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[RC] Georgia Horse Trails - Jim Holland


Anybody want to buy some horse property in Georgia? <sigh>  

Now aren't you all glad you voted for "Dubya"? What's worse than
"roadless"? All that forest WITH roads....that you can't ride in.

Jim, Sun of Dimanche+, and Mahada Magic


Loss of US Forest Trails
By Larry Wheat

Our fears have been realized.  I just received the U.S. Forest Service
"Record of Decision for the final Environmental Impact Statement of the
Land and Resource Management Plan Revision for the Chattahoochee-Oconee
National Forests", Management Bulletin R8-MB 113 C, January 2004.  While
this particular decision is for the US National Forests in Georgia, it
is one part of similar decisions being made throughout the entire
Southern Region and it is logical to expect that similar decisions have
been made there also, as the Regional Forester approves the decision.

Quoting from Issue 7: Recreation Opportunities and Experience.  This
part of the Decision states "In particular, the Plan requires all OHV,
horse, and bike use to be on designated routes.  For horse and bike use,
this is a significant shift from past management."  

The restricted use becomes effective 30 days after the publication of
the Notice of Availability (NOA) of the Final Environmental Impact
Statement in the Federal Register.  Therefore, this will become
effective soon.  Legal appeals may be filed and delay actual
implementation for several months, but equestrian use of the numerous
non-designated trails (unofficial trails) will soon be subject to
penalties prescribed by the US Forest Service.

Is there a positive aspect of this for equestrians?  Maybe.  If the US
Forest Service, in cooperation with volunteers and volunteer
organizations, develops more designated trails and parking facilities,
then in time there may be sufficient diversity and distribution of
trails to satisfy the needs and desires of most equestrians.  Much
remains to be accomplished to arrive at that state.  Until then,
enforcement may be a challenge for the authorities since there are
insufficient trails at this time.  Let me challenge each reader to
spread the word and volunteer to help develop and maintain our trail
systems.


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