se
118 River Rd. 1st Fl.
Johnsonville, NY 12094
(518) 753-7791

Sample Copy to Sue DOI Over Failure to Reply to FOIA Request

Hello
http://www.judicialwatch.org/archive/2007/landcomplaint.pdf

FOX Sues Gov for Failure to Reply to FOIA Request

What we need to do over the DOIs failure to reply to the ELY FOIA. Any volunteers? I will help you and submit it in my name;

http://www.foxbusiness.com/story/markets/fox-business-sues-treasury-failure-respond-freedom-information-act-requests/
I am looking for a sample copy for the form to use when sueing for FOIA violations.

Monday, July 26, 2010

File a Complaint with Nevada State Engineers Concerning BLMs Failure to Provide Water for Wild Horses (and Burros)

You can do it all online;

Who Owns Nevadas Waters?

Searchable Database; http://water.nv.gov/


Up Reno way, apparently Barron Hilton does




http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barron_Hilton

Owner of the Flying M Ranch;




Application Status Cert Owner
11489 CER 4827 HILTON HOTELS CORP.
14568 CAN HILTON, BARRON
14569 CAN HILTON, MARILYN JUNE
14570 CAN HILTON, MARILYN JUNE
16915 WDR HILTON, BARRON
16925 CER 5211 HILTON, BARRON
16926 CER 5212 HILTON, BARRON
16927 CER 5213 HILTON, BARRON
16928 CER 5214 HILTON, BARRON
17373 CER 5936 HILTON, BARRON
17444 CER 8138 HILTON, BARRON
17445 CER 7152 HILTON, BARRON
19210 CAN HILTON, BARRON
20655 CER 6120 HILTON, BARRON
20656 CER 6148 HILTON, BARRON
20657 CER 6147 HILTON, BARRON
207.5DTR DEC HILTON HOTELS CORP.
207DTR DEC HILTON HOTELS CORPORATION
265.5DTR DEC HILTON HOTELS CORP.
27251 CAN CHILTON, KATHRYN W.
30438 ABR HILTON, BARRON
31061 CAN HILTON, BARRON
31869 ABR HILTON, BARRON
32624 DEN CHILTON, JACK E.
32626 DEN CHILTON, JOAN M.
37028 ABR 10568 CHILTON, MICHAEL J.
37030 ABR 10570 CHILTON, MICHAEL J.
37034 ABR 10573 CHILTON, MICHAEL J.
45471 WDR HILTON, BARRON
45513 CER 12888 HILTON, BARRON
46245 CER 11204 HILTON, BARRON
47649 CER 12410 HILTON, BARRON
47650 CER 12669 HILTON, BARRON
48165 CER 12893 HILTON, BARRON
52421A02 CER 14630 WARD W. CHILTON
55259 WDR HILTON HOTELS CORP.
55471 RVP CHILTON, GARY L. & KAREN
55705 RVP CHILTON, GARY
57264 WDR HILTON, BARRON
57265 PER HILTON, BARRON
58649 WDR HILTON HOTELS CORPORATION
63420 PER RENO HILTON RESORT CORP.
64368 PER HILTON HOTEL CORPORATION
689DTR DEC MARIAM AND WARD CHILTON FAMILY TRUST, DATED JUNE 28, 2002
69450 ABR CHILTON, MICHAEL J.
69451 ABR CHILTON, MICHAEL J.
69452 ABR CHILTON, MICHAEL J.
73236 PER MARIAM & WARD CHILTON FAMILY TRUST
76539 PER WARD W. CHILTON
77235 RFP CHILTON ENGINEERING AND SURVEYING, LTD.
8465 CER 2302 HILTON, BARRON
8466 CER 2303 HILTON, BARRON
V03579 VST HILTON, BARRON
V03580 VST HILTON, BARRON
V03581 VST HILTON, BARRON
V03582 VST HILTON, BARRON
V03583 VST HILTON, BARRON
V03584 VST HILTON, BARRON
V03585 VST HILTON, BARRON
V03586 VST HILTON, BARRON
V03587 VST HILTON, BARRON
V03588 VST HILTON, BARRON
V03589 VST HILTON, BARRON
V03590 VST HILTON, BARRON
V03591 VST HILTON, BARRON
V03592 VST HILTON, BARRON
V03593 VST HILTON, BARRON
V03594 VST HILTON, BARRON
V03595 VST HILTON, BARRON
V03596 VST HILTON, BARRON
V03597 VST HILTON, BARRON
V03598 VST HILTON, BARRON
V03599 VST HILTON, BARRON
V03600 VST HILTON, BARRON
V03601 VST HILTON, BARRON
V03602 VST HILTON, BARRON
V03603 VST HILTON, BARRON
V03604 VST HILTON, BARRON
V03605 VST HILTON, BARRON
V03606 VST HILTON, BARRON
V03607 VST HILTON, BARRON
V03608 VST HILTON, BARRON
V03609 VST HILTON, BARRON
V03610 VST HILTON, BARRON
V03611 VST HILTON, BARRON
V03612 VST HILTON, BARRON
V03613 VST HILTON, BARRON
V03614 VST HILTON, BARRON
V03615 VST HILTON, BARRON
V03616 VST HILTON, BARRON
V03617 VST HILTON, BARRON
V03618 VST HILTON, BARRON
V03619 VST HILTON, BARRON AND MARILYN JUNE
V03620 VST HILTON, BARRON
V03621 VST HILTON, BARRON
V03622 VST HILTON, BARRON
V03623 VST HILTON, BARRON
V03624 VST HILTON, BARRON AND MARILYN JUNE
V03625 VST HILTON, BARRON AND MARILYN JUNE
V03626 VST HILTON, BARRON AND MARILYN JUNE
V03627 VST HILTON, BARRON AND MARILYN JUNE
V03628 VST HILTON, BARRON
V03629 VST HILTON, BARRON
V03630 VST HILTON, BARRON
V03631 VST HILTON, BARRON
V03632 VST HILTON, BARRON
V03633 VST HILTON, BARRON
V03634 VST HILTON, BARRON
V03635 VST HILTON, BARRON
V03636 VST HILTON, BARRON
V03637 VST HILTON, BARRON
V03638 VST HILTON, BARRON
V03639 VST HILTON, BARRON
V03640 VST HILTON, BARRON
V03641 VST HILTON, BARRON
V03642 VST HILTON, BARRON
V03643 VST HILTON, BARRON
V03644 VST HILTON, BARRON
V03645 VST HILTON, BARRON
V03655 VST HILTON, BARRON

