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Lander County pledges up to $50,000 to support ranchers’ 9th Circuit appeal over BLM wild-horse decisions
Summary
The county voted to support ranchers in an appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals (9th Circuit) challenging Bureau of Land Management decisions on wild-horse gathers and to provide litigation assistance not to exceed $50,000, while commissioners sought clarity on what the money would cover.
The Lander County Board of Commissioners voted June 26 to support ranchers’ appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit and to provide litigation assistance up to $50,000 in response to an adverse district-court ruling concerning two BLM decision records related to wild-horse gathers.
The board considered a summary of the appellate issues, which center on whether the Wild and Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act (WHA) requires the Bureau of Land Management to act "immediately" — interpreted by the ranchers as a mandate to remove excess animals without delay — or only to begin removal promptly. One commissioner urged that a successful ruling should compel action “as fast as humanly possible,” reflecting the ranchers’ argument that the WHA’s word "immediately" requires prompt completion of gathers rather than open-ended scheduling.
Commissioners repeatedly voiced support for litigation as the practical route to obtain a definitive judicial interpretation but pressed for a clearer plan showing how any county contribution would be used and what outcome would constitute success. Commissioner Lamont moved the motion to approve providing assistance up to $50,000; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. The board’s vote records do not allocate funds to a named attorney or line item in the meeting record; staff and commissioners said timelines and spending details may be constrained by the legal process.
