SHAWNEE TRAIL CONSERVANCY
PO BOX 44
EDDYVILLE, IL 62928
February 2005 

NEW FOREST PLAN OUT THIS SPRING
From the Desk of Linda Granneman, President of STC

Riding season is just around the corner and I'm sure we're all ready to hit the trails. The STC hopes you make the Shawnee National Forest part of your trail riding this season.
The future of the trail riding in the Shawnee looks very promising. Everyone, except for Trailriders, has overlooked the Shawnee for years. But we now have direct legislative and judicial involvement that has brought the forest to the forefront in the Forest Service. There will be changes, none of which will happen overnight and we may not like all the changes that will occur, but gain always comes with some type of cost.
The ongoing court case regarding outfitter permits may be resolved shortly and when we have a ruling, we will post the information on our website and in the newsletter.
One thing is for certain, the STC will continue to keep our focus of advocating the best trail system possible for the Shawnee. Your support in this endeavor is extremely important and very much appreciated.

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Editor's Message:
At the December STC meeting, we enjoyed a potluck supper at the Little Lusk Lodge, courtesy of Lonnie & Peggy Barger. During our meeting it was reported that Mark Overturf of Elizabethtown, IL won the saddle raffle. He chose to take the $500 in lieu of the saddle, so we ended up with Lonnie Barger bidding $505 for the saddle. That was $5 more than Peggy Barger bid for it. Sorry Peg, I guess Lonnie gets it. 
Bill Blackorby said that private landowners are covered under the IL Equine Law if they don't charge for people to come on their property. We all need to post a liability sign on our property. 
In the January meeting, we discussed the IL Horse Fair, who was to acquire a raffle saddle, and the need for volunteers. If any of you are going to the Horse Fair, March 4 - 6th, we would appreciate your stopping by the STC booth and saying "hi". Or, better yet, offer to stand in for an hour so the folks manning the booth can go out and see what's happening. We really would appreciate some more volunteers.
Linda Granneman reported that a man has 40 acres south of Eddyville for sale. If anyone is interested in it, give Linda a call at 618-672-4786 or email her at monet2@shawneelink.com for more information.
Sue Perina, our STC secretary, has written up a Shawnee Update to give you an idea of where things are in regards to the ongoing Shawnee problems.
The Forest Revision Plan draft EIS and the Trails Designation Projects have scheduled release dates of February 2005 (with 90 days to send in your comments) and April 2005 (with 45 days to send in your comments) respectively according to the Shawnee Quarterly. We will need to get copies of the drafts and go from there. It is very important that we send in comments.
A congressional action needs your attention. The Right-to-Ride legislation introduced by Representative George P. Radanovich (R-CA) last year and passed by the House had to be reintroduced with the new congress. We all need to email or write our representatives in both houses and ask them to support that bill. 
The Illinois Horse Fair will be March 4 - 6th. There will be more information later in the newsletter.
The Bureau of Land Management will be holding their horse and burro adoptions again this year. It may be more imperative that we give adopting these animals some serious thought as congress has ruled that excess animals may now be slandered.
And you may be interested in knowing the fate of the gold fish that I put in the horse tank last year as a means of naturally keeping the mosquito larva under control. I said that they are carp and to not put them in yours or anyone else's pond. Well, my three have lived under the water heater in the horse tank all winter and have been getting bigger. One thing I would suggest if you get some, get gold ones. I bought calico colored ones and they are hard to see in the tank when I want to count noses.


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SHAWNEE TRAIL CONSERVANCY OFFICERS AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS
2004 - 2005

-------------Officers----------------


President - Linda Granneman
RR #1, Box 23A
Stonefort, IL 62987
618-672-4786
monet2@shawneelink.com

Vice president - Garry Jenkins
9009 Neber Rd, Marion, IL 62959
618-964-1564
wcfbgw@aol.com

Secretary - Sue Perina
3855 Somerset Rd
Harrisburg, IL 62946
618-252-0077
mouse2@shawneelink.com

Treasurer - Nancy Perisho
1055 Gilead Rd
Vienna, IL 62995
618-658-2816
whsprpn@verizon.net

Past President - Darrell Perisho
1055 Gilead Rd
Vienna, IL 62995
618-658-2816
whsprpn@verizon.net


----------Directors----------


Dorothy Arjes
10 Packentuck Rd
Ozark, IL 62972
618-777-0296
bdarjes@gte.net

Roger Bailey
PO Box 2284
121 North 10th
Mt Vernon, IL 62864
618-266-7600
bailey@mvn.net

Lonnie Barger
RR #1, Box 245
Stonefort, IL 62987
618-672-4303
barger5@hotmail.com

Bill Barnett
PO Box 186
Eddyville, IL 62928
618-672-4751
bilmolly@shawneelink.net

