Elko County opposed to horse refuge
ELKO -- Elko County commissioners have reaffirmed their opposition to a proposed wild horse refuge at the Winecup-Gamble Ranch north of Wells.
Commissioners voted 4-1 Thursday to send a letter to Sens. Harry Reid and John Ensign and the Interior Department opposing the ranch's proposal to accept thousands of wild horses.
Commissioners said the proposed sanctuary won't solve the horse problem in Nevada and could hurt rangeland resources, neighboring ranches and highway safety.
The ranch's proposal called for taking 8,000 horses initially and to increase the number of horses by one-third in future years.
Bryan Fuell, Wells field manager for the Bureau of Land Management, said his agency would work closely with the ranch.
Assemblyman John Carpenter said controlling wild horses is practically impossible.
