Provide water for wild horses! Phase II Bella Vista Ranch development
Horse advocates are asking people to send this letter to the Reno City Council.
Dear Ms/Sir:
Phase II of the Bella Vista Ranch development (between South Meadows Parkway and Rio Wrangler Parkway is approved.
The 77-acre housing development will fence off several hundred horses from their only water source as soon as construction begins.
The development plan (p. 75) originally called for maintaining the horses access to water, but that provision has since been removed and there is no alternative plans for ensuring the horses' access to water!
I am asking for a solution that provides access to water for these horses!
The Virginia Range mustangs are loved by Reno residents and are part of what makes living here special. They also attract tourists and visitors to our area. They must be protected.
If this development moves forward as planned, several hundred horses will be fenced off from their water source.
The horses -- stallions, mares and their small foals -- will stand outside the fencing and slowly die of thirst.
This will lead to public outcry, protests and a PR black eye for Reno.
We understand that the development itself has already been approved, but every additional approval brings the project closer to construction and disaster for the wild horses!
City and the developer must work together to create additional water source for these horses. This must be required in the development plan.
The horses are important cultural, historic and tourism resource for the entire Reno/Carson City area, so the impacts of development decisions on the horses go far beyond the City of Reno.
Thank you!
Sincerely,
Name:
Address: