U.S. Code » Title 16 » Chapter CHAPTER 30— WILD HORSES AND BURROS: PROTECTION, MANAGEMENT, AND CONTROL

16 U.S.C. § 1333

Powers and duties of Secretary

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(a) Jurisdiction; management; ranges; ecological balance objectives; scientific recommendations; forage allocation adjustments

All wild free-roaming horses and burros are hereby declared to be under the jurisdiction of the Secretary for the purpose of management and protection in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. The Secretary is authorized and directed to protect and manage wild free-roaming horses and burros as components of the public lands, and he may designate and maintain specific ranges on public lands as sanctuaries for their protection and preservation, where the Secretary after consultation with the wildlife agency of the State wherein any such range is proposed and with the Advisory Board established in section 1337 of this title deems such action desirable. The Secretary shall manage wild free-roaming horses and burros in a manner that is designed to achieve and maintain a thriving natural ecological balance on the public lands. He shall consider the recommendations of qualified scientists in the field of biology and ecology, some of whom shall be independent of both Federal and State agencies and may include members of the Advisory Board established in section 1337 of this title. All management activities shall be at the minimal feasible level and shall be carried out in consultation with the wildlife agency of the State wherein such lands are located in order to protect the natural ecological balance of all wildlife species which inhabit such lands, particularly endangered wildlife species. Any adjustments in forage allocations on any such lands shall take into consideration the needs of other wildlife species which inhabit such lands.

(b) Inventory and determinations; consultation; overpopulation; research study: submittal to Congress(1) The Secretary shall maintain a current inventory of wild free-roaming horses and burros on given areas of the public lands. The purpose of such inventory shall be to: make determinations as to whether and where an overpopulation exists and whether action should be taken to remove excess animals; determine appropriate management levels of wild free-roaming horses and burros on these areas of the public lands; and determine whether appropriate management levels should be achieved by the removal or destruction of excess animals, or other options (such as sterilization, or natural controls on population levels). In making such determinations the Secretary shall consult with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, wildlife agencies of the State or States wherein wild free-roaming horses and burros are located, such individuals independent of Federal and State government as have been recommended by the National Academy of Sciences, and such other individuals whom he determines have scientific expertise and special knowledge of wild horse and burro protection, wildlife management and animal husbandry as related to rangeland management.(2) Where the Secretary determines on the basis of (i) the current inventory of lands within his jurisdiction; (ii) information contained in any land use planning completed pursuant to section 1712 of title 43; (iii) information contained in court ordered environmental impact statements as defined in section 1902 of title 43; and (iv) such additional information as becomes available to him from time to time, including that information developed in the research study mandated by this section, or in the absence of the information contained in (i–iv) above on the basis of all information currently available to him, that an overpopulation exists on a given area of the public lands and that action is necessary to remove excess animals, he shall immediately remove excess animals from the range so as to achieve appropriate management levels. Such action shall be taken, in the following order and priority, until all excess animals have been removed so as to restore a thriving natural ecological balance to the range, and protect the range from the deterioration associated with overpopulation:(A) The Secretary shall order old, sick, or lame animals to be destroyed in the most humane manner possible;(B) The Secretary shall cause such number of additional excess wild free-roaming horses and burros to be humanely captured and removed for private maintenance and care for which he determines an adoption demand exists by qualified individuals, and for which he determines he can assure humane treatment and care (including proper transportation, feeding, and handling): Provided, That, not more than four animals may be adopted per year by any individual unless the Secretary determines in writing that such individual is capable of humanely caring for more than four animals, including the transportation of such animals by the adopting party; and(C) The Secretary shall cause additional excess wild free-roaming horses and burros for which an adoption demand by qualified individuals does not exist to be destroyed in the most humane and cost efficient manner possible.(3) For the purpose of furthering knowledge of wild horse and burro population dynamics and their interrelationship with wildlife, forage and water resources, and assisting him in making his determination as to what constitutes excess animals, the Secretary shall contract for a research study of such animals with such individuals independent of Federal and State government as may be recommended by the National Academy of Sciences for having scientific expertise and special knowledge of wild horse and burro protection, wildlife management and animal husbandry as related to rangeland management. The terms and outline of such research study shall be determined by a research design panel to be appointed by the President of the National Academy of Sciences. Such study shall be completed and submitted by the Secretary to the Senate and House of Representatives on or before January 1, 1983.(c) Title of transferee to limited number of excess animals adopted for requisite period

Where excess animals have been transferred to a qualified individual for adoption and private maintenance pursuant to this chapter and the Secretary determines that such individual has provided humane conditions, treatment and care for such animal or animals for a period of one year, the Secretary is authorized upon application by the transferee to grant title to not more than four animals to the transferee at the end of the one-year period.

