EMERSON FILES BILL TO SAVE WILD HORSES

U.S. Rep. Bill Emerson introduced legislation Wednesday that would protect 20 to 30 wild horses roaming the Ozark National Scenic Riverways in Shannon, Carter and Oregon counties.

Because Congress is in its final week of the session, Emerson said he does not expect any action on the bill. He said he plans to reintroduce it on the first day of the new Congress in January.

Emerson also sent a letter to Art Sullivan, superintendent of the Ozark National Scenic Riverways at Van Buren, asking that he delay any action to relocate the horses until the 104th Congress has the opportunity to deal with the issue.

Sullivan recently advised Doug Kennedy, attorney for the Missouri Wild Horse League, that since all administrative efforts had failed to keep the horses in place, the only way to stop removal would be through legislation.

"I'm initiating that step," said Emerson. "We've exhausted all administrative diplomacy possible, and if legislation is what it takes to make the Park Service and Interior Department back off, so be it."

Emerson said the horses are not hurting anybody and should be left alone.

Park Service officials have said the horses should be removed because they are a threat to the park's environment and are not native to the area.