[{"_1":2,"_105":-5,"_106":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,85,95],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":-5,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6477233,"mediaKeyId","5712229-36666a87ccfa5746c33408bb03e29d38","parentId",5712229,"title","Public Lands Council backs BLM gathers, votes to send letter urging wild-horse levels kept at AML","audioSeconds",956,"startMs",698000,"endMs",1654000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5712229-36666a87ccfa5746c33408bb03e29d38&start=698&end=1654","thumbnailUrl","https://d352y6ypj4mjo3.cloudfront.net/AudioPlaceholder.png","articleUrl","/articles/6477233/Utah/Public-Lands-Council-backs-BLM-gathers-votes-to-send-letter-urging-wild-horse-levels-kept-at-AML","mediaUrl","author","Emery County Public Lands Council","date","2025-09-02T10:00:00Z","article","The Emery County Public Lands Council voted unanimously to draft and send a letter urging the Bureau of Land Management to keep wild-horse populations within appropriate Appropriate Management Level (AML) ranges and to treat excess animals as grounds for emergency gathers.

The council took the vote after a detailed report from a BLM field representative, who described two July gathers in the Muddy Creek Herd Management Area. The BLM representative said crews removed about 189 horses in July (an initial emergency removal of 40 in June followed by additional actions in July that removed 39 and 110 animals in different locations). He said the agency\u0000estimates a total herd population of about 246 head including foals, equivalent to roughly 218 adult-equivalent animals, and that the herd remains above AML.

Why it matters: Council members representing local grazing permittees stressed that remaining over-AML populations directly affect permit holders\u0000forage availability and livelihoods during a severe drought year. Several permittees told the council they are experiencing little or no forage and warned that population rebounds are common without sustained follow-up.

BLM reporting and field conditions: The BLM representative said body-condition scores improved temporarily after a local storm filled a pond, but drought conditions continue and body conditions fell again as pond levels dropped. The BLM described plans to complete a herd management plan with fertility-control components this winter and said additional gathers will be scheduled once that planning is final.

Disposition of seized animals: The BLM representative said captured animals were transported to a private holding facility (Axtell) for quarantine, vaccinations and sorting; animals acceptable for adoption go to Delta, while older or unsatisfactory animals may remain in holding, be put down under euthanasia authority, or be shipped elsewhere. He said two horses were euthanized during the gather and a third animal likely required euthanasia soon after capture because it was blind.

Council motion and next steps: Members moved and seconded a motion instructing staff (Kim) to draft a letter to the BLM expressing thanks for the gathers, requesting that the agency maintain herds at AML, request immediate removal when AML is exceeded, urge the BLM to accelerate follow-up actions and fertility-control implementation, and note the economic impact to permittees when forage is consumed by excess wild horses. The council voted unanimously in favor; the letter will be drafted and reviewed by council members before mailing.

Questions and context: Council members asked BLM staff about the definition of an \"emergency gather.\" The BLM representative said emergency status depends on animal body condition and forage/water availability rather than strictly on AML exceedance. Council members repeatedly urged that emergency gathers be used more promptly when conditions deteriorate.

Ending note: The BLM representative said the division will place the council on the mailing list for upcoming NEPA documents (the anticipated Environmental Assessment) so the council can review proposed gather plans and fertility-control measures when they are released for public comment.

","mediaType","Audio","parentTitle","Emery County Public Lands Council - 09-02-2025 Public Lands Audio","oneSentenceSummary","The Emery County Public Lands Council voted unanimously to draft and send a letter urging the Bureau of Land Management to keep wild-horse populations at Appropriate Management Levels and to treat overages as grounds for emergency gathers.","taxTitle","Emery County Public Lands Council, Emery County Boards and Commissions, Emery County, Utah","taxId",74993,"location","Utah","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":50,"_51":82,"_53":-5,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":83,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":84,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6477219,"Agency reports: state OHV grants, state parks staffing, forest-service planning and DOGM carbon-sequestration primacy update",3103,2777000,5880000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5712229-36666a87ccfa5746c33408bb03e29d38&start=2777&end=5880","/articles/6477219/Utah/Agency-reports-state-OHV-grants-state-parks-staffing-forest-service-planning-and-DOGM-carbon-sequestration-primacy-update","Several agency representatives delivered updates to the Emery County Public Lands Council on grants, staffing and planning that affect county recreation and land management.

OHV grants and trails: Wade from the Division of Outdoor Recreation reported the state OHV program issued about $1.7 million in awards; Emery County received $12,000 for MAPS work and will receive roughly $15,000 more via a contracted trail group for BLM trail work. Wade also said the division awarded more than $200,000 for search-and-rescue equipment statewide and described state trail-crew projects (Pole Canyon water bars, forthcoming non-motorized trail work); the division is considering a year-round heavy-equipment trail crew in the region.

State Parks staffing and local events: Tiffany Hanson, manager for Huntington and Millsite state parks, said both parks are fully staffed (four full-time staff across three parks) and reported strong Labor Day weekend use; she noted irrigation improvements have greened park landscaping and she is coordinating on water-rights and pump options to reduce reliance on culinary water.

Forest Service report: Darren (Forest Service) summarized cooperator meetings on forest-plan revision (Moab, Monticello, Manti and Price) with a regional review expected and a goal to publish a final document in early 2026. He discussed timber-sale preparation, road maintenance, engineer-group work, and management in previously logged or roadless areas; he also flagged fire-restriction coordination with the state and BLM and noted ongoing timber/wood-haul operations and trail repairs.

