Where Did All the Horses Go? The Alameda Agricultural Advisory Committee

Supervisor David Haubert has recognized the need to reevaluate the standards applied to horse ranches. He has already engaged two townhall meetings that resulted in the county Agricultural Advisory Committee (AAC) conducting a historical review of public records to rediscover the Equine Conditional Use Permit Streamlining Project (ECUPSP) with supporting documents. Already, Planning Director Albert Lopez has collaborated with the AAC to form a Technical Advisory Committee to evaluate and fulfill the recommendations of the Equine Conditional Use Permit Streamlining Project.

Over ten years ago, Supervisor Miley recognized the need for increased agricultural infrastructure to allow the horse, wine, and conservation communities to thrive. He organized those communities, lead extensive negotiations, and recruited Supervisor Haubert to support the 2022 Measure D ballot initiative. Their leadership and support resulted in 70% of voters affirming their desire to support the necessary services that the horse, wine and conservation industries provide the community. Our land uses are recognized key to preventing urban sprawl in the Bay Area.

Unfortunately, the false allegations of environmental pollution and threats of fines and jail time are not gone. The targeting of horse ranches for subjective review, and requirements of expensive consultations with conservation programs being required for horse ranches are occurring NOW. Ranch owners that have been subject to these reviews are so overwhelmed they discuss abandoning their horse facilities and/or moving out of the area. If you own a horse facility, or keep your horse at a facility, be aware, that facility is on a list to be subject to an expensive, overwhelming review process. Please contact Alameda County Equestrian and Friends to see if your ranch is on the list.