--------- LETTER TEMPLATE FOR HR 297 -----------
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The Honorable _________________
Subject: Co-sponsor H.R. 297
Dear Representative _________________:
I am writing to urge you to co-sponsor H.R. 297 introduced by Representatives Nick J. Rahall (D-WV) and Ed Whitfield (R-KY). This Bill reverses the amendment to the 1971 Wild Free-Roaming Horse & Burro Act stealthily introduced by Senator Conrad Burns as a rider to the 2005 Appropriations Bill. If allowed to stand, the Burns provision will lead to the slaughter of thousands of wild horses for human consumption abroad.
Our wild horses are a vital part of our national heritage. The law that was enacted for their protection thirty years ago was the result of a greater public outcry than over any issue except the Vietnam War, and was passed without a single dissenting vote. I am extremely
distressed over the fact that this law enacted by the people for the people was eviscerated without so much as a hearing or opportunity for public review.
The reasons argued by Sen. Burns to defend the slaughter of wild horses hold no water. There is not an overpopulation of wild horses as Mr. Burns claims; in fact since 1971, when Congress passed the Wild Horses and Burros Act recognizing that they were quickly disappearing and needed protection from slaughter, the number of wild horses on public lands dropped from about 64,000 to less than 35,000 right now. There were 303 herd areas where wild horses and burros were protected, now there are only 186 areas where horses still roam.
Domestic cattle outnumbers wild horses in a 1-150 ratio. While there are less than 35,000 wild horses remaining distributed in 10 states, up to 4,5 million cattle occupy the same lands. Furthermore, a study made by the General Accounting Office showed that overgrazing problem was actually caused by poorly managed domestic cattle herds while the wild horses caused no damage to the lands. The study pointed out that a reduction on the number of cattle, not horses, was necessary to protect the health of the lands.
As Congressman Rahall said to suggest that an acceptable solution to a federal agency's management dilemma is commercial slaughter is an irresponsible approach to our public lands and the wildlife that roam them.
Over the past 100 years, our wild horse populations have steadily declined from over two million to less than 35,000. Still, the roundups continue at great costs to taxpayers. It is my understanding that an in-the-wild management and chemical sterilization program not based on removal would save millions of our tax dollars annually. It would also reflect the will of the American people by preserving freeroaming herds on public lands for generations to come.
In addition to co-sponsoring H.R. 297, I also urge you to support a moratorium on round-ups until actual numbers of wild horses on public lands have been independently assessed, and a Congressional investigation into current wild horse management practices.
I respectfully request a prompt response from you stating your position with regard to H.R. 297 which would restore the prohibition on the commercial sale and slaughter of wild horses and burros.
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