[RC] Georgia Horse Trails - Jim HollandAnybody 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. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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