Pigeon River & Beyond - Back Country Horsemen, Michigan

LANSING, Mich. (Map) -

Right to Ride Passes!

PR Newswire

LANSING, Mich., March 25, 2010

LANSING, Mich., March 25 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --

Today the Michigan legislature saddled up and passed a compromise version of the Right to Ride legislation. With concurrence, the measure now gallops to Governor Granholm. SB 578 and HB 4610 are tie-barred legislation to protect public access, use and enjoyment of state owned land in Michigan. The bills received overwhelming bi-partisan support in both the Michigan House of Representatives and State Senate. "Riders come from all over to enjoy Michigan's scenic trails," Senator Brown said. "This is no time to turn away tourists, or 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."

Together, Senate Bill 578, sponsored by Senator Cameron Brown (R-Fawn River Twp.), and House Bill 4610 sponsored by Representative Tim Moore (R-Farwell), give the equestrians a deserved voice through the Equine Trailways Advisory Sub-committee (ETAS). This new advisor group created within the legislation will work with the new Department of Natural Resources and Environment (DNRE) to develop a comprehensive statewide trail network for all recreational trail use, which will increase ridership and tourism spending in Michigan. Representative Moore stated that "Tourism and recreation are a strong part of our local economy and Michigan can't afford to chase that business away.  We should be working to expand these types of opportunities in our state, not limit them."

"As President of the Back Country Horsemen of Michigan (BCHM) - Pigeon River & Beyond chapter, the hard work over the past two years and tremendous bi-partisan support has made me humble and proud to stand alongside my members and team up to pass this legislation," says Dick Kleinhardt. "The loss of trail access in recent years is a travesty for Michigan," added Kleinhardt. BCHM represents 330 members and supports the interests of an estimated 80,000 recreational horseback riders in the state of Michigan.

The legislation lays out a timeline for the Department of Natural Resources and Environment to review specific access restrictions by pack and saddle animals previously imposed by the DNR in State Forests. The process begins with a review of the controversial restriction of trail access to riders in the Pigeon River Country State Forest imposed by the DNR in May of 2008.

CONTACT: Dick Kleinhardt, President BCHM, Ph: (989) 424-1172

Emailed in from Jack Hoogendyk:

Congratulations!

This victory is a testament to your patience, respect for everyone involved, perseverance and enthusiasm for something you truly believe in. As a former legislator, I know how difficult it can be to get meaningful legislation passed. Dick, you and Connie and your family and everyone else in the Back Country Horsemen's group are to be commended and heartily congratulated.

God bless and...saddle up your horses!

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Regards,

Jack Hoogendyk

BCHMI's Webmaster, Nanette White at 10:07PM on Mar 25, 2010

Emailed in from Jack Hoogendyk:

Congratulations!

This victory is a testament to your patience, respect for everyone involved, perseverance and enthusiasm for something you truly believe in. As a former legislator, I know how difficult it can be to get meaningful legislation passed. Dick, you and Connie and your family and everyone else in the Back Country Horsemen's group are to be commended and heartily congratulated.

God bless and...saddle up your horses!

--

Regards,

Jack Hoogendyk

 

We horsemen and horsewomen of the State should all take a minute to thank our Senators and  Representatives for their support of  these Bills.  Especially  Representatives Joel Sheltrown, Tim Moore and Senator Cameron Brown, and all their support staff members,  for introducing the bills. Also a big thank you to our lobbiest Kevin and Melanie.   Without all the hours of hard work by these people, this would have been impossible to achieve.  I would also like to send a thank you to all the members of Pigeon River & Beyond, Back Country Horsemen of Michigan for their never ending support and encouragement during the tough times.  When individuals come together and  combine their talents, energy and enthusiasm, in support of something they are passionate about the next to impossible becomes possible.  Thanks to all!

Gordon, board member PR&B BCH MI

Congrats on your victory, but the Mountain Bike Community in MI is not very happy about this legislation passing.    This legislation has done nothing but further divide the Equestrian community from other trail users.  The special treatment Equestrians gain from this will remain a sore point of contention whenever trail access issues come to light.

And, don't expect the Mountain Bike Community to build you guys any more trails....the free ride is over.

Congratulations for everyones hard work on this. 

Because I rode my horse across the state on the shore to shore trail, my non loving horse husband & I fell in love with mid Michigan. We bought kayaks & return to that area often to kayak, trout fish & I paint my watercolors on the AuSable & Manistee....and return in the winter hauling our snowmobiles to ride.  Back home in Yankee Springs we hike the NCT & ride mt bikes (when Im not riding my horse). We worked hard with the YSTRA  on our trails over the years. Horse people do other things than ride horses.

I do hope all of these groups can work together for our childrens future to enjoy all Micigan has to offer.

Has the Govenor signed these yet??

Boo & Leroy at 10:03PM on Apr 02, 2010

Has the Govenor signed these yet??

Giddy Up! The Governor officially signed the Right to Right Legislation into law on April 2, as reported by MIRS News. Congratulations!!!

This message just in from Kevin Korpi-our eyes and ears in Lansing.  What a wonderful thing!  Have a nice Easter!!!!:D  Waiting to hear if she will grant us a request now for a bill signing ceremony.  Think this would be a very nice thing to do...Would love to have our Grandson Jacob(who testimfied at one of our senate hearings) shake her hand personally to say "thanks from the KIDS!"

Will have to wait to see........

To Back Country Loyalists:

Connie and I enjoyed a great ride in the Big South Fork the end of April. It made the Pigeon River look like "Kansas". It's land mass is a little bigger than the Pigeon, 125,000 acres. What we found very refreshing is that they welcome horses "big time". Many horse camps on the perimeter of the forest and yet plenty of room and respect for other users was present. The local businesses were very pleased to see many out of state people come to enjoy their area and help support them as well.

