Case Study #3 - Highland Peak HMA

In November of 2003, BLM issued an AML of 33 for the Highland Peak wild horses (1), stipulating that, due to insufficient habitat, retired wild horse AUMs (Animal Units Month) would not be re-allocated to livestock grazing (1). Yet, 4 years later, BLM increased livestock authorizations for the Highland Peak grazing allotment by almost 700 AUMs for a total of over 2,600 sheep (2).

In addition to increasing livestock forage allocation in the Highland Peak grazing allotment, BLM increased sheep AUMs in three neighboring allotments(3). In total, 8,985 AUMs were issued for livestock allotments affecting the Highland Peak HMA, with only 396 AUMs for wild horses. The forage allocated to 6,600 sheep in these allotments could feed 748 horses year-round.

As BLM issued the Final Decisions to authorize these private livestock allotments for the next 10 years, they released their Final Resource Management Plan proposing to zero out the southern half of the Highland Peak HMA, leaving only the most northern portion to be combined with the Dry Lake HMA in a "new" HMA called Silver King.

References:

(1) Notice of Wild Horse Management Decision and FONSI for the Establishment of Appropriate Management Levels for Twelve Wild Horse Herd Managment Areas with the Ely District. EA#NV-040-03-036.

(2) Final Decision, Jared Cornelius Term Permit Renewal for the Highland Peak Allotment, EA# NV-040-07-21) November 21, 2007.

(3) Final Decision, Tom Williams Term Permit Renewal for the Bennet Spring, Black Canyon and Klondike Allotments, EA# NV-040-07-21, November 20, 2007

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