Pigeon River & Beyond - Back Country Horsemen, Michigan

...published in Michigan Outdoor News, Nov. 20, 2009

November 20, 2009
MR. PARKER SAID: The Michigan Legislature was misguided.
TRUTH IS: The Legislature was made aware of some unjust decisions made by the DNR/NRC/PRC and sought to right them.
MR. PARKER SAID: HB4610 would open up ALL state land to trail riding.
TRUTH IS: HB4610 would only re-open those established areas used for trail riding from Jan. 1, 1999 to present, and keep the presently used ones open.
MR. PARKER SAID: The House thumbed its nose at $25 million.
TRUTH IS: U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE PUBLICATION Sec. 21-5 paragraph 2 states that horseback riding is an allowable recreation on federally funded lands.
MR. PARKER SAID: Order did NOT eliminate horseback riding in PRC.
TRUTH IS: ONE TRAIL was left open, along with all county roads and some forest roads, all with vehicular traffic.
MR. PARKER SAID: Hunter money should not maintain riding trails.
TRUTH IS: In the PRC and Northern State Forests, trailriders clear and maintain the trails. In Southern Michigan Forests
trailriders clear and maintain trails. Most equestrians are also hunters who pump money into State and Federal Funds.
MR. PARKER SAID: MUCC said “sound scientific management” should rule.
TRUTH IS: DNR/MUCC wanted to remove “sound scientific management” from HB4610’s companion SB578.
MR. PARKER SAID: “There is room for hunters and horseback riders on state land.”
TRUTH IS: We already knew that, the problem lies within the DNR/NRC/PRC they don’t want all to share.

Respectfully submitted by,
Marieta Davis, Equestrian
9642 Long Lake Rd
Montgomery, Michigan
517 296 4475