Sponsors (2)
The bill preserves and requires public monitoring of a genetically diverse wild horse herd to support recreation and transparency, but does so at the risk of habitat strain and increased taxpayer-funded management costs.
Park visitors, rural communities, and local governments benefit from preserving a genetically diverse wild horse herd in the Park, which enhances recreational, cultural, and wildlife-viewing value.
Taxpayers and the public gain greater transparency because the Secretary must annually monitor and publicly release findings on the horse population, structure, and health.
Park natural resources and habitat could be degraded if the mandated herd size harms vegetation or ecosystem balance, potentially reducing biodiversity and increasing long‑term ecological damage.
Taxpayers may face higher and ongoing management costs to sustain the herd and implement required monitoring and management plans.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Introduced April 9, 2025 by John Hoeven · Last progress April 9, 2025
Requires the Secretary of the Interior to keep a genetically diverse herd of at least 150 horses in the South Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park, to prepare a cost‑effective horse management plan within 120 days, and to monitor and publicly report annually on the herd’s population, structure, and health. It prohibits removing horses from federal land within the park except to preserve genetic diversity, in emergencies, or to protect public health and safety.