The following is an update on the trail conferences I attended representing the California
State Horsemen's Association. The information and knowledge that I acquired is so expansive
that it would be impossible to report on everything that was discussed and discovered.
I hope that if you are working on trials and/or concerned with trails in our region that
you will contact me for resource information.
September 12th - 16th - Sixth Nation Conference on National Scenic and Historic Trails
Held at the Zephyr Point Conference Center, Zephyr Cove, NV. My main goal in attending
this conference was to play watch dog and make sure no trail exclusions were applied to
trails used by horses i.e. Pacific Crest Trail, Pony Express Trail, Oregon Trail, San Juan
Bautista De Anza Trail and more.
Steve Elkington, Program Director for the National Trails System Programs of the National
Park Service Washington, D.C. Office, opened with "My Dream for a Full-Performance National
Tails System" finding ways we can obtain adequate funding for our tail projects and trail
operations.
Funding is an important part of trails as with everything else these days. It is not enough
to just demand a trail stay opened to horses, there has to be a means. NPS and other
government agencies allocate funds to top priority projects, other than trials, additional
monies need to be found along with lobbing the existing funds to go toward maintaining existing
an trails.
There are numerous funds available and a wide variety of ways to request them. Do you need
help with a project in your area? Please contact me.
Other significant highlights:
- Working with Federal, State, and local partner's community organizations and land trust to bring private land into publics ownership.
- Trails are all about people, and trial work is all dependants upon people.
- Public Lands: How can we insure that the tails community is on the agenda and the right people are in the right places with new elections?
January 26, 2000 - Yosemite National Parks Plan has been changed to the Merced River Plan.
In brief the presence of horses in Yosemite Park is endangered. It should concern all
equestrians that the historic presence of the horse in Yosemite i.e. trails, staging areas
and the famous Curry Stables could become "history" - gone forever only preserved in our
memories and photographs. . Are you doing anything in your area to make fellow equestrians
aware of this danger??????
February 3rd, 200 - State Parks Commission public input on the "Certification of Weed Free
Forage, hay Straw and Mulch"
California Food and Agriculture Code Section 5101 is something you need to stand up and pay
attention to. "The purpose of these rules is for the certification of forage free from
noxious weeds. Forage certified under these procedures will satisfy the requirements of the
UNS Forest Service, Bureau of Land management, the National Park Service and any other agency
accepting these procedures, permitting only weed free forage on land under their control.
Included is definition of terms, state lists of noxious weeds, procedures for inspection
certification of weed free forage, and procedures for identifying and tracking certified
forage crops. Authority of certifies forage as week free is authorized under Section 5101
of the California Food and Agricultural Code. In brief: you will not be able to pack up
your horse & hay and "head for the hills".
These government agencies are
"talking quarantine" before you can enter the back county and buying special certified feed
as the only acceptable food source for your horse while in the back county. Interested?
What to know what the status is? Pick up the phone and or send an e-mail to
bobsvedeen@shasta.com.
March 11th - 15th, 2000 American Hiking Society - Hike the Hill: Trails Advocacy Week 2000
Funding was a large part of this conference as well regarding accessing state trails funding.
NPS (National Park Service),- The federal government taxes no reusable resources such as oil
and gas and money goes into government funding such as LWCG (land and water conservation funds)
for renewable resources. The money from that fund is distribution to states (through matching
grants) for various projects for renewable resources such as parks and rails. The state of
California receives three times the dollars available for any other state for the purpose of
renewable resources.
Department of Transportation - through recreation trails programs and transportation
enhancements. Are you aware of these programs? Are you working on trails in your regions?
Roundtable meetings were held with the NPS (National Park Service), BLM (Bureau of Land
Management) and the USCA Forest Service, which afforded attendees a wealth of information.
Volunteerism on public lands was also discussed.
The information, discussions, and resources are too extensive to be contained in this report.
If you are concerned and dedicated to trails in your area, state, or across the nation,
please contact me and I will be glad to help.
Hope to see you all on the trails, if I can get way for all these conferences!
Happy Trails,
Bob
For further information about our valuable horse trails, please contact Bob Svedeen
bobsvedeen@shasta.com or visit the
California State Horsemen's Association website www.calstatehorsemen.com
and become a member.
Write for permission to reprint. bobsvedeen@shasta.com
