SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 58

(By Senators Maynard, Beach, Cline, Karnes, Rucker, Smith, Stollings, and Sypolt)

[Originating in the Committee on Natural Resources; Reported on March 8, 2018]

Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study options for solving the crisis presented by the abandonment of large horses on private lands in southern West Virginia.

Whereas, In West Virginia and surrounding states, many thousands of horses have been turned out onto former and active mine sites and other areas; and

Whereas, Many of these horses die or come near death during the winter due to poor food sources and are denied basic feeding, farrier care, or veterinary care; and

Whereas, Many of these horses go to the overseas meat market when locals round them up and take them to auctions; and

Whereas, Many of these horses are killed or injured via gunshots and on the roadways; and

Whereas, Many of these horses continue to breed and inbreed year after year; and

Whereas, The presence of these abandoned horses adversely impacts natural resources and processes by threatening plants and species, changing the plant community composition, reducing biodiversity, causing soil compaction, and interrupting native wildlife ecology; and

Whereas, The United States Park Service had considerable success in managing the feral horse population on Assateague Island in ways that may be instructive for efforts to do the same in West Virginia; and

Whereas, It would benefit the horses, the environment, and the local residents to explore the possibility of developing a program to manage the abandoned horses; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby requested to study options for solving the crisis presented by the abandonment of large horses on private lands in southern West Virginia; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the study include an analysis of possible legislative changes to facilitate cooperation with land and mine owners, such as eliminating administrative hurdles to accessing and obtaining abandoned livestock, and providing legal protection to persons accessing and/or removing abandoned horses; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the study include methods to safely round up nonferal, adoptable mares and foals, geld colts, and stallions, and euthanize severely injured or dangerous feral horses with the aid of voluntary, licensed veterinarians and veterinary students; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the study include an analysis of the advisability of imposing severe fines on persons abandoning horses on reclaimed or active mine sites or falsely claiming ownership of horses that have been abandoned on such sites; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the study analyze the feasibility of developing a program to devise and implement strategies for management of the abandoned horse population with goals including, but not limited to: maintaining genetic diversity; ensuring food and space availability; protecting reproductive capacity; reducing the negative impact of horses on key species, communities, and natural processes; educating the general public regarding the presence of the horses and their ecological impact; and exploring the possibility of providing a reasonable opportunity for visitors to view horses safely, and the potential for developing such opportunities for tourism purposes; and, be it

Further Resolved, That input shall be sought from appropriate state, local, and private agencies and organizations, including the Division of Natural Resources, the Department of Agriculture, and the Division of Tourism; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2019, on its findings, conclusions, and other recommendations, together with drafts of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this study, prepare a report, and draft necessary legislation be paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.