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Show WILD IIOKSI-; I) II, KM MA. Increase in wild horse populations has brought increased pressure on the ranges in western Iron and Beaver Counties. BLM is striving to bring population in line with the available forage. Wild horse population causing problems for selection. Qualified individuals in-dividuals are those who have facilities to adequately shelter and feed horses, stated Doug Wood, Acting District Manager. Wild horse populations are increasing at the rate of 15 to 20 percent annually on national resource lands in southwestern Utah. This increased pressure is being felt on the ranges in western Iron and Beaver Counties. With protection under the Wild Horse and Burro Act of - 1971 the resident horse herds in this area have continued to expand, ex-pand, competing with livestock and wildlife for the available forage. Working under the guidance of the 1971 Act, the Cedar City District, Bureau of Land Management, will begin control work this summer by capturing a number of wild horses. The reduction program will strive to bring the horse population in line with the available forage. The population in known problem areas will be reduced at least to the 1971 level; further if circumstances cir-cumstances warrant. The captured horses will be available for individual caretaking and use under a cooperative maintenance agreement with the U.S. Government. With this program the U.S. Government retains ownership of the horses as required by law but the individual in-dividual can keep and make use of the horse. Those desiring to participate in this program should request an application from the BLM District Office at 154 North Main in Cedar City, Utah. Qualified applicants will be notified by the district office when excess horses are available A Veterans Administration budget of $16.4 billion for fiscal year 1976 is the largest in history and double that of 1970. |