Wild Horses and Burros in Economic Perspective

Abstract

Wild horses and burros are a unique economic asset that enjoys federal protections that are stronger than those afforded to most other wildlife. Management challenges are evident in current populations that exceed targets by as much as four times. The imbalance between management targets and reality has grown in recent years, concomitant with mounting fiscal and opportunity costs. Programmatic tweaks have not been able to materially change the reality on the ground. Continuation on the current trajectory is unsustainable. An economic perspective provides key insights into the management problem and provides clarity about the requirements for a durable solution. A comprehensive reform is needed to achieve biological and fiscal sustainability. This includes initial excess removals to reduce overpopulation and then strict adherence to targets. Such a program offers a real present discounted fiscal savings of over $1 billion.