Saturday, July 24, 2010

Clearing Up the Cloudiness: Water Rights on Public Lands

The Courts have determined that the States have the authority to allocate the rights to unappropriated waters on the National System of Public Lands. The Public Lands Foundation (PLF) advocates public ownership of the rights to waters on public lands to ensure that the water will remain on the land for livestock, wildlife and the other multiple uses that occur within the National System of Public Lands. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) should actively pursue a program of acquiring the rights to waters on public lands by filing applications with the appropriate state water agencies, and through negotiations with the holders of existing water rights on the National Public Lands.

Continued;
http://www.publicland.org/14_position_statements/PLF_2010_05_water_rights_nspl.html

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Who Are the Welfare / Rolex Ranchers?

Hewlett Packard, Annheiser Busch, & Frito Lay Corp, Del Web, Hiltin, can anybody help me out? I would like to get a list of them so I could have them all in one place so I can blast it around....just "The Rolex Ranchers" please. Never mind the small fries,...(pass the ketchip pleeze)



Paul Rogers of the 'San Jose Mercury News ("Cash Cows" page 2S, column 2 Nov. 7, 1999)' (Original source: Forest Guardians) performed nine months of research that included studying 26,000 leases. Mr. Rogers’ research revealed that 10% of the total grazing leases are held by lessees that control 65% of the total public land. Furthermore, these lessees include billionaire ranchers and corporations such as Ted Turner, Baron Hilton, Mary Hewlett-Jaffey, JR Simplot, Annheiser-Busch, and the Hunt Oil Company of Dallas. The Public Lands Ranching Organization reports that the federal grazing program operates at a loss, costing taxpayers at least $500,000,000 annually. This figure includes direct program costs and millions of dollars spent on emergency feed, drought and flood relief, and predator control to support or mitigate damage from public lands grazing.

There is a petition going around in support of ending the welfare ranching program. If anybody has it, I would appreciate if you would pass it along to me so I can post it here. Thanks.

Recommended reading: "Welfare Ranching, The Subsidized Destruction of the American West," - http://www.publiclandsranching.org/book.htm

Sunday, July 18, 2010

BLMs New Wild Horse and Burro Mis-Management Plan Handbook


And comments from a real expert;

Pat Fazio's email to BLM on new handbook


Pat gave us permission to share her email to the BLM.

