BLM, NPS seek input on wild burro plan in western Arizona

Date:
August 12, 2024
Contact:Ben Roberts, 775 293 2164
Contact:Brandon Boshell, 435 688 3202
Contact:Rachel Carnahan, 435 688 3303

ST. GEORGE, Utah - The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and National Park Service (NPS) are seeking public comments on a joint environmental assessment for proposed wild burro gathers within and outside the Tassi-Gold Butte Herd Management Area on the jointly managed Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument.

The Tassi-Gold Butte Herd Management Area (HMA) in northwest Arizona is located 60 miles southwest of St. George, Utah, and approximately 35 miles southeast of Mesquite, Nevada. The area covers 101,816 acres of remote and rugged Mojave Desert in Mohave County. The Appropriate Management Level (AML) for the area is set at zero wild burros to protect critical desert tortoise habitat. However, surveys show there are currently several hundred wild burros in the Tassi-Gold Butte HMA.

The draft environmental assessment analyzes the use of periodic removal to reach and maintain a scientifically-determined AML of zero. All action alternatives analyzed in the assessment ensure humane treatment of the animals. Burros removed from the range would be examined by a veterinarian and made available for adoption or sale to good homes through the BLM's adoption and sales programs.

The comment period ends Sept. 9, 2024. The draft environmental assessment and other available documents are available for review and public comment at the BLM National NEPA Register and at the BLM visitor center in St. George at 345 East Riverside Drive, St. George, Utah 84780. The public can provide comments during the public comment period from Aug. 9 to Sept. 9, 2024, at (PEPC/ePlanning sites) or in writing to the NPS and BLM at:

Tassi-Gold Butte Wild Burro Gather EA Comments
Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument
345 East Riverside Drive
Saint George, UT 84790

Comment letters must be postmarked by the public comment period closing date Sep.9, 2024.

For additional information, please contact Ben M. Roberts at [email protected] or 775-293-2164 or Brandon E. Boshell at [email protected] or 435-688-3202.

-BLM/NPS-

Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument is jointly managed by the Bureau of Land Management and the National Park Service under the Service First Authority. Service First promotes partnerships across Agency boundaries to develop joint solutions to common problems and address federal land management issues in an integrated way. Congress passed Service First legislation in 2012.

The BLM manages approximately 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America's public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.

More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America's 430 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities.

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