The United States District Court for the District of Colorado has overturned the Bureau of Land Management’s Adoption Incentive Program (AIP) due to violations of federal laws, including the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the Administrative Procedures Act (APA). The program, which offered a financial incentive for adopting unhandled wild horses and burros, was found to incentivize mistreatment and slaughter of these animals.
The lawsuit against the AIP was brought by Eubanks & Associates, PLLC on behalf of organizations like American Wild Horse Conservation and Skydog Sanctuary. Judge William J. Martínez ruled that the BLM’s 2022 Instruction Memorandum establishing the AIP violated federal law by not following proper public notice, comment, and environmental review processes. The court ordered the BLM to adhere to necessary procedures before implementing similar programs in the future.
The court’s decision highlights concerns about fraud and abuse within the AIP and emphasizes the importance of protecting wild horses and burros from exploitation. Advocates like Suzanne Roy and Clare Staples praised the ruling as a step toward ensuring humane and responsible management of these animals on public lands, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability in wildlife management programs. Organizations like AWHC are dedicated to working with the BLM to develop responsible strategies for managing wild horses and burros.
