04.25.24

Hoeven: NPS to Maintain Wild Horses at Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Announcement Follows Senator’s Efforts, Legislation Calling on Park Service to Maintain Hors

WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven today announced that he has secured a commitment from the National Park Service (NPS) to maintain the wild horses at Theodore Roosevelt National Park (TRNP). The NPS will immediately terminate its proposed removal of horses at TRNP under the environmental assessment (EA) process initiated in 2022, and as a result, the existing management plan for the wild horses will remain in place. This will allow for a healthy herd of wild horses to be maintained at the park, managed in a way to support genetic diversity among the herd and preserve the park’s natural resources. This follows Hoeven’s successful efforts to:

  • As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, pass 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.”
  • Secure a 30-day extension of the public comment period on the agency’s proposed options for managing the herd, giving the public additional time to submit feedback to the agency.
  • Advance this priority with NPS officials, including Director Charles Sams, Midwest Regional Director Bert Frost and TRNP Superintendent Angie Richman.
    • The senator repeatedly pressed NPS to strongly consider the broad public support expressed by North Dakotans and other stakeholders for maintaining the wild horses.

“These wild horses are emblematic of President Theodore Roosevelt’s time in North Dakota, a formative experience that shaped his presidency and lasting legacy,” said Senator Hoeven. “Given the broad public support for maintaining the wild horses at Theodore Roosevelt National Park, as well as the measure we passed through Congress, this is the right call by NPS. We appreciate Director Sams, Regional Director Frost and Superintendent Richman for working with us on this priority and being responsive to the input we and the public provided.” 

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