edward
11-03-2007, 10:07 AM
Our article in the November issue of The Arizona Horse Connection has just hit all the feed stores.
Here's a copy:
Proposed Zoning changes in Pinal County threaten Horsemen’s Rights
Pinal County’s zoning regulations have been on the books since 1962. That’s a mere 45 years, but all of a sudden a draft version of new regulations appeared on line on the county’s website on or after August 24. Without any input from the horse community, nor any word of the changes posted in the News or other media they proposed to limit horses to 2 per acre in rural zones, amended commercial use from 5 acres minimum to 20 acres minimum and developed unreasonable setbacks for livestock buildings. Luckily, some wonderful horse person stumbled across the information and began to pass the word. Clubs, Associations and individuals forwarded emails to members. And, The Arizona State Horsemen’s Assn sent a special alert to all coalition members through its’ statewide communication network.
As a result, Pinal County was bombarded with phone calls and email comments posted on their site. That put the county in an awkward position and just as quick as the changes were drafted they were revised. The revised draft now reads that there is no limit on livestock for rural properties that are 2 acres and above. So that’s the end of the story, right? No, wrong! We won, didn’t we? No, not really! If we walk away now, we are leaving the door open. There is still the commercial use change to 20 acres minimum and the setbacks that would make it impossible for some property owners to erect barns etc and then there is still a 2 horse/livestock (cattle, sheep or goats) maximum for property owners with less than 2 acres.
Some of us may say that is still pretty good. We should compromise to show good faith. The simple truth is that when you compromise you give up something; some of your rights. Then, the next time around you lose more; soon you will have to give it all up! Yavapai County already has a 2-horse max per acre zoning regulation that was established in the early 90’s. The next time around (which will be soon unless we do something) horse owners will likely be told they will have to go 1 per acre? Then what?
The land use battle is just beginning and is expected to be the most important issue we will face for the future. By 2030 the population in this country is expected to increase by 82,000,000. 72,000,000 will go to the south and west. What do you think that will do to your zoning between now and then? Add that to the fact that our current generation is 3 generations removed from the farm and the whole horse world, as we know it today could be turned upside down. Will those city folks even understand the fundamental concept that we have to slaughter billions of chickens and millions of pigs and cattle for food?
It’s going to get tough out there unless we draw a line in the sand. Enough is enough. Let’s block the revisions in Pinal, and work on eliminating the restrictions in Yavapai. And we also need to get out front of these types of issues and do some preventative maintenance before we are prevented from keeping our beloved animals on our property altogether.
How can you help?
There is much you can do to help maintain your rights as a horse owner and help do the same for others.
Attend all planning & zoning hearings-meetings (by the time you read this the first hearings before the Pinal county supervisors will be over). When you are notified of future meetings in your city or county or any other locale, be certain to be there.
In February 2007 in the state of Connecticut 250 horse friendly people showed up at the state capitol on the worst (weather) night of the winter and defeated a proposal to eliminate horses from all trails in the state.
Strength in numbers Join The Arizona State Horsemen’s Coalition. We are currently creating multiple tools to help protect and secure horsemen’s rights. (Details in the December issue) We are a statewide organization whose only mission is: “To Preserve, Promote and Protect The Arizona Equestrian Lifestyle” and we are also an all-volunteer group. Our only strength is our membership. Join and volunteer now before we lose it all.
The Power of the Pen: In 2005, a small town fought a zoning setback fight and won. One of the strategies of their campaign was to write letters to the editor. Letters were written about the positives that horses bring to the community and were an important factor in their success.
Become Knowledgeable about horses and your world. We all know and accept that there is strength in numbers. But it is also true that knowledge is power.
Many uninformed “city” folks have irrational fears about horses, manure and much more. Here are a few manure facts:
• All living things make manure, even trees drop their leaves and needles and flowers die back to biodegrade. People make manure; millions of birds, rabbits, coyotes, dogs make manure and every living animal and plant you will see today makes manure. When compared to the total, horses are a proverbial drop in the bucket.
• All horse manure is biodegradable-if you leave it on the trail long enough it becomes dirt.
• Horse manure is recycled grass.
• 75% of manure is water
• Topsoil and fertilizer start out as manure; then Scotts or some other company age it up, concentrate it, add some chemicals to it, put it into big plastic bags so you feel close to nature when you reach your hands right in there and spread it around your houseplants or gardens.
• Horse manure does not spread disease.…Horses are dead end hosts, just as are humans, for EEE, WEE and West Nile Virus. They do not spread Salmonella, Giardia or Cryptosporidium.
• While E. coli from a number of species, including humans, can cause intestinal disease under certain conditions, those of equine origin have never been shown to do so.
Stay up to date on the issues: Join your local horse club or association. They are an excellent source of local and international issues. You can also use the Internet to help keep you informed on National and International horse issues. One news source updated 24/7 is at this link: http://www.allabouthorses.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=25
All Arizona Horsemen must join together to speak in one super strong voice or risk losing it all. Now is the time. The Arizona State Horsemen’s Association has been reorganized to help us get there.
