03.08.24

Congress Passes Hoeven Language Directing NPS to Maintain Wild Horses at TRNP

WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven today announced that Congress has passed a provision he authored directing the National Park Service (NPS) to maintain the wild horses at Theodore Roosevelt National Park (TRNP).

 

  • As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Hoeven secured the provision in the annual Interior-Environment Appropriations bill passed by Congress this week.
    • Hoeven’s language directs NPS to maintain “the historic scene commensurate with the historic herds during the period when President Theodore Roosevelt was a rancher in the area.”
    • Hoeven also continues working with NPS officials to reach a resolution that maintains the wild horses at the park.
    • Hoeven has repeatedly raised this priority with NPS officials, including Director Charles Sams, Midwest Regional Director Bert Frost and TRNP Superintendent Angie Richman.
    • As part of these efforts, Hoeven secured a 30-day extension of the public comment period on the agency’s proposed options for managing the herd.
    • The senator is pressing NPS to strongly consider the broad public support expressed by North Dakotans and other stakeholders for maintaining the wild horses.
    • NPS’s final environmental assessment is expected to be released this spring.

 

“The wild horses at Theodore Roosevelt National Park are a central part of the region’s history and character,” said Hoeven. “Teddy Roosevelt’s time ranching on this land was a formative experience that shaped his life and presidency. It makes sense to maintain this park’s wildlife as it existed during this important period, an approach that has overwhelming public support. That’s exactly what our effort, which has now passed Congress, calls on NPS to do. This is especially timely given we expect the park service to announce their decision next month.”

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