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[RC] National land use was Chattahoochee National Forest - Nancy ReedDear Sharon, Jim and Ridecamp, I agree with you both and disagree with you both. Yes the FS people are just doing their jobs and did not make the rules. However, if the rules are not changed we all will lose the right to ride in our national lands. And I want to remind you that our tax dollars bought and support these lands and the FS who are to manage them. And yes, every national land be it a monument, BML or Forest has to be run by a "plan." Unfortunately the plan makers do not have direction from above to keep trails and accommodate us equestrians. We as equestrians need to change that, we need to change the rules to keep our trails. Jim you are right that some confrontation is necessary. But, the confrontation needs to be directed at the rule makers-congress and the higher up the food chain bureaucrats. Getting angry is appropriate in some limited situations. And I believe the miss use of my tax dollars is an appropriate situation to be angry. Here is what you can do to change the rules: get involved with a bill that is stalled in congress that keeps trails open, the Right to Ride bill sponsored by George Radanovich (R-CA). This bill is officially known as H.R. 2966 and will "preserve the use and access of pack and saddle stock animals on public lands, including wilderness areas, national monuments and other specifically designated areas, administered by the National Park Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Forest Service where there is a historical tradition of such use, and for other purposes." For more specific info on the bill http://www.bchc.com/Documents/Right-to-Ride_HR-2966.PDF Jim, write a really angry letter and talk about why you live were you do and all the money you spent on your horses and how it affects the local economy. Talk about how the loss of these trails will harm the local economy and how it will lower your homes value. Be mad, be upset and be clear that your equestrian dollars help to keep the local economy running. It would not hurt to mention that nation wide equestrians spend BILLIONS of dollars to ride. Think about it, all the services you pay for, all the goods you use, the list is endless. Be sure you send this to your congressman/women and representative with a copy to the sponsor George Radanovich (R-CA). To find out your rep's address go to www.house.gov <http://www.house.gov/> and type in your zip code. It will take you to the reps web site or list an address. Sharon is correct in that if you do not have a new plan, one is coming. I just got notice that a draft plan will be circulated for review and comment on LOS PADRES, CLEVELAND and SAN BERNARDINO NATIONAL FORESTS. Yep, it's coming home to southern California and we better be ready. This plan will be on the web by 5/1/04. Go to FS.FED.US/R8/SCFPR or call 866-252-88-46 for more information. Please write a letter today, your favorite trail may be next. Nancy Reed, Lazy J Ranch (not lazy when they start talking about taking trails away), Elfin Forest, California PS please cross post to any equestrian list you can think of ============================================================ There is no better way to see the world than from the back of a horse. ~ Teddy Roosevelt ridecamp.net information: http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/ ============================================================
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