Pigeon River & Beyond - Back Country Horsemen, Michigan

What is the current Status of the bill?  Is there another vote in the future for the right-to-ride.I just read an article by Mindy koch, Deputy  Director DNR,  She indicated that it isn't going to re-open the PRC to horseback riding that it is not appropriate of the PRC and interfers with the Elk Herd.

Any one know what is going on?

LMAO...interfers with elk herd...you have got to be kidding me....:lol:

Gloria I can tell you this...Jennifer, Rebecca and Mindy have not a clue of whats going on other than maybe getting payed under the table from fish and game funding!!!:wink:

My gut feeling is nothing is going to happen with this bill or any other bill for that matter until the budget mess is settled. There are less than 40 days for the legislature to figure out how to plug a 3 billion dollar hole in the state budget.

Just got the call from Senator Cameron Brown's office and they have set the date for a hearing on our SB578.  It will be October 21st at 1:00, Farnum Building Room 110 which is on the first floor.  The Farnum Building is located on the SE corner across from the Capital.  We would like to invite anyone who is a supporter of our Right to Ride bill to venture down to Lansing and sit in on this hearing...Would be great to pack the committee room once again to show them that we have not gone away!

Comittee members that will be hearing  testimony will be: 

 Senator Patricia Birkholz(R): chairman

 Senator Gerald Van Woerkam(R): vice chair

 Senator Raymond Basham(D): minority vice chair

 Senator John Gleason(D) 

 Senator Bruce Patterson(R).

Thanks,

Dick

I expect to be there!  Wild horses can't keep me away. Hahaha

ATTENTION:  Just got the word from Senator Cameron Brown that he has cancelled our Senate Hearing that was scheduled for Oct. 21st-next Wednesday at 1:00.....we will give you a notice as soon as we hear the new time.  This is politics in action folks.  He feels that delay will be in our favor and need to keep working on getting the real facts on the issue to Senator Birkholz and her committee.  Possibly with this delay it will give time for the House to vote on HB4610 and move it to the Senate.

We are sorry of any inconvienence that it might have caused with this change but, it is out of our hands and we are relying on those in the know for their expertise in doing the right thing. Please pass this message onto anyone that you have urged to come to show support.........thank you so much.

Received a call this morning from Kendra Everett, assistant to Senator Brown and also from our lobbyist Kevin Korpi regarding our Senate bill SB 578.  It has  successfully been referred out of committee and placed in  the Agriculture and Bioeconomy Committee.  This was done by request from Senator Cameron Brown.  This does not happen very often so this is a remarkable thing!~

The following senators sit on this committee:

Chairman Senator Gerald VanWoerkom

Senator Patricia Birkholz

Senator John Gleason

Senator Judson Gilbert II

Senator Gretchen Whitmer

Their email addresses may be found on our legislative page by clicking on list of senators at the bottom.  Now is the time to focus on educating these people to what has happened out here and what this bill would mean to the state of Michigan. 

We will have about 2-3 weeks break to regroup before our next hearing.  As soon as we hear when it will be we will send a notice out and post it here.

Thanks again for all your hard work!

Keep the faith and Happy Trails!

Dick and Connie

I just replayed last week's senate hearing. What an amazing assortment of testimony from everyone - From Senator Brown, his aide Kendra, Rep Moore, former Rep Tom Casperson, Dick Kleinhardt, Norma Laine, Vicky, Ron Beyer, Dennis, George, Lynn, Jacob, and others, myself included.  What a fantastic mix of testimony we provided.

Thanks to the great work that everyone is doing.

I can't wait to type up / summarize what Deputy Director Mindy Koch presented. 

I am so very glad that this bill has moved to a different committee and hopefully, we can move forward with our legislation to a successful outcome.  Please continue in your support of the cause!

HOORAY HOORAY HOORAY...  We Got 'er DONE!

         SB 578 was approved in Ag & Bio committee by 3 yes votes: Senator Gilbert, Senator Van Woerkem, Senator Birkholz!!  Hip Hip Hooray. 

  And BOOOO on Sen Gleason the evil turncoat.   

