Forest Supervisor
Attn: Trails DEIS
50 Highway 145 South,
Harrisburg, IL 62946

Subject: Addendum to comments re: DEIS

The STC adds the following to its original comments.

Additional trailheads are needed but the proposed size of the trailheads is not adequate. The size of rigs (truck/trailer combination) used to transport horses can be 30 feet or more. The large size must be considered when planning these trailheads so that more than 5 – 10 rigs could use the same trailhead. If the idea is the disperse usage from the horse campgrounds and private land, then these trailheads must be adequate in size to accommodate potential users. The FS must expect an increased demand for these trailheads because of the restriction of access from private property in a magnitude that is not reflected in this draft. Increasing the size of existing trailheads will also be necessary to accommodate the increased demand if private property access is denied.

Burden Falls trailhead is listed in this draft with the capability of holding 2 trailers yet this spot which is the parking area at Burden Falls itself would allow only one trailer and then no other vehicles could use this spot. It should be not considered an equine trailhead as it is the only parking area for everyone to use who visits Burden Falls. There is an area East of Burden Falls along the roadway that would be an appropriate place for a trailhead that could accommodate several trailers.

There must be a time limit for the winter and wet weather closures. The objective is to have these closures only while the trails are brought to an all-weather standard. If there is no time limit than the process could be drug out for an indefinite time. With the history of past administrations, this is a very definite possibility. A 2-year time limit will give a goal that can be seen by those restricted by the closures and a deadline for the Forest Service to get their all-weather trails completed.

The capital expenditures, which include such things as the horse itself, horse tack, trailers, should be included in the profiles because without them a visit to the forest is impossible. The assumption must be that all things items would be acquired without visiting the Shawnee Forest. Whether this is a valid argument doesn’t change the fact that without the cost of the horse, trailer, truck, all equipment, feed, supplies and gas, the visit would be impossible.

As a final comment regarding the trail designation project, the STC states that the restrictions proposed with Alternative 2 and 4 do not support the policy of the Forest Service as an Equal Opportunity Provider. Designation of the trials is necessary; restrictions not only are not necessary they are discriminatory towards equestrians.

Respectfully submitted,

Linda Granneman, President