The BLM decision was announced Monday afternoon.
âThe BLM is committed to sustaining an ecological balance in the Piceance-East Douglas HMA,â said White River Field Manager Kent Walter in the news release. âOur goal is to have healthy horses on healthy rangelands.â
The Piceance-East Douglas Herd Management Area includes central Rio Blanco County east of Colorado Highway 139 and south of Colorado Highway 64. The area is about 50 miles north and east of Grand Junction.
The BLM estimates that 838 horses live in the herd management area.
According to the news release, BLM put the appropriate management level between 135-235 horses.
As part of the decision, helicopter and/or bait trapping methods may be used for wild horse gathering operations. Fertility treatments will be used to curb annual herd population growth.