----------------


Dear Mike (BLM)

Where was the public input on this just-released BLM policy handbook? ... BLM Issues New Policy Handbook on Wild Horse and Burro Management

I thought we had until August 3, 2010 for making online comments. I see many deeply troubling new policies, including releasing gelded stallions back onto existing HMA's with intact stallions, mixing herds, and freeze-branding mares that have been vaccinated with native PZP and PZP-22. Since when did the FDA require freeze-branding of in-the-wild mares? Why not microchipping or another form of inconspicuous ID? This is ranching wild horses, with no respect for natural social organizational patterns and genetic integrity within herds. I have been waiting for enlightened in-the-wild management, not mass manipulation, with no regard for reversible fertility control or wild behavior. Wild horses have been mismanaged for decades, allowed to breed, without control, while safe and effective fertility vaccine sat on the shelf... It was simply too much trouble to take the contraceptive route than to gather (often under adverse, even lethal, conditions) and to hold, at far higher cost to the American taxpayer. Various inhumane methodologies employed by the BLM during the past 29 years make me cringe. They should make everyone uncomfortable, but apparently not. A little pre-planning for strategic water development and fertility control, for example, might have prevented the on-going and tragic Elko District gathers.

I have not read this entire policy handbook yet. I am almost afraid to read the rest... Why should the public bother submitting comments, when policies are already in place? The Website section for public comments has been out of order for weeks, now. Is this the way environmental conflict resolution is carried out... with a BLM bulldozer... and the public be damned?

Not that anyone gives a hoot, but my patience is flat-out gone, on many fronts. However, I'm still here, and I intend to use this fury to take my discontent to a higher level. The Elko (Tuscarora) gather was the final straw, or so I thought... and now this.

I ask the BLM to retract this document. It violates NEPA, in my non-lawyer's view, pre-empts many rational provisions that the ROAM Act would have introduced, and disrespects the scientifically established endemic status of wild horses in North America. Are we to have a few "Treasured Herds," and throw the rest away as pests and nuisances on federal lands? The BLM should politely excuse itself from the Wild Horse and Burro Program. It does not have the capacity to understand, empathize, or care. When the U.S. Grazing Service was combined with the General Land Office in 1946 to form the Bureau of Land Management, we put wild horses and burros into the hands of their historical enemies. Does this make any sense to you?

Please see the PZP fertility control section below.

Pat

Patricia M. Fazio, Ph.D., Statewide Coordinator
WYOMING WILD HORSE COALITION



This is the fertiltiy section she is referencing:



H-4700-1 WILD HORSES AND BURROS MANAGEMENT HANDBOOK (Public)

4.5.3 Reduce Population Growth Rates


During gather or herd management area planning, the authorized officer should consider a range of alternatives to reduce population growth rates and extend the gather cycle for all wild horse herds with annual growth rates greater than or equal to 5 percent. Alternatives may include but are not limited to: use of fertility control, adjustments in the sex ratio in favor of males, a combination of fertility control and sex ratio adjustment, and management of selected HMAs for non-reproducing wild horses. Additional management alternatives (tools) may be considered in the future, pending further research (see Chapter 8).

4.5.3.1 Use of Fertility Control as a Tool to Slow Population Growth Rates

a. Use of Porcine Zona Pellucida (PZP). There are two forms of the conventional PZP agent:

¨ The 1-year agent, delivered as a liquid primer injection and follow-up booster one month later; additional boosters must be injected annually by hand or by darting to continue treatment.

¨ The 22-month agent that includes the same primer shot as the one-year agent as well as a second injection of three time-release pellets (1-, 3- and 12-month pellets) to booster the vaccine over a 12-month period of time.

Foaling rates of 6 percent in Year One, 14 percent in Year Two and 32 percent in Year Three following treatment compared with 54 percent foaling in untreated controls have been reported for PZP-22 (Turner, 2007). Maximum effectiveness is not achieved unless mares are treated during a 3-4 month window prior to foaling. Research has shown that the best time to apply PZP is during the winter gather season (i.e., November-February).

The use of PZP, under an investigational exemption held by the Humane Society of the United States, requires treated mares to be physically marked (freeze branded) or readily identifiable in order to be compliant with FDA requirements. Application is limited to individuals specifically trained to handle, mix, and administer the product. Post-treatment monitoring in accordance with the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) is required.

As part of an appropriate environmental analysis, the authorized officer will analyze the use of the 22-month PZP vaccine in all wild horse herds, particularly those where: (1) the annual herd growth rate is greater than 5 percent and (2) the post-gather herd size is 50 animals or greater. Fertility control will be most effective when treatment of 50-90 percent of all breeding-age mares within the herd is possible using application in conjunction with gathers or remote delivery (darting). Our current understanding is that to maximize treatment effects, at least 90 percent of all mares should be treated.

