State and Reno officials outline fencing, public-safety work for Virginia Range horses; advocates urge broader solutions

State and local officials briefed the Washoe County Board of County Commissioners on Aug. 26 about ongoing efforts to reduce public-safety risks and ecological damage from feral and stray horses on the Virginia Range, describing recent fencing projects, cooperative agreements and limited funding sources.

"They are managed under NRS 569, which we have the sole authority, in the state of Nevada, the Department of Ag does, to manage feral and astray livestock," Nevada Department of Agriculture Director Guy Ciochichia said, explaining the state's statutory role in managing the animals.

Why it matters: Large, unmanaged horse herds on the Virginia Range are associated with traffic collisions, damage to habitat, and disputes over water access. County and state officials say fencing and other safety measures can reduce collisions on roads that border or cross the range. Speakers at the meeting also argued for additional federal, state and nonprofit action on population control, water provision and humane relocation.

What officials described

- Fencing and safety: The Department of Agriculture and cooperating partners have constructed and repaired fencing on several segments of the Virginia Range, starting at Jumbo and working north, and coordinated fence termini with the City of Reno to avoid creating "funnels" that would trap animals against roadways.

- Funding and authority: The department said there is no general fund dedicated to the horses; management is funded through brand-recording and inspection fees and stray-livestock fees. The department added it had previously received federal funds (USDA/APHIS) and an earmark to support public-safety fencing work and relocation efforts.

- Reported collisions: The department recounted recent vehicle-horse collisions on or near the range: 37 reported crashes in 2024 and prior-year counts ranging from the low 20s to the mid-40s in earlier years, prompting the state to prioritize public-safety fencing.

Local partners and project details

Garth Ochsall of JUB Engineers, representing the City of Reno, described a multi-phase fencing project near Steamboat Creek and South Meadows intended to protect urban edges, maintain equine access to water where possible, and tie in to city and state fencing with cattle guards at appropriate road crossings.

"We took a look at how can we maintain access for the public while also keeping horses away from the urban area," Ochsall said, summarizing the cityled design and coordination that opened about 3,000 linear feet of creek access for horses and replaced badly deteriorated fence sections.

Advocates and residents: broader solutions urged

Public commenters and several nonprofit groups urged broader measures including transparent tracking of horse numbers, relocation of animals from urban-adjacent areas, increased adoption efforts, and fertility-control programs carried out at scale. Some speakers urged federal involvement and called for a coordinated interagency strategy.

"The horses are in a gray area between livestock and wild animals," said a public commenter with equine-management experience. "They need to be classified and managed consistently for the welfare of the animals and the public safety of the region."

What officials said about next steps

State officials said fencing work will continue, that they are coordinating with the City of Reno and federal land managers where appropriate, and that public-safety removals and relocations occur under cooperative agreements with partners. The department requested continued reporting and close coordination with local agencies, and repeated that the statutory authority for feral and astray livestock resides with the Nevada Department of Agriculture.

Ending

Washoe County commissioners and members of the public called for a multi-pronged response combining fencing, adoption and humane population control. Officials stressed funding and jurisdictional limits: the Department of Agriculture said its ongoing program is funded primarily by livestock industry fees and targeted federal grants, and that long-term management will require continued interagency cooperation and possibly additional funding sources.