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RE: [RC] Trail fees illegal? - Jim HollandActually, there was quite a bit more to it than just winning a comment period. You can read BCHA's statement here: (About the middle of the page) http://www.sabch.org/Hot%20Items.htm In order to understand you have to go back and look at the trail specifications BEFORE TCS. The TCS changed the "definition" of how trails were actually built and maintained. BCHA was concerned about back country trails with regard to the TCS. For example, under TCS, some "secondary" trails which were used by horses would no longer be maintained at a width (full bench) that would accommodate pack stock. That effectively means the trail would have only a narrow "foot tread" bench, which makes them "unsuitable" (dangerous) for horses and pack stock, thus effectively removing them as horse trails for all but the most experienced packer. In addition, there would be no public input or comment period on the RECLASSIFICATION OF A SPECIFIC TRAIL under the TCS. The FS can still reclassify a trail under the TCS now...but they must solicit public comment on the impact of doing do. There were other issues as well. BCHA tried unsuccessfully to arbitrate this unsuccessfully. I think their actions were entirely appropriate. Litigation is a last resort. BCHA is a service organization that would much rather work WITH land mangers to the benefit of all. Appeals and litigation are a last resort. However, knowing that there are organizations like BCHA that will take whatever action necessary to protect our right to ride public lands in many cases prevents that from becoming necessary. One of the reasons we have a strong military is to keep us from having to use it, i.e..."Walk softly, but carry a big stick". At least it's supposed to work that way. Here lately, I think we have forgotten the first part of that. Jim, Sun of Dimanche+, and Mahada Magic Richard T. "Jim" Holland Three Creeks Farm 175 Hells Hollow Drive Blue Ridge, Ga 30513 (706) 258-2830 www.threecreeksarabians.com Callsign KI4BEN -----Original Message----- From: ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Sisu West Ranch Sent: Thursday, September 14, 2006 1:49 PM To: ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: Re: [RC] Trail fees illegal? During the comment period I carefully read the document. The BCHA actually wasted a bunch of their and taxpayer's money. Apparently, somebody in the BCH thought that the FS was going to let motorized vehicles on all or more trails. If you read the document carefully, not one trail was actually classified by the document. It was just a different way of setting up the trail classification system. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 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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