BLM promises to pay contractors during shutdown

摘要

Dozens of ranchers and other landowners contracted by the Bureau of Land Management to care for thousands of federally protected wild horses and burros will once again start getting paid as the partial government shutdown drags on. The news comes after several owners of privately contracted corrals and pastures told E&E News this week they've not been paid since the shutdown began last month (Greenwire, Jan. 17). In an emailed statement to E&E News late yesterday, BLM said it is aware that "many" of the contracted landowners "that undertake this work on behalf of the BLM have experienced delays in the payment of invoices for the services provided." But the statement adds that BLM "is taking steps to remedy this situation and ensure that payments to vendors are made so that the care of the horses and burros continues." The agency says the payments "will be made with prior year appropriations funding, which will cover the near-term maintenance of the animals." The statement does not indicate how much money is available, nor does it say when the payments will begin. It also does not say how long payments would continue if the shutdown goes on indefinitely, as President Trump has vowed unless Congress agrees to fund his U.S.-Mexico border wall.