Hoeven, Kaine Introduce Bipartisan Legislation Requiring Interior Department to Maintain Wild Horses at Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Hoeven, Kaine Introduce Bipartisan Legislation Requiring Interior Department to Maintain Wild Horses at Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Senators' Legislation Requires Park Service Maintain a Genetically-Diverse Herd at TRNP, Plan for Management & Public Reporting on Herd's Health

WASHINGTON - Senators John Hoeven (R-N.D.) and Tim Kaine (D-Va.) today introduced bipartisan legislation to maintain wild horses at Theodore Roosevelt National Park (TRNP). The bill would require the Secretary of the Interior to:

• Maintain a genetically-diverse herd of no fewer than 150 horses in TRNP's South Unit.
  • The Department of the Interior is prohibited from removing horses from the park except as part of a plan to improve genetic diversity, in the case of an emergency or to protect public health and safety.
• Within 120 days of the bill's enactment, develop a plan to provide for the management of horses in the park.
• On an annual basis, make available to the public information regarding the population, structure and health of the horse herd.

"The wild horses at Theodore Roosevelt National Park are not only a central part of the visitor experience, but they are essential to maintaining the historic scene consistent with President Teddy Roosevelt's time in the Dakota Territory," said Senator Hoeven. "This legislation is about holding the National Park Service to its word, ensuring a plan is in place to manage the horses and maintaining a healthy, genetically-diverse herd of at least 150 horses for the benefit of North Dakotans and visitors, now and into the future."

"The wild ponies of Chincoteague and Assateague Islands have drawn visitors to Virginia for generations, and the wild horses in Theodore Roosevelt National Park have done the same in my colleague's state," said Senator Kaine. "I'm glad to partner with Senator Hoeven on this bill to ensure the continuation of this majestic population."

The legislation comes as part of Hoeven's efforts to ensure the National Park Service (NPS) maintains a herd of free-roaming horses at TRNP on a permanent basis. The senator previously:

• As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, passed a provision in annual funding legislation directing NPS to maintain "the historic scene commensurate with the historic herds during the period when President Theodore Roosevelt was a rancher in the area."
• Advanced this priority with NPS officials, including Midwest Regional Director Bert Frost.
  • On April 25, 2024, NPS formally terminated its proposed removal of horses at TRNP under the environmental assessment process initiated in 2022, and as a result, horses continue to be maintained at the park.

-###-