16 U.S.C. § 460m–6 — Free-roaming horses

(a) In general. The Secretary must allow free-roaming horses to live in the Ozark National Scenic Riverways. Within 180 days after November 12, 1996, the Secretary had to sign an agreement with the Missouri Wild Horse League, or another qualified nonprofit, to manage the horses. That agreement must keep management cost-effective and limit the government's spending to just the cost of monitoring the agreement. The Secretary must issue permits for enough pasture to support the herd's historic size — no fewer horses than existed on November 12, 1996, and no more than 50. (b) Removal of horses. The Secretary cannot remove free-roaming horses from federal land in the riverway, or help or allow anyone else to remove them, except in three situations: (1) the nonprofit managing the horses seriously fails to follow the agreement, after being given notice and 90 days to respond; (2) the herd grows past 50 horses; or (3) there's an emergency, or it's needed to protect public health and safety, as the agreement defines those terms. (c) Construction; liability of United States. This section does not make the United States liable for any damage the free-roaming horses cause to property, whether that property is inside or outside the riverway's boundaries.