Hoeven sponsors bill to protect horses living in Theodore Roosevelt National Park

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Sen. John Hoeven has sponsored a bill to keep horses in Theodore Roosevelt National Park.

The bill will require the park to maintain a “genetically diverse” herd of at least 150 horses.

It also prohibits the removal of wild horses except to improve genetic diversity, to protect public safety, or in case of emergency.

If passed, the interior secretary would have to develop a management plan within 120 days.

It would also require the secretary to provide to the public information on the herd such as population, herd structure and health.

“We’ve introduced bi-partisan legislation with Senator Kaine, of Virginia, to make sure that the National Park Service maintains horses in Theodore Roosevelt National Park, and that’s important,” said Sen. John Hoeven (R-ND) “Not only because people love horses and want to be able to go out there today and see them, but also to make sure that their there for future generations.”

In 2002, National Park Service developed a plan to remove the horses from the park.

That plan was ended last year.