Theodore Roosevelt National Park Wild Horses Protection Act
Summary
SB 1377, the Theodore Roosevelt National Park Wild Horses Protection Act, would direct the Secretary of the Interior to maintain a genetically diverse herd of horses in the South Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park at a minimum population of 150 horses. The bill also requires the Secretary to develop, within 120 days of enactment, a management plan for the herd that is cost-effective and designed to avoid adverse impacts to the park’s natural resources.
The measure further restricts the removal of horses from federal land within the park boundaries. Removal would generally be prohibited unless it is part of a plan to maintain a genetically diverse herd, or unless an emergency or public health and safety concern requires it. The Secretary would also be required to monitor the herd annually and make public findings on population, structure, and health.
Impact
The bill would amend Section 5 of the Act of April 25, 1947, which governs administration and development of Theodore Roosevelt National Park, by adding a new subsection specifically addressing horse management. It would create a statutory duty for the Department of the Interior to preserve a minimum wild horse population in the park and to publicly report on herd conditions each year. The practical effect would be to limit federal discretion to remove horses from the park and to formalize long-term management obligations for the National Park Service and the Secretary of the Interior.
Sentiment
Based on the bill text and the absence of recorded committee debate or votes in the provided context, the measure appears to be framed as a preservation and management bill rather than a controversial policy overhaul. The Senate passed the bill, suggesting at least chamber-level support for protecting the park’s horse herd. The available record does not show recorded opposition in the provided materials, but the subject matter implies a balance between wildlife preservation and park resource management.
Contention
The main point of contention is likely the tension between preserving a minimum wild horse herd and protecting park resources, since the bill explicitly requires management that avoids adverse impacts to natural resources. Another likely issue is federal authority over removals: the bill sharply limits when horses may be removed, which could concern park managers or conservation advocates who favor more flexible population control. Supporters would likely emphasize heritage, genetic diversity, and public interest in maintaining the herd, while opponents may focus on ecological impacts, carrying capacity, and operational constraints on the National Park Service.
A BILL for an Act to create and enact a new section to chapter 54-60 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the Theodore Roosevelt national park working group; to provide a report; and to provide an appropriation.