H-4700-1 WILD HORSES AND BURROS MANAGEMENT HANDBOOK (Public)

The authorized officer should apply the 22-month PZP vaccine to all release mares when the NEPA analysis supports its use. In herds where sex ratio adjustments are made, fertility control may be implemented in combination with sex ratio adjustments to further reduce population growth rates.

b. Increased Use of PZP. One option to slow population growth rates (and reduce the number of excess wild horses removed) would be to gather selected HMAs and apply PZP-22 every 2 years. Because PZP does not totally eliminate reproduction, some excess horses may need to be removed from treated herds over time. Implementation should generally be limited to HMAs that have had high gather efficiencies (i.e., a high percentage of the actual population is captured). Because 70-90 percent of the breeding-age mares may need to be treated to effectively reduce population growth rates, 80-100 percent of the actual population may need to be captured.

c. Remote Application of PZP. Remote application of the 1-year formulation of PZP is problematic, as it is very difficult to approach most wild horses closely enough to allow darting (i.e., follow-up treatment). Remote application of PZP-22 is not possible at the present time since the pellets must be administered by hand injection.

Remote application of the 1-year PZP agent may be considered for herds where individual horses can be identified (consistent with FDA requirements) and are approachable. Remote application is limited to individuals specifically trained to administer the product by darting.



Friday, July 16, 2010

Partial Victory in the Tuscarora Ruling

Judge Hicks issued a partial ruling - 1 of 3 Tuscarora area roundups will go forward tomorrow, due to the lack of water for the horses.
not all bad news - this is really positive: The judge ruled plaintiff Laura Leigh's 1st amendment rights were violated by banning the public so she will be there documenting on our behalf.
Prayers for the Owyhee wild ones tomorrow. thanks for hanging in there with all the emails this week. Cheers, Susan
more from vicki at EWA:
Jeez, I had to run out for a few hours and it hit the fan - LOL!

The choppers will fly tomorrow but Laura won the 1st amendment argument and will be allowed to observe. Please note, the BLM will be allowed to round-up only the horses in Owyhee.

Additional arguments will be heard on Monday for the other two herd areas involved.

Please visit RTs blog for an audio soundbite.

http://rtfitch.wordpress.com/


You can read more at Animal Law Coalition including a copy of the order.

http://www.animallawcoalition.com/wild-horses-and-burros/article/1394

BLMs Plans to Zero Out West Douglas Herds Despite Past Warning from Judge

Thursday, July 8, 2010

BLM Pushing Forward with Deadly Round-Up (Killing) Plan

Media Contacts:

Makendra Silverman
Makendra@TheCloudFoundation.org
Tel: 719-351-8187

Anne Novak
Anne@TheCloudFoundation.org
Tel: 415-531-8454

For Immediate Release
BLM Helicopter Roundup To Begin Despite Presence of Vulnerable Young Foals
BLM starts dangerous roundup, violating their own protocol designed to protect wild horse babies

Elko, NV (July 8, 2010)- Over 1,400 federally-protected wild mustangs are to be rounded up beginning tomorrow, July 9, in the Tuscarora area of Elko County Nevada during the hottest month of the year. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is violating their own set-protocol for waiting six weeks after the main foaling season, defined as March 1-June 30, so that young foals can escape the inherent danger of a high-heat summer roundup. BLM will dispatch privately contracted choppers to run the Tuscarora mustangs over miles of rugged terrain in a taxpayer-funded roundup expected to last three weeks and result in the removal of some 1,100 mustangs. Only last month, Oregon BLM wild horse managers postponed a planned roundup that would have started the day after foaling season-opting to begin instead in mid-August for the horses' safety.

"If allowed to go forward this will be a massacre," states Anne-Marie Pinter who rode the Pony Express Race through the area on her Spanish Mustang and saw small foals. "It is covered with razor-sharp, volcanic rock that will rip up the feet of these poor foals. Before riding the area, our event veterinarian strongly recommended that we put thick rubber boots over the metal shoes of our horses-the rocks are that treacherous. We experienced triple digit temperatures and had to constantly work at keeping our horses hydrated. I can't even imagine the toll on terrified small foals and even the adult animals at the hottest time of the year. This amounts to horrible animal cruelty and no one will know what is going on because BLM has closed the area, even the roads."

