Proposed Action Title/Type: Hamilton Wild Horse and Burro Facility - Montana
Hamilton Wild Horse and Burro Facility
DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED ACTION: A proposed wild horse and burro (WH&B) facility would be built using temporary, portable materials on private land in Hamilton, Montana. Under a Blanket Purchase Agreement, BLM will award money for services provided to process WH&B to include: maintaining, feeding, sorting, marketing (e.g., conducting educational clinics and WH&B adoption events), training, and trimming of hooves. Veterinary services for WH&B (e.g., vaccinating, testing for communicable diseases, gelding, veterinary care) may also be performed on site as needed. To contain and process WH&B, corrals would comprise government-furnished property (GFP; livestock panels and a chute). The total area planned for the main corral would encompass less than 1.5 acres in an area that has historically been used to contain and feed horses and consists of unvegetated bare ground. In addition to GFP used to contains WH&B, existing contractor-owned training facilities (e.g., an existing riding arena) might also be used during processing, training or educational clinics. Vehicle access for educational clinics and adoptions would occur on existing driveways, with parking adjacent. Total number of WH&B at the facility would vary and be subject to spacing requirements stipulated in the Statement of Work (SOW; attachment B) as well as Comprehensive Animal Welfare Program (CAWP) standards outlined in PIM 2021-002 and PIM 2023-041. The SOW contains provisions regarding animal holding and care, security, safety, sanitation, windbreaks, feed and water, the use of handling tools/equipment, low-stress procedures, and ensuring humane care and treatment. Facility design and care/handling of WH&B would follow requirements stipulated in the SOW and CAWP standards. Placement of animals into private care at adoption events held at the facility would comply with BLM Policy H-4750-2, Adoption of Wild Horses and Burros. Use of the facility would be April 15- September 30 annually, with the total number of events negotiated annually between BLM and the contractor. No surface disturbance would occur as a result of the proposed action.