While there, we received word from Larry Kleinhardt, one of our board members, who attended the annual meeting of BCHA in Branson, Mo. He proceeded to inform us that Pigeon River & Beyond BCHMI was awarded the "Double Diamond" award for Achievement for 2010! This is the highest award given by BCHA. They felt that our "Right to Ride" legislation was very deserving of this award and thought it a great accomplishment.

As I write this update to you, we are still waiting the appointments of ETAS. The resumes that were submitted to us were forwarded onto the Department for consideration. That happened over 5 weeks ago. We have received word that on June 3rd-next Thursday, the NRC will be holding their monthly meeting and has Pigeon River discussion on their agenda. Please click on the links and read all the information regarding this.

The Agenda is also posted on this site. NRC meeting will be held at the Lansing Center 333 East Michigan, Lansing.

http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-30301_30505_54967-66207--,00.html

http://www.michigan.gov/documents/dnr/EquineAccessForThePRCSF_321274_7.pdf

http://www.michigan.gov/documents/dnr/PRC_Access_321275_7.pdf

They are requesting your comments and suggestions and I urge all that can please call and submit your name for time to publicly speak at this meeting to voice your opinion and then submit written comments on line to the link that they provide. We need to let them know how we feel in this matter. The deadline is June 7th for your written comments. With the holiday weekend-time is very short-I apologize for the late notice on this!

I spoke with Scott Whitcom, present manager of the PRC, before leaving for Tennessee regarding our proposals for consideration in the Pigeon. I stressed the need for all 15 remote sites to be reopened so as to be compliant with the Concept of Management Plan which discourages large congregations of people. I also stressed the importance of the many existing single track trails, not game trails, to the linkages from camp to camp as well as the importance to land owners for access of the Pigeon. This is their "dock in the water" so to speak to be able to enjoy the PRC to be able to get to a two track and ride. Those single tracks are already existing-no new trails would have to be made. With the proposal that has been submitted by the Access Road User Group, it appears that they only want to consider the 4.29 miles(5 broken segments)of single track trails that would be near one of two outcamps that are being proposed. This site is #5 on Sturgeon Valley Road. The other for consideration is Camp #15 off of Clark Bridge road.

I believe that this is totally unacceptable. In reviewing the proposed Equine Access map it appears that we have lots of riding-but keep in mind that the purple lines highlighted are two track roads...this is why the single track trail connectors are important. There have been 2 near tragic accidents that we know of-Safety is paramount!

Due to the lack of funds, the board has decided to disengage Acuitas, our lobbying firm. They did a great job for us and our thanks goes out to them for helping us at a very critical time. It's so hard to put a price tag on the freedom to ride our trails and felt it very necessary to do what we did to accomplish this goal. With this, we are left with several bills that need paying and would appreciate your continued support. We need to look for ways to help us raise money to be able to continue our mission. If anyone has suggestions please contact us.

I wondered when someone would get around to this.  I totally agree!!  I have been to elk hill when every site has been taken and had to go back home. Concerning the two off site camp areas, one is still very close to elk hill but the other is way east.  Nothing in the north area.  If we wanted to trail ride in the north area we would have at least a 4 hours trip to get back to camp, one way.  That is unacceptable!  There should be at least one half way between elk hill on the northern border and one each to the north west and north east of elk hill. If they do not allow us to use  some of the roads that are currently close it will be very difficult to loop around to any campsites they do open.

We just camped in the pigeon and took a ride on some of the roads that are open and many were being used by vehicles that were real flying.  If a group or single rider has been on the roads at the time it could have been serious.

What can we do to get more campsites and more close roads open? I would be glad to help wherever I can.

dev at May 31, 2010 at 4:41 PM

I wondered when someone would get around to this.  I totally agree!!  I have been to elk hill when every site has been taken and had to go back home. Concerning the two off site camp areas, one is still very close to elk hill but the other is way east.  Nothing in the north area.  If we wanted to trail ride in the north area we would have at least a 4 hours trip to get back to camp, one way.  That is unacceptable!  There should be at least one half way between elk hill on the northern border and one each to the north west and north east of elk hill. If they do not allow us to use  some of the roads that are currently close it will be very difficult to loop around to any campsites they do open.

We just camped in the pigeon and took a ride on some of the roads that are open and many were being used by vehicles that were real flying.  If a group or single rider has been on the roads at the time it could have been serious.

What can we do to get more campsites and more close roads open? I would be glad to help wherever I can.

NRC Meeting tomorrow! June 3rd...........

At 2:45 tomorrow there will be discussion of the PRC then at 4:30 public comments will be heard. Please, if you can make it down to the Lansing Center I urge you to do so. This is part of the process that we must adhere to. We are sure that opposition will be there to state their case against why we should not be given any considertaion. If you do not voice your concerns now-there will be no reason to complain later.

The location for the meeting is-Lansing Center-333 East Michigan Ave. Lansing

Written testimony is also recommended to be submitted no later than June 10th to: Scott Whitcom at.......

dnr-pigeonriver-fmu@michigan.gov

All comments will be taken and reviewed for later consideration.

agenda may be seen here:

http://www.michigan.gov/documents/dnr/agnJUNE10-G_321393_7.pdf-

I had a conference call yesterday with Frank Ruswick, Scott Whitcom and Lynne Boyd.  Communications have been opened and we are in hopes that they will continue. I expressed to them many of the same concerns that you have.   They have heard from me but need to hear from you-  Something must be done and we need your help now more than ever.  There are those who do not want us there and will not give up till their mission is complete.  Just remember also that there will soon be an election and we must work towards getting the right person in this position!  It could mean the difference in keeping our state or losing it!