RE: [RC] [RC] Mammoth Cave Trails in danger of being closed ? - Kristen A Fisher
Hi Dawn –
This is great advice – maybe we
should incorporate some best practices like this into the Trail Master program?
Kristen
From:
ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Dawn Carrie Sent: Friday, March 21, 2008 8:57
AM To: april Cc: ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: Re: [RC] [RC] Mammoth
Cave Trails in danger of being closed ?
Below is the reply I posted to the new 100 milers list, where this was
also posted...
Just a word of advice, from someone who works for the federal government
(Forest Service) and thus deals with public input on environmental assessments
(EAs)/environmental impact statements (EISs). The number of
"votes" for a particular alternative or option does not matter.
*Especially* in the form of form letters such as this. The first one to
arrive is read and any pertinent issues raised are noted. All
subsequent ones are just added to the "pile," so to speak. No,
they are not counted. This is not a voting contest. In order to
have any effect, one needs to write original letters, raise pertinent
("significant" in govt. lingo) issues, offer alternatives that are
reasonable, explain how the preferred alternative is unsuitable, etc. A key tip...read the first part of
the EA or EIS, the part entitled "purpose and need." Make sure
your offered alternatives MEET that purpose and need. For example, if
part of the purpose and need of this project were to reduce conflict between
bikes and horses, then building a separate bike trail (as noted below)
would meet that purpose and need (just as the preferred alt. of closing the
existing trail to horses meets it). If stopping excessive trail
use/erosion is part of the purpose and need, then a separate trail might also
work. But whatever you propose, make SURE it meets that "purose and
need" stated in the document. Otherwise, your comments will
appropriately be dismissed as "outside the scope of this
project." Oh, and don't resort to any kind of inflamatory remarks,
accusations, etc. in your letters. Stay rational, concise, and to the
point. Your input will be received much better, and the equestrian
community as a whole will be looked on as a serious, professional-acting
community.
The National Park Service is considering making changes to the Mammoth Cave
Trail System. Some of the changes could severely limit the trails for equine use.
We need for all horse lovers and trail riders to band together and help keep
these beautiful and unique trails open to horses. MammothCaveNaturalPark
encompasses 52,830 acres in south central Kentucky and is home to the largest cave
system in the world.
Right now the "preferred" alternative is to close First Creek Trail
to all horses. This is a vital trail linking the Lincoln trailhead to the rest of the north
side horse trails and thus cuts horse off from the majority of the parks
trails. This alternative would be devastating to the equestrian community.
We have created a letter that opposes this alternative and instead recommends a
new plan that creates a separate trail for bicyclists on the south side of the
river returning the north side trail system to horses and hikers.
To fill out form click on the following link http://roguediamond.com/mammoth.html
Once you fill out form click the submit button. The letter will be
automatically forwarded to the National Park Service. The form has been
carefully encrypted so as to protect your personal information from spammers.
