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For Immediate Release
Monday, March 14, 2005
Contact: Kathleen M. Joyce
202-225-3415
Click here for Printer Friendly Version


HOUSE PASSES JONES BILL TO PROTECT CAPE LOOKOUT HORSES

“Today’s action was a win for the horses of Shackleford Banks.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 126 – legislation introduced by Representative Walter B. Jones (R-NC) to update the science-based parameters that govern management of the free roaming horses on Shackleford Banks. The bill would amend current law – which permits 100 free roaming horses on the Banks – to allow “not less than 110 free roaming horses, with a target population of between 120 to 130 free roaming horses.” H.R. 126 passed by voice vote and now moves to the Senate for consideration.

“Today’s action was a win for the horses of Shackleford Banks. H.R. 126 will protect the viability of the herd so people can enjoy them for years to come. The bill is based on sound science and is supported by the National Park Service, the scientific experts, and the local community,” Jones said.

In 1998 the President signed Congressman Jones’ original Shackleford Banks Wild Horses Protection Act. That bill set the framework for using sound science as the basis for cooperative management of the horses by the Park Service and local stakeholders.

H.R. 126 seeks to improve that law by updating its science-based parameters. “Numerous studies by world-renowned scientists – Dr. Dan Rubenstein of Princeton and Dr. Gus Cothran of the University of Kentucky – have confirmed that in order to maintain the herd’s long-term viability, its optimum size is around 120 animals. The experts also agree that the population should not dip below 110 and that it should be allowed to expand periodically to 130 or more in order to sustain proper genetic diversity in the herd. H.R. 126 will codify this scientific consensus into law,” Congressman Jones explained.

During the 108th Congress, the House passed a similar version of the same bill, H.R. 2055. The Senate’s Natural Parks Subcommittee held hearings on the bill in late September, but the session came to a close before the Senate could vote on the measure.

“I’d like to thank my House colleagues once again for their bipartisan support of this legislation,” Jones said. “I now urge the Senate to quickly approve the bill so the President can finally sign it into law.”

For additional information or to schedule an interview with Congressman Walter B. Jones please contact Kristen Quigley at (202) 225-3415.

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