PRIA Logo™
Title 16, ConservationRelease 119-73not60

§460m–6 Free-roaming Horses

Title 16 › Chapter 1— NATIONAL PARKS, MILITARY PARKS, MONUMENTS, AND SEASHORES › Subchapter LXX— OZARK NATIONAL SCENIC RIVERWAYS › § 460m–6

Last updated Apr 5, 2026|Official source

Summary

Within 180 days after November 12, 1996, the Secretary must allow free‑roaming horses in the Ozark National Scenic Riverways and make a cost‑effective management agreement with the Missouri Wild Horse League or another qualified nonprofit. Federal spending is limited to monitoring, and pasture permits must keep the herd at least the number on November 12, 1996 and no more than 50. Horses can be removed from federal lands inside the Riverways only if the nonprofit fails after 90 days’ notice, the herd goes over 50, or an emergency threatens health or safety. The United States is not responsible for property damage caused by the horses inside or outside the Riverways.

Full Legal Text

Title 16, §460m–6

Conservation, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)The Secretary, in accordance with this section, shall allow free-roaming horses in the Ozark National Scenic Riverways. Within 180 days after November 12, 1996, the Secretary shall enter into an agreement with the Missouri Wild Horse League or another qualified nonprofit entity to provide for management of free-roaming horses. The agreement shall provide for cost-effective management of the horses and limit Federal expenditures to the costs of monitoring the agreement. The Secretary shall issue permits for adequate pastures to accommodate the historic population level of the free-roaming horse herd, which shall be not less than the number of horses in existence on November 12, 1996, nor more than 50.
(b)The Secretary may not remove, or assist in, or permit the removal of any free-roaming horses from Federal lands within the boundary of the Ozark National Scenic Riverways unless—
(1)the entity with whom the Secretary has entered into the agreement under subsection (a), following notice and a 90-day response period, substantially fails to meet the terms and conditions of the agreement;
(2)the number of free-roaming horses exceeds 50; or
(3)in the case of an emergency or to protect public health and safety, as defined in the agreement.
(c)Nothing in this section shall be construed as creating liability for the United States for any damages caused by the free-roaming horses to property located inside or outside the boundaries of the Ozark National Scenic Riverways.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Codification November 12, 1996, referred to in subsec. (a), was in the original “enactment of this section” and “the date of the enactment of this section”, respectively, which were translated as meaning the date of enactment of Pub. L. 104–333, which amended this section generally, to reflect the probable intent of Congress.

Amendments

1996—Pub. L. 104–333 amended section generally, substituting provisions relating to free-roaming horses for provisions relating to Ozark National Scenic Riverways Commission.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

16 U.S.C. § 460m–6

Title 16, Conservation

Last Updated

Apr 5, 2026

Release point: 119-73not60