(d) Loss of status as wild free-roaming horses and burros; exclusion from coverageWild free-roaming horses and burros or their remains shall lose their status as wild free-roaming horses or burros and shall no longer be considered as falling within the purview of this chapter—(1) upon passage of title pursuant to subsection (c) except for the limitation of subsection (c)(1) 11 So in original. Probably should be subsection “(c)”. of this section; or(2) if they have been transferred for private maintenance or adoption pursuant to this chapter and die of natural causes before passage of title; or(3) upon destruction by the Secretary or his designee pursuant to subsection (b) of this section; or(4) if they die of natural causes on the public lands or on private lands where maintained thereon pursuant to section 1334 of this title and disposal is authorized by the Secretary or his designee; or(5) upon destruction or death for purposes of or incident to the program authorized in this section.(e) Sale of excess animals(1) In generalAny excess animal or the remains of an excess animal shall be sold if—(A) the excess animal is more than 10 years of age; or(B) the excess animal has been offered unsuccessfully for adoption at least 3 times.(2) Method of saleAn excess animal that meets either of the criteria in paragraph (1) shall be made available for sale without limitation, including through auction to the highest bidder, at local sale yards or other convenient livestock selling facilities, until such time as—(A) all excess animals offered for sale are sold; or(B) the appropriate management level, as determined by the Secretary, is attained in all areas occupied by wild free-roaming horses and burros.(3) Disposition of fundsFunds generated from the sale of excess animals under this subsection shall be—(A) credited as an offsetting collection to the Management of Lands and Resources appropriation for the Bureau of Land Management; and(B) used for the costs relating to the adoption of wild free-roaming horses and burros, including the costs of marketing such adoption.(4) Effect of sale

Any excess animal sold under this provision shall no longer be considered to be a wild free-roaming horse or burro for purposes of this chapter.

(Pub. L. 92–195, § 3, Dec. 15, 1971, 85 Stat. 649; Pub. L. 95–514, § 14(a), Oct. 25, 1978, 92 Stat. 1808; Pub. L. 108–447, div. E, title I, § 142(a), Dec. 8, 2004, 118 Stat. 3070.)Editorial NotesReferences in Text

Section 1902 of title 43, referred to in subsec. (b)(2), was in the original “section 2 of the Public Range Lands Improvement Act of 1978” (classified to 43 U.S.C. 1901) and was changed to reflect the probable intent of Congress.

Amendments

2004—Subsec. (d)(5). Pub. L. 108–447, § 142(a)(1), substituted “this section” for “this section; Provided, That no wild free-roaming horse or burro or its remains may be sold or transferred for consideration for processing into commercial products”.

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 108–447, § 142(a)(2), added subsec. (e).

1978—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 95–514 substituted provisions for: maintaining current inventory of wild free-roaming horses and burros; listing the purpose of the inventory and determinations to be made in consultation with persons of scientific expertise and special knowledge; immediate removal of excess animals from the range on the basis of information from various sources so as to achieve appropriate management levels; order and priority of removal; and research study  to  be  reported  to  Congress  for  prior  authorization of humane destruction of old, sick, or lame animals and capture and removal of additional excess animals for private maintenance under humane conditions and care, now incorporated in subsec. (b)(2)(A) and (B).

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 95–514 substituted provision for grant of title to limited number of excess animals adopted for requisite period for prior authorization of humane destruction of wild free-roaming horses and burros as an act of mercy or to prevent overpopulation only when necessary to preserve and maintain the habitat in a suitable condition for continued use.

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 95–514 substituted provisions relating to circumstances and conditions operating to take wild free-roaming horses and burros or their remains from the purview of this chapter for prior declaration that nothing in the chapter shall preclude the customary disposal of the remains of a deceased wild free-roaming horse or burro, including those in the authorized possession of private parties, and prohibition of sale for any consideration, directly or indirectly, of the remains, or any part thereof, now incorporated in cl. (5).