David Flanders
RR #2, Box 3020
High Knob Rd
Equality, IL 62934
618-275-4346

Michael Grubbe
2520 St Rd, 127 N.
Jonesboro, IL 62952
618-833-3445

Dick Manders
PO Box 40
Eddyville, IL 62928
618-672-4249
Manders@shawneelink.com
Fax: 618-672-4739

Denny Maxon
RR #1, Box 209
Stonefort, IL 62987
618-672-4748
circle2@shawneelink.net

Scarlett Miller
14618 Monitor Lane
Marion, IL 62959
scarlettmiller@earthlink.net

Mike Scott
60 Hilltop Lane
Simpson, IL 62985
618-695-5157
donk@shawneelink.net

Sue Simmons
270 Ozark Rd
Ozark, IL 62972
618-777-2775
cgkbls@shawneelink.net

Lucy Walker
RR #1, Box 219
Stonefort, IL 62987
618-672-5001


Association Directors - None
All Officers' and Directors' terms expire 10/2005

STC would like to thank Bart Lane for all the help and support he's given us these past years. Unfortunately, he's had to step down as director because of a conflicting time schedule, making it impossible to get to the meetings. Mike Scott has agreed to replace Bart. Thank you both. Your continued support is greatly appreciated.

All members are invited to our regular meetings held every 3rd Thursday of the month at 7 PM. These are usually held at Dolly's Place in Vienna. You may come a little early and join others for a delicious supper.

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A WORD ON THE SHAWNEE TRAIL CONSERVANCY

The Shawnee Trail Conservancy is a grassroots nonprofit corporation which advocates multi-use of the Shawnee National Forest for recreational and sporting interests; yet, is dedicated to preserving and protecting its natural resources through proper trail maintenance, good trail signing, and education of trail, camping and hunting users to achieve a low environmental impact and wise usage management practices. Our mission is to keep the Shawnee available, now and in the future, to the public for its use and enjoyment in a responsible manner.

The Facts

· Over 15,000 acres of Shawnee National Forest, which have been designated as natural areas, have been closed off to equestrian, motorized, biking, camping, rock climbing and repelling. These areas are some of the most scenic areas of the forest and have been used by recreationists since the government acquired this land. Before that time it was privately owned farms, ranches, and homesteads. Now we are being told that this farm ground is sensitive, fragile and pristine. The definition of pristine according to Webster's New World is *1. Characteristic of the earliest period or condition; original *2. Still pure; unspoiled. It is way past pristine as it was farm ground in the resent past; it can only develop into something new.
· Seven of these natural areas were to have horse trails through them and we were promised that these areas would not be closed until these designated trails were on the ground. However, all 81 natural areas have been closed including those 7 and we don't know "when and if" these horse trails will ever be built.
· ATV's were banned from the entire forest in 1995 as a result of a lawsuit brought against the forest service by local radical environmentalists. The judge ordered the forest service to complete an environmental impact study concerning ATV use in the Shawnee. No study has been done to date and none of the 286 miles of ATV trails, which were to have been built in the 1992 forest plan, have been constructed. As a result of the forest service's complacency, hunters have been impacted by the inability to use an ATV to get to campsites in the forest's interior and to retrieve the deer they kill. Again a group of forest recreationalists are being denied what the forest plan had promised them.
· The Shawnee Trail Conservancy seeks to help the local county government reclaim jurisdiction on the old public roads that run through the forest service grounds. These old public roads, which were never legally closed, have been used by equestrians as trails and could be dedicated as recreational multi-use trails by the local counties. Many of these old public roads go through the closed natural areas. We DO NOT seek to re-open old roads that go across private property, just the roads which go across the forest service land.
· The local economy has suffered significantly through coalmine closures and job displacement. Tourism, because of the Shawnee National Forest, is Southern Illinois' biggest asset. Trail riders alone bring in $3.8 BILLION annually to the state of Illinois. Much of that money can come to southern Illinois, which contains the most popular trail riding area in the central part of the country. Hunters, campers, fisherman, bikers, ATV riders, equine recreationalists, and hikers all contribute MILLIONS OF DOLLARS to our economically depressed region.
· We support designated trails, a forest-wide trail mapping and signing program, and a comprehensive continuing trail maintenance program with the funding and manpower necessary to accomplish this task. A 1000 mile trail system that is 4 feet wide would encompass only 485 acres of the 280,000 acre Shawnee National Forest. This is only 2/10th of 1%!! 

PLEASE SUPPORT US IN OUR FIGHT TO KEEP TRAILS OPEN BY JOINING TODAY! ALL USERS MUST UNITE OR WE WILL BE SHUT OUT ONE GROUP AT A TIME. DUES AND DONATIONS GO TOWARD LEGAL EXPENSES, NEWSLETTERS AND TRAIL MAINTENANCE.