Last winter, during the deadliest BLM roundup in memory in the Calico Mountains of Northwestern Nevada, at least two 6-9 month foals suffered a horrible death. Their hooves literally separated from their leg bones after running over similar terrain. Yet, BLM justified the dead-of-winter roundup by stating in their Environment Assessment: "Fall and winter time-frames are much less stressful to foals than summer gathers. Not only are young foals in summer months more prone to dehydration and complications from heat stress, the handling, sorting and transport is a stress to the young animals and increases the chance for them to be rejected by their mothers. By gathering wild horses during the winter, stress associated with summer gathers can be avoided."

"Let's be honest. What is driving these roundups has very little to do with concern for vulnerable foals and everything to do with contractor availability and using up taxpayer money before the end of fiscal year 2010," states Cloud Foundation Director, Ginger Kathrens, who has spent over 16 years documenting the lives of wild horse families. "With only two helicopter contractors available to round up the horses, scheduling becomes tricky, especially when the goal is the removal of 6,000 wild horses before the end of September. So, the rush to rid the land of mustangs trumps humane treatment. Disgusting."

The Cloud Foundation is asking that humane observers and the public be allowed to document the roundup and any injuries and deaths which occur. Currently BLM has arranged for a near total lockdown of roundup activities, including a widespread closure of public roads around the area. Access will be extremely limited despite promises made by top BLM officials to the contrary.

"Having a 'media day' during the operation is certainly not the same as having humane observers on site at all times during the operation," says Elyse Gardner, who has documented the Pryor and Calico roundups. "A sanitized version of BLM activities is not transparency in dealing with the public's horses. If anything, rather than transparency, BLM is closing the door on public observation because of what our cameras have already revealed about these roundups."

If allowed to proceed, the Tuscarora roundup will decimate three herds, Owyhee, Little Humboldt and Rock Creek, living in a vast 455,000-acre area about 90 miles northwest of Elko, Nevada. Over 4,000 cattle are allowed to graze on the Tuscarora designated wild horse herd management area while only 337-561 mustangs are welcome. In 1990 the Government Accountability Office (GAO) Report underscored that wild horse removals did not significantly improve range conditions and pointed to cattle as the culprit for public lands damage. Despite GAO noting the lack of data provided by BLM back 20 years ago, the public has seen no improvement in the piecemeal management of an agency that favors welfare cattle over legally protected mustangs and burros. Herd areas containing 10 to 30 times more livestock than horses are the norm rather than the exception.

"Damage to livestock fences is cited as a reason to remove the horses in Tuscarora. Give me a break," states Craig Downer, wildlife ecologist, former BLM employee, and 3rd generation Nevadan. "How about removing the fences, reducing the number of cattle and starting to manage wild horses as principal members of their ecosystems, as well as celebrated symbols of the American West? BLM's habit of operating behind a veil of enforced secrecy is completely unacceptable."

The Cloud Foundation opposes the further manipulation of the Tuscarora mustangs through the use of experimental infertility drugs in combination with skewed sex ratios. The result will be increased turmoil among the highly social wild horse family bands. Given the disastrous management and the lack of accurate range censuses and the presence of over 37,000 wild horses in government holding at enormous taxpayer expense, advocates continue to call for an immediate freeze on the costly roundups. Congressional hearings are needed to discuss the shortcomings of an out-of-control program that threaten the future existence of wild horses and burros on lands set aside for their use.

"BLM has responded with its classic bunker mentality, abandoning any transparency efforts and placing at risk the lives of these small foals that have never even had a chance at life with their families," states Kathrens. "We pray that BLM will show some compassion and ground the helicopters. With all the uncontrollable disasters in the world, why is BLM determined to create one in Tuscarora?"

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

SOS for "Estray" Wild Horses

July 7, 2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contacts:

Valerie James-Patton
Equine Welfare Alliance
530-474-1128
valerie_jamespatton@yahoo.com

Laura Allen
Animal Law Coalition and Equine Welfare Alliance, general counsel
607.220.8938
lauraallen@animallawcoalition.com


Doubt Cast On Pilot Valley "Estray" Horses Rounded-Up By BLM

CHICAGO, (EWA) - On June 23, 2010, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Elko District office buried on its website a notice that approximately 175 "abandoned, domestic, estray" horses located within Pilot Valley, NV, were scheduled for impoundment beginning June 25. The round up was expected to take 3 - 4 days with corrals set up on nearby private land owned by Simplot Land and Livestock until the horses could be transported and placed under the jurisdiction of the State of Nevada.

According to Nevada laws, an estray is a horse that is found running loose on public lands but shows signs of domestication and the owner is unknown. A horse is considered "feral" under Nevada law if the animal was domesticated or is the offspring of domesticated horses and has become wild with no physical signs of domestication. The state of Nevada owns estray and feral horses. Wild horses and free-roaming Mustangs are protected by the BLM under the 1971 Wild Free Roaming Horses and Burros Act.