Statutory Notes and Related SubsidiariesTermination of Advisory Boards

Advisory boards in existence on Jan. 5, 1973, to terminate not later than the expiration of the 2-year period following Jan. 5, 1973, unless, in the case of a board established by the President or an officer of the Federal Government, such board is renewed by appropriate action prior to the expiration of such 2-year period, or in the case of a board established by the Congress, its duration is otherwise provided by law. See sections 1001(2) and 1013 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 72 cases (18 in the last 5 years), 1975–2026 · leading case: In Def. of Animals v. U.S. Dep't of the Interior, 751 F.3d 1054 (9th Cir. 2014).
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In Def. of Animals v. U.S. Dep't of the Interior, 751 F.3d 1054 (9th Cir. 2014). · cites it 23× “” 16 U.S.C. § 1333 (a). The BLM accomplishes this goal, in part, by establishing Appropriate Management Levels (“AMLs”) for populations of both native species—including wild horses, burros, and other wildlife—and introduced animals, such as livestock (including cattle and sheep).”
W. Rangeland Conservation Ass'n v. Zinke, 265 F. Supp. 3d 1267 (D. Utah 2017). · cites it 32× “” 16 U.S.C. § 1333 (a). Thus, BLM is tasked with harmonizing the protection of wild horses and burros and the preservation of other rangeland values and uses.”
Am. Wild Horse Pres. Campaign v. Jewell, 847 F.3d 1174 (10th Cir. 2016). · cites it 14× “” 16 U.S.C. § 1333 (a). Id. at 1425 (footnote omitted).”
Fund for Animals, Inc. v. U.S. Bureau of Land Mgmt., 460 F.3d 13 (D.C. Cir. 2006). · cites it 6× “” 16 U.S.C. § 1333 (a). The Bureau (as the Secretary’s delegate) carries out this function in localized “herd management- areas” (“HMAs”), 16 U.”
Friends Animals v. Silvey, 353 F. Supp. 3d 991 (D. Nev. 2018). · cites it 9× “" 16 U.S.C. § 1333 (a). As part of the mandate, the WHBA requires BLM to compile and maintain "current inventor[ies] of wild horses and burros on given areas of public lands.”
Am. Horse Prot. Ass'n, Inc. v. James G. Watt, Sec'y, United States Dep't of the Interior, 694 F.2d 1310 (D.C. Cir. 1982). · cites it 12× “” 16 U.S.C. § 1333 (a). By 1978, however, Congress recognized that circumstances had changed.”
In Def. of Animals v. Salazar, 675 F. Supp. 2d 89 (D.D.C. 2009). · cites it 12× “As used in the statute, the term “Secretary” refers to “the Secretary of the Interior when used in connection with public lands administered by him through the Bureau of Land Management and the Secretary of Agriculture in connection with public lands administered by him through…”
Am. Wild Horse Campaign v. David Bernhardt, 963 F.3d 1001 (9th Cir. 2020). · cites it 7× “” 16 U.S.C. § 1333 (a). The main purpose of the amendments was “to cut back on the protection the Act affords wild horses, and to reemphasize other uses of the natural resources wild horses consume.”
Habitat for Horses v. Salazar, 745 F. Supp. 2d 438 (S.D.N.Y. 2010). · cites it 12× “” 16 U.S.C. § 1333 (a). These “specific ranges” are referred to as “herd management areas,” which the BLM must establish in accord with approved land use plans and designate “for the maintenance of wild horse” herds.”
Wyoming v. United States Dep't of the Interior, 839 F.3d 938 (10th Cir. 2016). · cites it 5× “(quoting 16 U.S.C. § 1333 (a)). The Act proved to be effective at remedying the decline of wild horse herds.”
Leigh v. Salazar, 677 F.3d 892 (9th Cir. 2012). · cites it 4× “" 16 U.S.C. § 1333 (b)(2). The BLM controls overpopulation by conducting horse gathers, also known as roundups, in which it uses helicopters to herd the horses toward a temporary gather corral.”
Friends of Animals v. United States Bureau of Land Mgmt., 232 F. Supp. 3d 53 (D.D.C. 2017). · cites it 5× “16 U.S.C. § 1333 (b)(1); see also BLM, Wild Horses and Burros Management Handbook, H-4700-1 at 17-18 (2010) (explaining that the AML should be “expressed as a population range,” and should be based on an “in-depth evaluation of intensive monitoring data or land health…”
Show all 72 citing cases →
— 16 U.S.C. § 1333(b)(2) — 1 case
W. Rangeland Conservation Ass'n v. Zinke, 265 F. Supp. 3d 1267 (D. Utah 2017). “” 16 U.S.C. § 1333 (a). Thus, BLM is tasked with harmonizing the protection of wild horses and burros and the preservation of other rangeland values and uses.”
— 16 U.S.C. § 1333(d)(1) — 1 case
Animal Prot. Inst. of Am. v. Hodel, 860 F.2d 920 (9th Cir. 1988).
Annotations are extracted automatically from the opinions in the Syfert caselaw corpus and ranked by authority, recency, and treatment. Dots show Syfertize treatment of the citing case itself.