RENO, Nev. (AP) -- Federal land managers are seeking public comment on their plan to remove about 2,500 wild horses in northern Nevada.

Bureau of Land Management officials say the proposed gather north of Gerlach in Washoe and Humboldt counties is needed to achieve the "appropriate management level" for mustangs in the area.

They maintain it also is needed to prevent further range deterioration stemming from the current horse overpopulation in the areas.

Plans call for the gather to begin about Dec. 1 and continue through the end of February 2010.

Public comment on the BLM's preliminary environmental assessment is being accepted through Nov. 12.

The BLM also has begun removing about 420 "excess" wild horses about 30 to 45 miles southeast of Winnemucca in Pershing and Humboldt counties.