Nevada authorities plan to sell the horses rounded up by the BLM at auction on July 10. The horses will be available to all buyers and are therefore at risk of ending up at slaughterhouses in Mexico or Canada.

But serious questions are being raised as to whether these horses are, in fact, estray or feral. After investigating the history and location of the Pilot Valley area, wild horse advocates found Pilot Valley sits at the edge of a known wild horse territory called the Toano Wild Horse Herd Area. BLM wanted to make this area "horse free" in 1993, but according to BLM's Program statistics, approximately 168 wild horses were reported as still residing in the Toano range as of last year.

The proximity and near identical number of horses has lead mustang advocates to speculate that the horses the BLM rounded up as estray might actually be wild horses from the Toano range that are entitled to roam free under federal protection. How, they ask, does BLM know these horses are estray or feral and not wild horses?

Suspicions are further fueled by the unusual suddenness of the roundup, just 48 hours after notice of the removal was posted. "These horses will go from free roaming to sold in fifteen days or less with tight security at the facilities where they are now being held," said Valerie James Patton, Vice President of Equine Welfare Alliance (EWA).

"Even BLM's own news release stated those horses had been there a long time, long enough to grow in size", Patton added. "So now the question becomes, how long is a long time? Since 1993 when BLM filed papers to zero out the Toano Herd Area?"

"Given the long history of abuse and impropriety that has characterized the Wild Horse & Burro Program, I have to ask," said EWA's Vicki Tobin, "Did BLM openly remove federally protected wild horses from the range to sell them for slaughter because they have no fear of being held accountable? It would be illegal for BLM to round up wild horses declaring them estray and turn them over to the State. The BLM is prohibited from sending wild horses to slaughter, whether directly or indirectly."

While questions have begun surfacing as to the true status of the Pilot Valley horses, Laura Allen of Animal Law Coalition and EWA points out, " Before selling estray horses, the state is supposed to use reasonable diligence to try to find the owner including placing a notice about the estray with a full description in the local paper. BLM's news release states these are domestic estray horses abandoned by local residents. So why isn't an effort being made to find the local owners and hold them responsible to care for these horses instead of rushing these horses off for instant sale?"

"Another concern is, there are very specific definitions as to how to determine estray and feral livestock from federally protected wild horses and so far, the only thing we've seen is a take-our-word-for-it position from officials", she said.

"The Department of Interior has an almost unblemished reputation as a consistent source of scandal, mismanagement and corruption," explained EWA president John Holland, "starting with Teapot Dome in the Harding Administration through to the current disaster in the Gulf. So when things look this suspicious, questions are bound to arise."

In fairness to the BLM, EWA contacted them on July 1, to ask how they determined the horses were estray and is still awaiting a response.

EWA calls for a federal investigation to find out how BLM determined these horses are not the federally protected wild horses from the Toano range, which should include genetic testing and an accounting of the Toano wild horses.

##

Saturday, July 3, 2010

Rehashing a Battle Plan

How to Win the Wild Horse (and Burro) Wars; http://wildhorsewarriors.blogspot.com/2010/01/things-way-i-see-it.html

The Federal Lands Policy & Management Act (FLPMA) of 1974 DOES NOT APPLY to lands that were designated for a certain purpose prior to the passing of FLPMA; See THE EXEMPTION CLAUSE
http://wildhorsewarriors.blogspot.com/2009/11/federal-lands-management-policy-act-sec.html

More proof FLPMAs “multiple use” and “sustainability of yield” provisions DO NOT apply to historic wild horse (and burro) country: A Presidential Proclaimation;
http://wildhorsewarriors.blogspot.com/2009/11/more-proof-of-flmpa-exemptions-for-wfh.html

Here is another possibility. Back in the 1980s, a gentleman by the name of Leo Heil left his fortune to the Great State of Nevada to use to preserve Nevadas wild horses. However, Nevada politicians used that money to and held it up for years investing and lobbying in DC to “set out” a “proper” wild horse management plan. So, long story short,…..The State of Nevada “Wrote the Book” on BLMs wild horse management program….we all know how well that is working out. You will see in the link below that legal challenges to the BLMs mismanagment of the wild horses (when taken in Nevada) generally fail. At least one wild horse advocacy group successfully sued against the BLM only the sued IN THE COURT OF ORIGINAL JURISDICTION - that is, the Surrogate Court in California where the Leo Heil Will Trust Fund was set up,…so there is yet another possibility for a successful lawuit against Nevada BLM….to file a complaint for Breach of the Leo Heil Trust and do it in the California Surrogate Court that created the trust; http://wildhorsewarriors.blogspot.com/2010/04/nevada-ghost-author-of-blms-national-wh.html


