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[RC] The new "Trail of Tears"? - Jim HollandFrom CTHA MEMBER and BCHNG Member Ellen Stara?.. ? Jim, Sun of Dimanche+, and Mahada Magic__ Secretary, BCHNG ? _________________________________________________________________ Will This Be Our "Trail of Tears"? August 9, 2007 Just wanted you folks to read what I had to say to the Chattahoochee Trail Horse Association's? Board of Directors who has not yet come to a decision on how CTHA will respond to the Forest Service's impending ruling on banning horses from all areas of Georgia's National Forests that are not specifically "designated" horse trails or numbered FS roads.? Please keep in mind that CTHA has a partnership agreement with Forest Service to develop and maintain trails, but had no prior knowledge of or involvement in this ruling and is just as surprised and appalled as you are by this sudden and unexpected turn of events. Dear CTHA Board Members, OK folks, I'm on my high horse!? I attended the Back Country Horsemen of North Georgia meeting on August 8th along with about 20 other CTHA members. If you didn't go because you didn't think it was important enough, or because the meeting was too far away, or because of preconceived notions about the BCH, shame on you!? Myself a bit doubtful at first, I was quickly won over by their organization, sincere attitude and professionalism in dealing with Forest Service and the proposed blanket ban on cross country horse travel in the Forest.? There were well over 100 concerned trail riders there with reps from all north Georgia horse clubs.? This email is to give you food for thought for the next Board meeting where I look forward to relating some pretty interesting details.? Emails from other concerned trail riders that were there are flying about, so please consider their voices too. We're all saying the same thing from different viewpoints.?? The meeting was conducted in an orderly, planned fashion.? First the basics of Forest Service's second proposed ruling to ban cross country horse travel were presented so that everyone could understand what was going to happen.? They covered the history of the ruling including the process BCH and other groups went through to appeal and win the original ruling in 2004-2006.? Then they had a question and answer session where specific concerns could be answered.? Then they discussed our options - to appeal or not appeal and the ramifications of both options.? Then they accepted motions from the floor followed by another lively discussion period where comments were heard from anyone who wanted to make them.? In the end they took a vote and the crowd unanimously voted to support BCH with an appeal if Forest Service implements the ruling as presented. Several key points effected the decision to appeal: 1. Follow Forest Service protocol.? To object to any FS ruling, a legal appeal must come first and must be made within 30 days after the ruling's implementation.? It is held and ruled upon within the Forest Service itself.? During the appeal process the ban on cross country horse travel will be enforced.? If the Forest Service rules in favor of the appeal, the ban will be suspended until another analysis and proposal can be made (as was done by BCH in 2004-6).? Only if the appeal is denied, can a federal law suit be implemented to be decided on by federal courts of law.? If no appeal is made, we accept the ruling as is. Note:? Point was made that filing an appeal is how Forest Service does business and should not be viewed as an attack, only an objection to this ruling per FS protocol, and should not affect any personal relationships with Forest Service on the local level.? BCH will continue to work on trails development, maintenance and preservation along side the FS. 2. The appeal will be focused on the fact that FS's analysis and decision is without specific documented evidence that damage has been done to the environment in all areas they are proposing to close to horses.? In other words, the FS ruling would be overkill on a problem not adequately and actually proven. 3. From BCHNG's meetings with Forest Service to date, it appears that Forest Service is unwilling to negotiate any compromises. Yes, they are asking for our comments and will hold two public open house meetings (yet unannounced) as required of them, but will they actually consider changing anything already decided on?? It's not likely.? FS indicates that the ruling will be implemented before year's end, possibly as soon as September. They are not giving us adequate time to respond.? Once the ruling is implemented, without an appeal, it will be difficult or impossible to undo.? Furthermore, the proposal presented to us was very vague, with few, if any, guarantees that Forest Service has a plan or will work with us to expand the "designated" trail system.? Even their list of current designated horse trails appears to be inaccurate and incomplete - i.e. Jake Mountain is not on it! 4. All trail riders, saddle clubs and horse organizations in Georgia must be united in objecting to the ban on cross country horse travel, at least in principle if not in action.? Even if we favor riding only on "designated" trails because they are safe, designed properly and easier to manage, we must also uphold our equestrian heritage and opportunities to recreate in the forest along with other "foot" travel.? If the blanket ban on cross country horse travel becomes the rule here in Georgia, an extremely dangerous precedent will be set.? It labels our activity as inherently harmful to the Forest, both in the eyes of our public land managers and in the mindset of the public.? It's unthinkable what the ramifications of such a precedent would be for the future of horses on trails everywhere. 5. The appeal is a defensive, reactive action.? If there is to be any hope that we'll have accessible and adequate places to ride in the future, equestrians will need to become more aggressive and proactive for our cause.? We can't do this without individual involvement and we can't do it without money.? At the end of the meeting a motion was made and approved for BCH to set up a website by which individuals could make a credit card donation to a legal expense fund and $1200 was solicited from the meeting's attendees to get the appeal started. (Since heard that $4000 was raised that night!) 6. BCH has lawyers in Washington already prepared to work on the appeal as well as the national organization to back us.? My Personal Thoughts and Conclusions: Supporting BCH in the appeal process is the best and probably the only option Georgia trail riders have if we want to preserve our "right to ride" on National Forests.? "Making nice" with Forest Service is very important and we must continue to work amicably with our local Forest personnel for local trail enhancements.? But our local foresters have no say in the big picture.? Neither do small clubs such as CTHA who are insignificant and powerless in the eyes of the almighty Forest Service.? Though we've strived honorably to work with Forest Service to avoid such an unexpected confrontation, this is now an urgent defensive fight requiring big guns and brave soldiers.? CTHA is only armed with passive recruits and fire rakes and we are being forced to choose sides!? Do we surrender to the Forest Service who has double crossed us with smiling faces and forked tongues or do we stand up for our rights and voice our objections to foul play?? I say we get behind the big cannon and back BCH even if we must be on the farthest, safest line in the rear. We may not be in position for live fire, but we can shout the forward troops on.? If we don't, we stand to lose much more than our "right to ride". Allowing horses on only designated trails and roads may seem like an easy solution to Forest Service's unmanaged environmental issues and it may be agreeable to some who only occasionally visit the forest for an hour or two ride in the park, but it will be a devastating tragedy for the thousands of horsemen/women who consider trail riding their heritage and lifestyle and who rely on exploring the realms of the forest as their primary recreation.? Yes, we must address the need to protect the environment, educate users and develop trails that are properly designed, maintainable and manageable - all things CTHA has been working on with Forest Service for the past 15 years - but certainly there are other viable options besides shutting us out!!!? In this democratic society, we are entitled to have a say in our future. CTHA's founding dream of a network of interconnecting horse trails across Georgia's Chattahoochee National Forest?sort of an equine Appalachian Trail?now has no hopes of ever becoming a reality. Remember in history the native Cherokees who were herded onto reservations far from their homeland "for their own good" by our government so they could be managed?? Will this unjust Forest Service ruling be our "Trail of Tears"? Ellen Stara ? Richard T. "Jim" Holland Three Creeks Farm 175 Hells Hollow Drive Blue Ridge, Ga 30513 (706) 258-2830 www.threecreeksarabians.com Callsign KI4BEN =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 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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