Scoping begins for the Eagle complex- public comments due- sample letter provided for use.

Why is public commenting important? When you submit a comment to the Bureau of Land Management, it is not just “feedback”—it becomes part of the legal administrative record. Wild horses are protected under the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971, but that protection only works when:

• The public is engaged

• Agencies are held accountable

  THE EAGLE COMPLEX

  The comment period closes May 21, 2026, and you can submit it via:

  • Online (preferred): BLM National NEPA Register — search "Eagle Complex" and use the "Participate Now" option

  • Email: BLM_NV_EYDO_EagleComplex_MgmtEvaluation2026@blm.gov

  • Mail: BLM Caliente Field Office, Attn: Tyler Reese, 1400 Front Street, Caliente, NV 89008

  The comment addresses five key issues drawn directly from the BLM's own report:

  1. Disproportionate forage allocation — Livestock grazing is only at 43% of permitted AUMs yet wild horses are blamed for all range degradation; rangeland health data is 9–19 years old.

  2. Outdated and unjustified AML — 149–265 horses across 760,779 acres (roughly 1 horse per 2,870 acres) is not scientifically supported and was set in the 1970s–80s without transparent methodology.

  3. Sex ratio skewing — The proposed 60% male / 40% female manipulation is inhumane, increases stallion aggression and injury, and has no sound scientific basis.

  4. Inadequate fertility control — The BLM's own preferred plan sidelines on-range PZP darting as a primary tool, perpetuating expensive and traumatic roundup cycles.

  5. Genetic viability ignored — Dr. Cothran's 2021 recommendation to re-sample by 2025 was not followed; reducing to low AML risks genetic collapse.

     NEPA Number: DOI-BLM-NV-L030-2026-0007-EA
     Project Name: Eagle Complex Wild Horse Gather and Herd Management Area Plan

     LINKS-

  6. BLM ANNOUNCMENT

  7. EPLANNING → DOCUMENTS →PROJECT HOME →PUBLIC COMMENTS

     SAMPLE PUBLIC COMENT LETTER - (NUETRAL- If you do not approve of the use of fertility - you can change and add your own solutions *** please do include a solution because keeping them all on the range is not a viable long term plan. Removal of smaller numbers and keeping genitic viability. Reevaluating low AML’s.)

     KEEP IN MIND

     ******* From Section 2.5.2 in H-4700-1, Wild Horses and Burros Management Handbook:

     HMAPs tier to and must be in conformance with the applicable LUP. If the proposed management strategy is not consistent with the LUP, then the LUP should be amended, or the proposal should be modified or rejected.

     If the land-use plan assigns 86% of the authorized forage to privately owned livestock, do you think you can write a new HMAP that allocates 98% of the resource to wild horses, with 2% to wildlife, and put it into practice?.

     The problem is in the planning and decision documents that determine how HMAs are managed, as well as the statutes and regulations that precede them.

• Wild Horses Lives Matter exists because these horses have no voice. From the open range to holding facilities, we are there—documenting the truth and fighting for their future. Your donation directly supports this work. Together, we can protect them.

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