Friday, July 2, 2010

Anthrax, Cattle, Texas

ANTHRAX, LIVESTOCK, WILDLIFE - USA: (TEXAS)
*******************************************
A ProMED-mail post

ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases


Date: Fri 2 Jul 2010
From: Martin Hugh-Jones [edited]


Anthrax deaths in Uvalde County, Texas
--------------------------------------
Last Fri 25 Jun 2010, I was reliably informed that the Texas A & M
veterinary diagnostic laboratory, College Station, had confirmed a
case of anthrax in a white tailed deer in Uvalde County. On Tue 29 Jun
2010 I was able to confirm this with the veterinarian who had examined
a freshly dead deer from a ranch in the northern part of that county,
and submitted its spleen to College Station on 22 Jun 2010. Apparently
some 10 or so deer had died earlier on this deer ranch near Rock
Springs. This is a freshly purchased ranch and the new owners had put
up an 8 ft [2.5 m] fence around it. When they did this the new fence
enclosed an uncertain number of wild white tails. The anthrax deaths
were seen in this group. The ranch has expensive penned breeding deer
but they had been vaccinated and suffered no losses.

So I checked with my various rancher friends in that part of the
Edwards Plateau, and apart from 2 dead deer found on a ranch near the
Devil's River, no one has seen anything untoward. However a very
informed contact in Rock Springs told me the following about recent
multiple deaths in that area; "These old ranchers have seen many
animals die from anthrax over the years. You can't get them to send
anything in. I can't confirm these cases, but I am 99 percent sure
they died from anthrax. We have had about 10 horses, 15 bulls and
cows, 35 deer, 3 sheep, and 1 aoudad [imported N. African wild sheep
-- see

reported. The old timers say if it would rain it will stop. They say
we need to get 2 inches or so. It is trying to rain this morning so
maybe we will get some." He had lost one bison. Since then they have
been visited by the [hurricane] Alex rains. The total number of
affected ranches at this time around Rock Springs is unclear.

The underlying reason the ranchers would want rain is that it washes
the infected blow-fly vomit off the browse so it is then safe for the
deer to eat. After feeding on an anthrax carcass blow flies fly to a
nearby shrub to vomit up their blood meals to get rid of the excess
fluid. They then eat and digest the red blood cells. This leaves a
residue on the leaves; the anthrax vegetative cells sporulate; and the
spores lurk there until eaten by a passing deer or the leaf falls off,
or the spores are washed off by rain. Thus the spores can be on the
scrub leaves for weeks posing a constant threat until they are removed.

Apparently because there has been only one laboratory confirmed case
the Texas Animal Health Commission is not issuing a report warning the
area cattlemen to get their animals vaccinated if they hadn't done it
earlier in the year.

As and when I get updates on this situation, they will be posted.

--
Martin Hugh-Jones
ProMED-mail Animal Disease Moderator


[The state of Texas can be located on the HealthMap/ProMED-mail
interactive map at
.
Uvalde County can be located on the map at
.
Edwards Plateau and Rock Springs can be seen on the map at
. -
Sr.Tech.Ed.MJ]

[see also:
2009
----
Anthrax, bovine - USA (03): (TX), cervid 20090817.2910
2007
----
Anthrax, bovine, wildlife - USA (TX) 20070713.2246
2006
----
Anthrax, deer - USA (TX)(03): bull affected 20060726.2057
Anthrax, deer - USA (TX)(02): susp. 20060720.1994
Anthrax, deer - USA (TX) 20060710.1891
2005
----
Anthrax, cervidae, livestock - USA (TX) 20050709.1944
2004
----
Anthrax, bovine, deer - USA (TX) (02) 20040829.2415
Anthrax, bovine, deer - USA (TX) 20040812.2231
2003
----
Anthrax, deer - USA (Texas) 20030808.1956
2002
----
Anthrax, deer - USA (Texas) 20020915.5322
2001
----
Anthrax, deer, bison, human - USA (Texas) (04) 20010715.1371
Anthrax, deer, bison, human - USA (Texas) (03) 20010712.1344
Anthrax, deer, bison, human - USA (Texas) (02) 20010707.1306
Anthrax, deer, bison, human - USA (Texas) 20010703.1278
Anthrax, deer - USA (Texas) 20010622.1184]
........................................mhj/mj/jw
*##########################################################*
************************************************************
ProMED-mail makes every effort to verify the reports that
are posted, but the accuracy and completeness of the
information, and of any statements or opinions based
thereon, are not guaranteed. The reader assumes all risks in
using information posted or archived by ProMED-mail. ISID
and its associated service providers shall not be held
responsible for errors or omissions or held liable for any
damages incurred as a result of use or reliance upon posted
or archived material.
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Anthrax, Bison, Canada, NW Territories

