Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

From:
Richard T. "Jim" Holland
175 Hells Hollow Drive
Blue Ridge, GA 30513
Phone (706) 258-2830
CALLSIGN KI4BEN
Email - lanconn@xxxxxxx

To:
Chief Dale Bosworth
USDA Forest Service
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20250-1104


Re: Notice of Appeal of ROD for the FEIS of the LRMP Revision for the
Chattahoochee/Oconee/Cherokee National Forests.

Dear Chief Bosworth:

I ask that you strongly consider the merits of these appeals by the Back
Country Horsemen of East Tennessee.  The restriction of equestrians to
designated trails and FS roads in these Land Management Plans is
discriminatory, arbitrary, and unjustified by the FEIS data.  In addition,
there are simply not enough designated horse trails to support the number of
equestrians using these forests.  The long-term result can only be severe
damage to the few existing trails from overuse, exacerbating the very
problems the FS seeks to prevent.  In addition, there are valid reasons to
believe that the LMPs violate NEPA, NFMA, the WILDERNESS ACT, and the
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT.

I live in Fannin County, which is in the North Georgia Mountains.  The
majority of this county is National Forest.  We are heavily dependent on
tourism.  Hikers, bicyclists, and equestrians are a large source of income
for this county.  Many small businesses such as horse rentals, feed stores,
tack stores, and souvenir shops depend on tourism for their livelihood.
Many of our residents are retirees and their land values will be impacted by
the restrictions.  The horse industry is a multi-million dollar industry in
Georgia and we have a large equestrian population.  At a time when our
nation is struggling with economic problems, restrictions on equestrians in
the National Forests, especially since they are unjustified by FEIS data, is
a highly questionable decision.

Previously, the use of old logging roads, built with taxpayer dollars,
dispersed the impact of equestrians across the entire Forest system.  Most
of these "local" logging road trails are lightly used and maintained by
residents in an environmentally conscious manner at no expense to the FS.
Since they have no other place to ride, equestrians will most likely
continue to use these local trails in a clandestine manner.

Equestrians have great difficulty understanding why only 144 acres of trails
are suitable for equestrian traffic, but 461,098 acres of the
Oconee/Chattahoochee National Forests are suitable for logging, which
includes building roads which will support log truck traffic and the use of
log skidders and bulldozers.  Skidding and decking, slash removal by burning
and machine methods, and "even aged management" (clear cutting) are
permitted.  The National Forests are a renewable resource, therefore I have
no objection to timber activity for appropriate reasons, but it is obvious
to the most casual observer that these logging operations will create far
more environmental damage to the Forests than the entire horse population of
Georgia could in years.  In addition, any roads built with public funds for
the purpose of timber harvest should ALSO be available to the public for
recreational purposes.  If they are environmentally acceptable for log truck
traffic, horse/foot traffic should be inconsequential.  To deny access
constitutes discrimination against equestrians and the construction of these
roads is therefore an inappropriate use of public funds.

The new LMPs have created a "no win" situation for the FS by damaging their
public image and alienating the equestrian community.  In every group, there
are those who abuse our National Forests.  The equestrian community is no
exception.  However, as pointed out in the FEIS, hiker activities are just
as detrimental, but NO restrictions were placed on their use of these
National Forests.  Most of us DO care.and do our best to educate and
minimize the impact of those who don't.  I am proud to be a member of "Team
Cohutta".  We work with the FS Wilderness Ranger to maintain the hiking and
horse trails in the Cohutta Wilderness area, including the Appalachian Trail
and the Benton McKaye Trail.  In addition to participating in planned
workdays by FS personnel and soliciting others to do so, we frequently clear
trails as individuals on horseback and on foot.  Equestrians pack out trash,
pack in saws and other maintenance equipment, pass out "Leave no Trace"
cards, and talk with hikers and equestrians regarding stewardship.

The FS currently does not have the resources to enforce the new policy.
Removing the restriction on equestrians, soliciting the help of the
equestrian community to educate the public, and devoting any additional
resources to the creation of new trails would be a sounder policy and reduce
the need for "enforcement" and  "local" trails.

I will be 62 years old this year.  In the next few years, like me, millions
of "baby boomers" will retire. They value their mobility and take pride in
their independence.  As they continue to age, the equestrians in this group
will look to their horses as a means of expanding the recreational
opportunities limited by their physical ability.  Denying them the
opportunity to camp in remote areas of the National Forests and forcing them
to drive to distant, crowded trailheads in order to recreate with their
horses on public lands they have supported with their tax dollars over the
years is discriminatory and unacceptable.

In summary, the equestrian restrictions on horse travel in the
Chattahoochee/Oconee/Cherokee National Forests create more problems than
they solve and there is doubt they will result in any positive impact on the
environment and therefore should be suspended.  I urge you to review the
Land Management Plans and the FEIS with regard to the information detailed
in the appeal documents and consider carefully the consequences of allowing
these restrictions to remain in effect.   Thank you for your attention to
this vital issue.

Regards,

Jim Holland,

Member:
American Endurance Ride Conference
Southeastern Endurance Riders Association
Appalachian Trail Conference
Daniel Boone Distance Riders
Georgia Equine Rescue League
Arabian Horse Association
Fannin County Fire Department Mounted Search and Rescue
AARP
USMC (Retired) - Second Generation
USFS "TEAM COHUTTA"



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One would think that logic would prevail. But then, if logic did prevail,
men would ride sidesaddle. 
~  Bob Morris

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