Division of Oil, Gas and Mining (DOGM): Bart reported that the Utah Board of Oil, Gas and Mining adopted a rule (R644) to regulate Class VI geologic carbon sequestration in July; the division is preparing a primacy application (including required letters from the governor and attorney general and an MOU with EPA) and expects a 30-day public comment window on the application documents, possibly in October. DOGM emphasized that the rule and primacy application govern how a future program would be administered by the state rather than the EPA. Bart did not specify project locations but said local geology and existing industry make some valley locations plausible.

Other notes: BLM and other federal staff briefed the council on upcoming RAC meetings, land-sale parcels in process (Millsite/ Hunter Power Plant), and planned Wedge implementation work. The BLM also noted staffing constraints and NEPA/EA schedules in several projects explained during the reports.

Ending: Council members asked agencies to share NEPA/EA mailing lists and to coordinate on implementation details; agencies agreed to follow up and to include the council on relevant distribution lists.","Agency reports covered a statewide OHV grant award to Emery County, state trail-crew work and staffing, State Parks staffing for local parks, forest-service plan cooperators meetings and timber/logging updates, and a Division of Oil, Gas and Mining report on pursuing state primacy for Class VI carbon sequestration",{"_33":86,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":87,"_41":88,"_43":89,"_45":90,"_47":91,"_49":50,"_51":92,"_53":-5,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":93,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":94,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6477223,"Council discusses Rillba Canyon gate tied to mine—phase-3 bond release; motion supports county action on gate",3058,238000,3296000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5712229-36666a87ccfa5746c33408bb03e29d38&start=238&end=3296","/articles/6477223/Utah/Council-discusses-Rillba-Canyon-gate-tied-to-minephase-3-bond-release-motion-supports-county-action-on-gate","Council members discussed a locked gate at Rillba (Rillba/Rilda) Canyon after staff read correspondence from the state Division of Oil, Gas and Mining indicating that PacificCorp's post-mining land-use permit application for the Deer Creek Mine is in the administrative phase and that the final (phase-3) bond-release process is underway.

Staff summary and legal status: Staff read a letter indicating that the state has determined a permit application administratively complete for a proposed post-mining land-use change, and that PacificCorp remains in a phase-3 bond-release stage. Staff advised that while the Forest Service and the reclamation authority have duties tied to bond release, the presence of multiple locks and the ended contractor relationship leave the gate's status in question.

Council action: After discussion the council made a motion \"we support that\" (a motion recorded in the transcript immediately after staff described the phase-3 bond-release status) and voted in favor. Council members and staff agreed to coordinate with county commission staff so that any physical removal of gates or changes to access would be ratified by the commission as necessary.

Why it matters: Council members expressed interest in restoring public access where reclamation milestones have been met, but several also cautioned that bond-release requirements and potential liability claims could complicate unilateral action; the council flagged the need to coordinate with legal staff and the county commission before physical changes are made.

Ending: The meeting record shows a unanimous affirmative vote on the motion to support action; members noted they would notify the commission and coordinate with county staff before taking physical steps.","Council members discussed a county gate at Rillba/Rilda Canyon that remains locked pending PacificCorp (permit holder) phase-3 bond release; after staff explained the gate's status in the permit bond process, the council voted to support county action to remove the gate if appropriate, subject to commission ratification",{"_33":96,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":97,"_41":98,"_43":99,"_45":100,"_47":101,"_49":50,"_51":102,"_53":-5,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":103,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":104,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6477228,"Robber's Roost trail committee gets council nod to use county signs and add stickers; council will recommend commission approval",672,2004000,2676000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5712229-36666a87ccfa5746c33408bb03e29d38&start=2004&end=2676","/articles/6477228/Utah/Robbers-Roost-trail-committee-gets-council-nod-to-use-county-signs-and-add-stickers-council-will-recommend-commission-approval","The Emery County Public Lands Council unanimously approved a recommendation that Robber's Roost Trail Committee and Utah OHV Advocates may add Robber's Roost stickers to existing county trail signs and install additional signs where needed, provided the group coordinates with the county road department and federal land managers.

Presentations and request: Brett Stewart of Utah OHV Advocates and Catherine (president of the Robber's Roost Trail Committee) told the council their group has mapped a multi-county trail loop that passes through portions of Emery County. They said they are not seeking to create new trails but to sign and map existing roads and trails (mostly county B- and D-class roads) to provide wayfinding for users and to reduce search-and-rescue incidents.

Council conditions and interagency coordination: Council members asked the presenters to work with the county road department on numbering and sign placement and to secure BLM concurrence for signage on BLM-managed right-of-way. The presenters said they will supply materials via grant funding and will commit to periodic maintenance (they said signage maintenance would occur roughly twice a year).

Vote and next steps: The council moved, seconded and voted unanimously to recommend that the commission approve use of county-established signs with Robber's Roost stickers; if new signs are required inside BLM right-of-way, those will need BLM approval. Council staff will coordinate routing the recommendation to the county commission and help facilitate road-department contacts.

Ending note: The presenters said they will provide updated, higher-resolution maps and work with county staff on exact sign locations and numbering to match existing county/BLM conventions.","A local trail committee and Utah OHV Advocates requested permission to add Robber's Roost stickers and supplemental signs on existing county B- and D-class roads. The council voted unanimously to recommend use of county signs, subject to road-department and BLM coordination and eventual commission approval.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Public Lands Council backs BLM gathers, votes to send letter urging wild-horse levels kept at AML

Agency reports: state OHV grants, state parks staffing, forest-service planning and DOGM carbon-sequestration primacy update

Council discusses Rillba Canyon gate tied to mine—phase-3 bond release; motion supports county action on gate

Robber's Roost trail committee gets council nod to use county signs and add stickers; council will recommend commission approval