ANTHRAX, BISON - CANADA: (NORTHWEST TERRITORIES)
************************************************
A ProMED-mail post

ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases


Date: 1 Jul 2010
Source: CBC News [edited]



Bison anthrax outbreak in N.W.T. lowlands
-----------------------------------------
Government wildlife teams in the Northwest Territories are working to
control an anthrax outbreak about 80 kilometres [50 miles] southeast
of Fort Resolution, south of Yellowknife. A total of 7 bison carcasses
in the Slave River Lowlands have tested positive for the disease. They
were spotted within an 8-kilometre [5-mile] area during a 23 Jun 2010
surveillance flight. There are about 600 bison in the area, according
to officials.

"We'll have regular surveillance flights to look for any additional
cases. The trick is to find carcasses as quickly as possible," Brett
Elkin, a disease specialist with the N.W.T. Environment and Natural
Resources Department told CBC News. "They're immediately disinfected
with a chemical disinfectant called formaldehyde ... it keeps other
animals from scavenging, and it cleans off the surface and kills all
the spores. And then a 2nd crew will come in later and burn each
carcass, basically incinerate it so there's nothing left."

Elkin said disposal crews wear protective suits and are careful not to
touch the carcasses.

No humans have contracted anthrax in the Northwest Territories, and
the area in question has been closed to the public. The area is only
accessible by boat and ATV [all terrain vehicle] at this time of year,
the department said.

A total of 14 other anthrax outbreaks in the Slave River Lowlands and
Wood Buffalo National Park were reported between 1962 and 2007.

--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail


[This report says it all. In fact outbreaks of anthrax in wood bison
can be found for this specific area in the Hudson Bay annual reports
of Fort Chipewyan of around 1840. They have regular weekly
surveillance flights of known anthrax foci within and adjoining the
Wood Bison National Park (WBNP). They are so skilled and expert that
the 'Hot Shot' teams can burn up to 3 adult bison in one day. No mean
feat as the bulls -- the usual victims -- weight around 2500 pounds.

The formaldehyde actively discourages the wolves, foxes, and bears
from scavenging the bison carcasses. This is very important as
otherwise an area of some 100 to 250 square miles can get
significantly contaminated. Plus this rapid burn policy is reducing
the incidence in and around the WBNP. - Mod.MHJ]

[see also:
2007
----
Anthrax, bison - Canada (AB) 20070913.3030
Anthrax, bison - CANADA (NWT) (03) 20070816.2686
Anthrax, bison - Canada (NWT) (02) 20070731.2466
Anthrax, bison - Canada (NT) 20070727.2428
2006
----
Anthrax, bison - Canada (NT)(02) 20060711.1913
Anthrax, bison - Canada (NWT) 20060704.1836
2001
----
Anthrax, bison - Canada (Alberta) (05) 20010829.2051
Anthrax, bison - Canada (Alberta) (04) 20010804.1536
Anthrax, bison - Canada (Alberta) (03) 20010719.1403
Anthrax, bison - Canada (Alberta) (02) 20010713.1361
Anthrax, bison - Canada (Alberta): confirmed 20010708.1322
Anthrax, suspected, bison - Canada (Alberta) 20010703.1276
2000
----
Anthrax, wood bison - Canada (Alberta) (03) 20000813.1350
Anthrax, wood bison - Canada (Alberta) (02) 20000731.1268
Anthrax, wood bison - Canada (Alberta) 20000720.1197]
...................sb/mhj/ejp/jw
*##########################################################*
************************************************************
ProMED-mail makes every effort to verify the reports that
are posted, but the accuracy and completeness of the
information, and of any statements or opinions based
thereon, are not guaranteed. The reader assumes all risks in
using information posted or archived by ProMED-mail. ISID
and its associated service providers shall not be held
responsible for errors or omissions or held liable for any
damages incurred as a result of use or reliance upon posted
or archived material.
************************************************************
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************************************************************
Visit ProMED-mail's web site at .
Send all items for posting to: promed@promedmail.org (NOT to
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