Ed O’Brien
VP Arizona State Horsemen’s Assn
Publisher: AllAboutHorses.com
Here's a copy:
Proposed Zoning changes in Pinal County threaten Horsemen’s Rights
Pinal County’s zoning regulations have been on the books since 1962. That’s a mere 45 years, but all of a sudden a draft version of new regulations appeared on line on the county’s website on or after August 24. Without any input from the horse community, nor any word of the changes posted in the News or other media they proposed to limit horses to 2 per acre in rural zones, amended commercial use from 5 acres minimum to 20 acres minimum and developed unreasonable setbacks for livestock buildings. Luckily, some wonderful horse person stumbled across the information and began to pass the word. Clubs, Associations and individuals forwarded emails to members. And, The Arizona State Horsemen’s Assn sent a special alert to all coalition members through its’ statewide communication network.
As a result, Pinal County was bombarded with phone calls and email comments posted on their site. That put the county in an awkward position and just as quick as the changes were drafted they were revised. The revised draft now reads that there is no limit on livestock for rural properties that are 2 acres and above. So that’s the end of the story, right? No, wrong! We won, didn’t we? No, not really! If we walk away now, we are leaving the door open. There is still the commercial use change to 20 acres minimum and the setbacks that would make it impossible for some property owners to erect barns etc and then there is still a 2 horse/livestock (cattle, sheep or goats) maximum for property owners with less than 2 acres.
Some of us may say that is still pretty good. We should compromise to show good faith. The simple truth is that when you compromise you give up something; some of your rights. Then, the next time around you lose more; soon you will have to give it all up! Yavapai County already has a 2-horse max per acre zoning regulation that was established in the early 90’s. The next time around (which will be soon unless we do something) horse owners will likely be told they will have to go 1 per acre? Then what?
The land use battle is just beginning and is expected to be the most important issue we will face for the future. By 2030 the population in this country is expected to increase by 82,000,000. 72,000,000 will go to the south and west. What do you think that will do to your zoning between now and then? Add that to the fact that our current generation is 3 generations removed from the farm and the whole horse world, as we know it today could be turned upside down. Will those city folks even understand the fundamental concept that we have to slaughter billions of chickens and millions of pigs and cattle for food?
It’s going to get tough out there unless we draw a line in the sand. Enough is enough. Let’s block the revisions in Pinal, and work on eliminating the restrictions in Yavapai. And we also need to get out front of these types of issues and do some preventative maintenance before we are prevented from keeping our beloved animals on our property altogether.
How can you help?
There is much you can do to help maintain your rights as a horse owner and help do the same for others.
Attend all planning & zoning hearings-meetings (by the time you read this the first hearings before the Pinal county supervisors will be over). When you are notified of future meetings in your city or county or any other locale, be certain to be there.
In February 2007 in the state of Connecticut 250 horse friendly people showed up at the state capitol on the worst (weather) night of the winter and defeated a proposal to eliminate horses from all trails in the state.
Strength in numbers Join The Arizona State Horsemen’s Coalition. We are currently creating multiple tools to help protect and secure horsemen’s rights. (Details in the December issue) We are a statewide organization whose only mission is: “To Preserve, Promote and Protect The Arizona Equestrian Lifestyle” and we are also an all-volunteer group. Our only strength is our membership. Join and volunteer now before we lose it all.
The Power of the Pen: In 2005, a small town fought a zoning setback fight and won. One of the strategies of their campaign was to write letters to the editor. Letters were written about the positives that horses bring to the community and were an important factor in their success.
Become Knowledgeable about horses and your world. We all know and accept that there is strength in numbers. But it is also true that knowledge is power.
Many uninformed “city” folks have irrational fears about horses, manure and much more. Here are a few manure facts:
• All living things make manure, even trees drop their leaves and needles and flowers die back to biodegrade. People make manure; millions of birds, rabbits, coyotes, dogs make manure and every living animal and plant you will see today makes manure. When compared to the total, horses are a proverbial drop in the bucket.
• All horse manure is biodegradable-if you leave it on the trail long enough it becomes dirt.
• Horse manure is recycled grass.
• 75% of manure is water
• Topsoil and fertilizer start out as manure; then Scotts or some other company age it up, concentrate it, add some chemicals to it, put it into big plastic bags so you feel close to nature when you reach your hands right in there and spread it around your houseplants or gardens.
• Horse manure does not spread disease.…Horses are dead end hosts, just as are humans, for EEE, WEE and West Nile Virus. They do not spread Salmonella, Giardia or Cryptosporidium.
• While E. coli from a number of species, including humans, can cause intestinal disease under certain conditions, those of equine origin have never been shown to do so.
Stay up to date on the issues: Join your local horse club or association. They are an excellent source of local and international issues. You can also use the Internet to help keep you informed on National and International horse issues. One news source updated 24/7 is at this link: http://www.allabouthorses.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=25
All Arizona Horsemen must join together to speak in one super strong voice or risk losing it all. Now is the time. The Arizona State Horsemen’s Association has been reorganized to help us get there.
Ed O’Brien
VP Arizona State Horsemen’s Assn
Publisher: AllAboutHorses.com