Then, on to the Senate Floor...  where some strange amendments were proposed (???) and Senator Birkholz, bless her heart, stood up and countered and said NO to the amendments (they were for lice treatments of school children!!)  and all but 2 of the Senators voted YES for SB 578!!

Many changes from the original versions of the bills... but 578 is tied to HB 4610.

Please be sure to send letters of thanks to those mentioned, and to your own senators for voting yes on the bill (Prussi & Cherry voted "NO"). 

Connie & Dick can give more details. I think they are celebrating. What a tumultuous 2 years it's been for the original crew that started PR&B...  8 months since we met in Midland under the "TRAM" banner.  !!

  For more details, go to the FACEBOOK pages...  see the link on the right...

Sen. Browns Right to Ride legislation approved by Senate

Thursday, December 17, 2009

LANSING — Legislation introduced by Sen. Cameron S. Brown that will protect the rights of horse riders on state land was approved Thursday by the Michigan Senate.

Brown introduced Senate Bill 578 at the request of constituents from Hillsdale County and other riders from across the sate after the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) closed trails to horses on state land – including the popular Pigeon River Country State Forest.

“For decades, horse riders have responsibly shared the trails of Michigan’s beautiful state parks with hunters, hikers and campers,” said Brown, R-Fawn River Township. “The decision by the DNR to suddenly and severely limit this access is yet another disappointing example of government overstepping its boundaries.”

Brown’s SB 578 will require the DNR to make decisions affecting state trail access in a public forum and based on sound science and public safety considerations. The bill will also establish a statewide network of public trails for all users.

“Riders come from all over to enjoy Michigan’s scenic trails,” Brown said. “This is no time to turn away tourists, nor to turn our backs on years of tradition in which people of all ages explore our wondrous public lands on horseback. This legislation will bring much-needed transparency and accountability to trail access decision making.”

(This is the release on Senator Brown’s website.)

Horse Riding Bill Cantors Through Senate

Yee-haw. After a bit of wrangling, the Senate today passed a measure allowing for more horseback riding on state-owned property.

SB 0578, sponsored by Sen. Cameron BROWN (R-Fawn River Twp.), passed, 35-2, with Sens. Mike PRUSI (D-Ishpeming) and Deb CHERRY (D-Burton) voting no.

The legislation stems from an issue in the Pigeon River area, where the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) cracked down on which trails horseback riders could use out of concern that some "off-trail" riding was disrupting the environment. There's also concern that allowing horseback riding would put $25 million of federal funding at risk.

Sen. Patty BIRKHOLZ (R-Saugatuck) tried to broker a compromise with an S-2 version of SB 0578 in the Natural Resources and Environment Committee, but Brown wasn't on board (See "Horse Riding Bill Gallops To Ag Committee," 11/12/09). She allowed the bill to be rerouted to the Agriculture Committee at his request.

The floor version of SB 0578 will require the DNR to make decisions affecting state trail access "in a public forum and based on sound science and public safety considerations," Brown said. The bill will also establish a statewide network of public trails for all users.

"For decades, horse riders have responsibly shared the trails of Michigan's beautiful state parks with hunters, hikers and campers," said Brown. "The decision by the DNR to suddenly and severely limit this access is yet another disappointing example of government overstepping its boundaries."

(This is in MIRS Capitol Capsule news)

We just received a phone call from Melanie Underhill our lobbyist from Acuitas, LLC. with the news that our House hearing on SB578 will be this next Tuesday in Lansing. It will be again in State Representative Joel Sheltrown's committee which is the Tourism, Outdoor Recreation and Natural Resources Committee. This committee hearing will begin at 10:30 am- It will once again be held at the Anderson House Building where the very first hearing was held.

We aren't sure if they will ask for a vote on this day-but, chances are good that it could happen.  This again would be a good thing!  Looking forward to getting it done and on the way to the Governor...we've got lots of riding to do this summer!!!!!

Thanks so much and if you can make it-would be very much appreciated

Members of this committee are:  Rep. Sheltrown(chair), Slezak(vice-chair), Ebli, Huckleberry, Lindberg, Stanley, Stamas(minority vice-chair), Bolger, Hanson and Horn.  Again, we need to work on Ebli and Lindberg!  Come on Mr. Lindberg!! 

