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WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Corolla wild horses have roamed the Outer Banks since the 16th Century. Now members of North Carolina's congressional delegation are fighting to make sure the herds' future is protected.

A bill designed to protect the Corolla wild horses that roam in and around the Currituck National Wildlife Refuge, cleared a hurdle this week, passing without opposition in the U.S. House.

"These horses are part of our heritage and I thank both parties for passing this bill," said Rep. Walter Jones, R-3rd District.

The bill would allow a herd of between 110 and 130 horses to roam free in and around the refuge. A number experts say this will prevent inbreeding.

Right now the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services' horse management plan only assumes responsibility for about 60 horses and it opposes Jones' bill.

"We need to get the bill passed to protect the horses, to protect the integrity of the herd," said Jones. "Fish and wild life can care less about the horses, that's the problem."

The Department of Interior, Fish and Wildlife Services’ says its mission is to protect the species native to the refuge like the piping plover. They say Corolla wild horses are not considered native.

"Basically we don't want them to have effects on the vegetation, to consume too much of it, to compete with the native fish and wildlife in the area," said Jim Kurth, the U.S. FWS National Wildlife Refuge System chief.

He added Fish and Wildlife isn't anti-horses.

"I don't see this has to be a battle between horses and piping plover," said Kurth.

He says the FWS is willing to work with groups like the Corolla Wild Horse Fund to preserve and protect the herd but wants their new horse management plan to be based on its current study into the impact the herd has on the refuge's ecology, not on legislation.

"When we get the best science then our management decisions will reflect that science," said Kurth. "If the studies show there could be more horses accommodated then we can talk about that."

The bill still needs to be approved by the Senate and executive branch.

Jones says senators Hagan and Burr have shown support for the bill and if it isn't made law this year, he'll keep fighting.

"The people of the state of North Carolina have a right to protect their heritage if they believe it's important," said Jones.