Peace Garden News

During a recent hearing held by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, a commitment was made by Katharine MacGregor, nominee for Deputy Secretary of the Interior, to work on legislation aimed at protecting wild horses in Theodore Roosevelt National Park (TRNP), as secured by Senator John Hoeven.

The senator emphasized ongoing efforts to ensure the National Park Service (NPS) fulfills its promise to protect these horses. "We continue our efforts to ensure that the National Park Service fulfills its commitment to protecting wild horses in Theodore Roosevelt National Park. At the same time, we are working to secure Kate MacGregor's confirmation as Interior Deputy Secretary, and I look forward to working with her to implement a long-term management plan that preserves a healthy, genetically diverse herd of horses for future generations to enjoy,” stated Hoeven.

Hoeven has been actively working to ensure that the NPS maintains a permanent herd of free-roaming horses in the park. As part of his role on the Senate Appropriations Committee, he succeeded in passing a provision into annual funding legislation that instructs the NPS to keep "the historic scene commensurate with the historic herds during the period when President Theodore Roosevelt was a rancher in the area." He has also advanced this priority through interaction with NPS officials, including Midwest Regional Director Bert Frost.

NPS had formally decided on April 25, 2024, to terminate its proposed removal of horses at TRNP. This decision followed an environmental assessment process initiated in 2022 and resulted in the continuation of horse maintenance at the park.