WASHINGTON – North Dakota Senator John Hoeven’s bipartisan legislation to maintain wild horses at Theodore Roosevelt National Park passes in the Senate.
The legislation now goes to the House of Representatives.
The bill, which was co-introduced with Democratic Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia would require Secretary of Interior, and former North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, to maintain a genetically-diverse herd of at least 150 horses at the park’s south unit.
Interior would only be allowed to remove horses to improve genetic diversity, in an emergency or to protect public health and safety. Within 120 days, the federal government would have to develop a plan to manage the horses and make information public on horse population and their health.
“Our legislation is about preserving a critical part of this region’s character and history. The wild horses are a primary draw for those coming to Theodore Roosevelt National Park, and they truly help set the historic scene as it would’ve existed in Teddy Roosevelt’s time,” Hoeven said. “Passing our bill through the Senate is a big step forward and brings us closer to ensuring the future of wild horses at the park.”
