S 1377: Theodore Roosevelt National Park Wild Horses Protection Act

S 1377 in plain English: This bill requires the Department of the Interior to maintain a herd of at least 150 genetically diverse wild horses in the South Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota. It restricts when horses can be removed from the park and requires officials to develop a management plan and publish annual findings on the herd.

Stated purpose

The bill directs the Department of the Interior to maintain a herd of at least 150 genetically diverse wild horses in the South Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park, and to develop a management plan that protects the horses while avoiding harm to the park's natural resources.

Key points

• Requires a herd of no fewer than 150 genetically diverse horses in the park's South Unit
• Prohibits removal of horses except for genetic diversity, emergencies, or public health and safety
• Mandates a management plan to protect horses without harming other park resources
• Requires annual monitoring and public reporting on herd population, structure, and health

Arguments supporters make

• Wild horses have been part of Theodore Roosevelt National Park for decades and are a beloved part of its history and visitor experience — protecting them preserves that heritage.
• Setting a minimum population of 150 horses ensures the herd stays genetically healthy and is not quietly reduced or eliminated through administrative decisions without public accountability.
• Annual monitoring and a formal management plan bring transparency and science-based oversight to how the herd is managed, protecting both the horses and the park's ecosystem.

Arguments opponents make

• National Park Service scientists have warned that a growing horse population can overgraze and damage the park's native grasslands, and a hard minimum population floor could make it harder to protect that ecosystem.
• Restricting horse removal could limit the Park Service's flexibility to manage the land according to its core mission of preserving natural conditions, potentially prioritizing one introduced species over broader ecological health.
• Mandating a specific population level and 120-day planning deadline through legislation removes discretion from wildlife management professionals who are best positioned to respond to changing conditions on the ground.

Tradeoffs

The bill prioritizes keeping a minimum number of wild horses in the park, which may limit the Park Service's ability to reduce the herd if ecological damage occurs; balancing the cultural and visitor value of the horses against the park's mandate to protect native natural resources is the central tension.

Current status in Congress: Passed Senate.

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