The Court issued an order adopting a Stipulated Settlement Agreement between the Plaintiffs (Heber herd advocates) and the Defendants (Forest Service).
It was considered by many wild horse advocates to be a historic settlement and one of the most significant victories to preserve wild horses in the United States.
Included in the agreement were the following:
USFS agreed the Heber Wild Horse Territory still exists and has not been dissolved.
The USFS agreed that the wild horses are by law an integral part and component of the natural system of the public lands, as expressed by Congress in the Act.
The USFS will work with the public in the development of a written Heber Wild Horse Territory Management Strategy.
USFS will refrain from any gathering or removing of horses within the Heber Wild Horse Territory and the Black Mesa and Lakeside Ranger Districts until the USFS completes, with public involvement, an analysis and appropriate environmental document that develops the written Heber Wild Horse Territory Management Strategy.
USFS will involve the public in scoping for the analysis.
Beautiful Heber band stallion "Hairdo" 2017