I just want to ask everyone to watch for the February issues of Saddle Up Magazine, Equine Times, and The Farmers Advance as they will be publishing a letter about PR&BBCH and our legislative battle.

It is our understanding that HB 4610 and SB 578 may be taken up for FINAL votes on Thursday, February 4, 2010!  Time frame is approximate between 10-1:00..session starts at 10:00 but to say when exactly our bill will come up has not been announced yet...We plan to be there and have been requested to bring the troops to fill the Gallery.  This will be a very exciting day for all that have been working so hard!

For a little information-this is the explanation that was given to explain on what will actually take place.  You might have to read this several times to understand it so here goes....it can get a little confusing!

By way of legislative process, our expectation is that the State Senate will move HB 4610 per request of Representative Moore(R-Farwell) and Senator Brown(R-Fawn River Twsp.).  Then the House, with a strong suggestion offered by Rep. Joel Sheltrown (D-West Branch), will concur in the Senate changes on HB 4610.   Similarly, the House will move SB578 and the State Senate will concur in the House changes to SB578. These minor changes were approved  in committee this past Tuesday.  Concurrence votes are largely procedural on this type of issue.  Our hope is that the bills will be given immediate effect.  The bills (HB 4610 and SB 578) will then be ordered enrolled and presented to the Governor on Thursday, if all goes according to plan.  The Governor has 14 days to review and sign the legislation, enacting it into LAW! 

We need to remember that we are not out of the woods until the legislation is signed by the Governor.  Till then, please stay ever vigilant!

URGENT!  Just got a call from Melanie Underhill our lobbyist and was told to please have as many of our members that live in the Monroe area to please call Rep. Kathy Angerer's office or email her and respectfully request that she place our SB 578 bill on tomorrow's agenda.  Also that she see the great benefits to our state's budget by also placing a yes vote of support for both bills-HB 4610 and SB 578.

We will be meeting in the House cafeteria at 9:30 tomorrow and would like to go as a group around 10:00...also we would like to have a group picture taken outside the Capital before we enter.  Thanks so much!  See you there tomorrow!!

February 5, 2010

Thursday February 4, 2010 forty to forty five PIGEON RIVER & BEYOND BACK COUNTRY HORSEMEN OF MICHIGAN gathered in Lansing at the Capitol to witness the Senate as they deliberated the passage of HB4610. We all met in the House Building Cafeteria where several members enjoyed breakfast and coffee together. We also enjoyed the opportunity to have some short visits with various Representatives and their staff members as they came through on the way to their upstairs offices to start the work day.

Then we walked across the street to the Capitol and took seats in the gallery as the Senate convened at 10 A.M., our bill came up shortly thereafter. We had two Senators, Sen. Deborah Cherry District 26 Genesee County, and Sen. Michael Switalski District 10 Sterling Heights and Clinton Townships in Macomb County, who both spoke urging the Senators to vote “no” on our bill. We had two Senators, Sen. Cameron Brown District 16 St. Joseph, Branch, Hillsdale and Lenawee Counties (our SB578 sponsor) and Sen. Ron Jelenik District 21 Van Buren, Berrien and Cass Counties, who both urged the Senators to vote “yes” on our bill.

The vote was taken at 10:45 and was passed with 23 yeas, 13 nays, and 2 excused. The vote for immediate effect was taken and needed 26 yeas, we only got 22 so it did not pass. Senator Alan Cropsey requested that a re-vote on immediate effect, because of missing Senators, be postponed until next session. It was approved.

The House of Representatives did not have SB578 on their afternoon calendar so it received no action on Thursday.

At this time, we need members to write letters to Representative Kathy Angerer District 55 from Dundee, who is Majority Floor Leader in the House, and Representative Tim Moore, who sponsored our house bill, and Representative Joel Sheltrown, who is a major supporter and ask them politely to please encourage getting SB578 placed on the House calendar.

In addition, each member needs to connect , via telephone, e-mail, or regular letter (regular letter is encouraged) their own Representative and encourage them to vote “yes” when SB578 comes before the House.

