USDA Forest ServiceFS-2200-28 (10/15)NoticeOF INTENT TO IMPOUND UNAUTHORIZED LIVESTOCK(Ref: FSM 5330)Notice is hereby given that pursuant to Regulation of the Secretary of Agriculture, 36 C.F.R. 262.10, all unauthorized livestock found upon National Forest System Lands or other lands under Forest Service control within the following area may be impounded by the United States Forest Service on or after July 16, 2026 (date), unless said livestock are removed permanently from the described lands.Private parties that attempt to reclaim their private livestock on National Forest Lands must comply with all applicable law, policy, and procedures. No non-privately-owned horse may be removed from the Black Mesa and Lakeside Ranger District on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests without compliance with applicable state and federal law, and until the motion for temporary restraining order in above-caption lawsuit is resolved on or before July 15, 2026. From now until July 15, 2026, all non-privately-owned horses will be subject to all provisions and protections of the Wild Free-Roaming Horse and Burros Act. Federal law prohibits causing or allowing the inhumane treatment or harassment of and the unauthorized removal or attempted removal of any wild horse from the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests by third parties, subject to criminal penalties.TOPOGRAPHIC UNIT, LEGAL SUBDIVISION OR ALLOTMENTDistrict wide on the following Ranger Districts: Black Mesa Ranger District and Lakeside Ranger DistrictNATIONAL FOREST OR GRASSLANDApache-Sitgreaves National ForestsRANGER DISTRICTBlack Mesa & LakesideSTATEArizonaThe livestock are described as follows:Any unbranded livestock, or any livestock bearing brands of previously unauthorized livestock which are found to be making continuing or subsequent unauthorized use within twelve months after publication of this notice may be impounded without further notice.After the impoundment, owners of unauthorized livestock may regain possession thereof only by first showing proof of ownership and reimbursing the United States in full for the expense incurred in impounding, feeding, and care of such livestock, or if impoundment costs exceed fair market value, by a payment equal to the fair market value of the impounded livestock. All impounded animals not redeemed within 5 days after notice of sale of impounded livestock has been published in a local newspaper, posted in the county courthouse and in one or more local post offices, will be offered for sale at public auction.Livestock not sold at public sale may be sold at private sale or condemned and destroyed or otherwise disposed of as provided by Regulation 36 C.F.R. 262.10(f).Signed at Springerville, AZ this 1st day of May 2026SIGNATURE OF AUTHORIZED OFFICER/s/Joshua MillerNAME (PRINT)Joshua MillerTITLEApache-Sitgreaves Acting ForestSupervisor
Published in the White Mountain Independent: # May 8, 2026000925