When HB4610 gets the votes needed for immediate effect, SB578 passes the House without any revisions and gets immediate effect, they then go to the Governor for consideration. She will have 14 days to either sign or veto the bills. So, we are not done yet, there are still several hurdles to get across, please do your part to help facilitate the passage of our “right to ride” bills, summer is coming and we all want to go horse camping then, not need to spend those glorious trail riding days in Lansing.

Thanks for reading, Marieta

The end of my last sentance in above post should have read:  summer is coming and we all want to go horse camping then, we don't want to spend those glorious trail riding days in Lansing.  Sorry for the goof!! Have a nice day and keep the spirit!  Marieta

We are going to Lansing in the morning to hang out for awhile...Senate is in session at 10:00.  We want to be there just incase they decide to bring up our bill for a vote.  Got a good feeling that it just might come up with what we had uncovered this past week.  Can tune into michigan.gov website and watch just incase it's televised on the internet.  If you are living near Lansing and don't have much going tomorrow-come on over and look for us! 

ALERT: We need grassroots support from BCH members.

We need to put calls/e-mails into the following Senators (and their staff) to encourage them to please support the Right to Ride legislation (tie-barred SB 578 and HB 4610) and please vote to give HB 4610 as amended in S-3 Immediate Effect. This bill has the strong support of over 80,000 recreational horse owners in Michigan. It promotes responsible horseback riding in Michigan, which generates $8 billion into the state’s economy. The loss of public access to state lands for permissible recreational use has reached a critical state, and this legislation fixes that problem.

· Senator John Gleason (D-27 Flushing) #(517) 373-0142, Email: SenJGleason@senate.michigan.gov

o staff: John LaMacchia Email: jlamacchia@senate.michigan..gov

· Senator Whitmer (D-23 Lansing) #(517) 373-1734, Email: SenGWhitmer@senate.michigan.gov

o staff: Nancy Bohnet Email: nbohnet@senate.michigan.gov

· Senator James Barcia (D-31 Bay City) #(517) 373-1777, Email: Senjbarcia@senate.michigan..gov

· Senator Olshove (D-9 Warren) #(517) 373-8360, Email: SenDOlshove@senate.michigan.gov

· Senator Basham (D-8 Taylor) #(517) 373-7800 Email: SenRBasham@senate.michigan..gov

o staff Andrea Cascarilla Email: acascarilla@senate.michigan.gov

· Senator Switalski (D-10 Roseville) #(517) 373-7315, Email: SenMSwitalski@senate.michigan.gov

*As always, it is a good idea to CC your Senator when sending an e-mail to another Senator.*

We need to put in calls and e-mails to the Governor’s office asking for support for right to ride legislation. #(517) 373-3950

· Mike Byrne, Deputy Director of Legislative Affairs division (Office of Governor): Email: byrnem@michigan.gov

· Eric Davis, Deputy Director, House Liaison of Legislative Affairs Division (Office of Governor) Email: davise12@michigan.gov

Yee-haw!

Melanie

Here's a sample letter that could be used or modified....

Dear Senator:

On behalf of Back Country Horsemen of Michigan- Pigeon River & Beyond, we ask for your support on the Right to Right legislation, namely SB 578 and HB4610 (as amended in S-3) and urge you to vote to give the bill Immediate Effect.

The 80,000 recreational horseback riders represent an $8 billion dollar Industry in our state. Under Federal law, horseback riding is a permissible use on state land acquired by federal dollars. “States may allow recreational activities and related facilities that are not fish or wildlife-dependent (e.g. bicycling, swimming, rock climbing, kennels, stables, horseback riding) if they determine that the activities will not interfere with the purpose for which they acquired, developed, or are managing the land.” This legislation allows control to rest within the DNRE, and assures that Michigan will not jeopardize dollars that flow back to our state through Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act (PR) or Dingell-Johnson Sportfish Restoration Act (DJ).

Thank you for your consideration and continued support.

Sincerely,

Just got word that the Governor's office has contacted the Feds today-would like an answer this afternoon.  So stay tuned-they COULD be acting on our bill TOMORROW! Will keep you posted.