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SHAWNEE UPDATE
By Sue Perina 
I thought I would update you on what's going on down here in the Shawnee this fall and winter. 
The Forest Service is working on the draft trail plan that was to come out in January, but is now coming out in April, possibly, with implementation in June of 2005; and on the proposed Revised Land and Resource Management Plan and the draft environmental impact statement (DEIS) on the proposed plan revision and alternatives coming out sometime around the middle of February that would replace the existing Revised Forest Plan of 1992. Both plans will enter comment periods as soon as they are presented. 
Meanwhile, meetings between the Forest Service, the Shawnee Campgrounds, several environmental groups and Judge Gilbert (the U.S. 7th District Court of Southern Illinois) are ongoing. Much to Judge Gilbert's credit, he went on a walk into the Lusk Creek area with representatives of the above groups. Hopefully, there will be a positive outcome from these meetings and walks. It is, however, a temporary fix. The new "Trail Plan" and "Forest Plan" will be what we will be living with for the next 10 to 15 years. That's why it is vitally important to be involved now. 
Once "The Plan" comes out, I have no doubt that we will be in court again. That brings me to my request of you. If you enjoy the Shawnee and plan to continue having a quality riding experience here, we need your help. I know you probably think that we are "crying wolf" again, but the wolf is here and it is real. It is, and will be, an ongoing battle. I feel like the Shawnee is so beautiful and such a precious jewel that it is worth it. The ongoing court battles have taken their toll financially. We will continue needing funds to address this ongoing struggle. If there were any way that you could donate any amount to the STC at this time, it would be greatly appreciated. Consider it an investment in your future. We are a 501 C-3, so your donations are tax deductible. You should also write to your congressmen and have them put pressure on the Forest Service to make sure we have a quality designated trail system without shutting out open riding. What we are asking for is a trail system that we can live with, goes to places of interest, and allows for the open riding we now can experience out of the natural areas. 
We will be having several fundraisers this year. There will be a saddle raffle at the horse fair (which will go on until fall); and, hopefully, a rally in October down here in the Shawnee. If you don't go to the Horse Fair in March, but are interested in purchasing raffle tickets, you can send your request and money to the Shawnee Trail Conservancy, P.O. Box 44, Eddyville, IL, 62928. If anyone out there has any other suggestions for raising money, we are certainly interested in hearing your ideas. 
Thank you all for your support over the years. 
Happy Trails (We hope),
Sue P.

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SHAWNEE NATIONAL FOREST REVISION PLAN 
AND TRAILS DESIGNATION PROJECTS

According to the January 2005 Shawnee Quarterly, the (Forest-wide) Forest Revision Plan draft EIS document is in preparation and scheduled now for a mid February 2005 release with expected implementation in August 2005. The contact person for this proposed action is Steve Hupe - SO, (618) 253-7114. The October 2004 Shawnee Quarterly (The Shawnee National Forest Newsletter) stated that the deciding official for the Forest Revision Plan is the regional forester, which would make that person Randy Moore in Milwaukee. The decision date for the Forest Plan Revision of the 1992 Amended Land and Resource Management Plan is scheduled for July 2005.
The Trails Designation Project (Phase I) involving Big Grand Pierre Creek, Eagle Creek, Lusk Creek, and Upper Bay Creek Watersheds analysis is underway with a draft document release date of April 2005. The proposed actions in these subject watersheds is designation of system trails, construction of trailheads, amend Forest Plan to increase trail density in wilderness, and to restrict equestrian use to system trails in these subject watersheds. Tim Pohlman at (618) 253-7114 is the contact person for this project. The forest supervisor, Allen Nicholas, is the deciding official on the draft decision.
After these two important drafts are released you will have 90 days to express your concerns regarding the draft Forest Revision Plan and 45 days to respond to the Trails Designation Project draft. If you don't send in a response, you will have no legal recourse. The forest service will eventually be able to close down all of the forest except for the few miles of trails (which will include roadways and highways) they decide are adequate, in effect making it all mainly a natural area. Numbers and numbers of responses are needed. And please send copies of your responses to your representatives. I would imagine that the Regional Office in Milwaukee is getting very tired of our representatives becoming involved in this. So we really need to keep the pressure on them.

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FOREST SERVICE ISSUES NEW REGULATIONS
Wednesday, December 22, 2004 
Contact Brian Kennedy at (202) 226-9019

Washington, DC - Today the Bush Administration issued new Forest Planning Regulations that will help simplify and streamline implementation of the 1976 National Forest Management Act (NFMA), the law that directs management plans to be developed and implemented for all national forests (over 120 of them) every fifteen years. Today's action will also rescind the previous rule as well as create a new Categorical Exclusion under NEPA, for adopting, revising and amending forest plans.
"I applaud the Bush Administration's actions today to modernize the archaic planning process the Forest Service has been using since 1982 to manage our national forests-----this is long past due," said Resources Committee Chairman Richard W. Pombo (R-CA). "Under current procedures it takes the agency 7 years and $7.5 million, on average, to produce just one forest plan. The process is so burdensome and time consuming that the plans are obsolete before they are finished. These Soviet-like methods have produced so many outdated plans and so much red-tape that the agency has been incapable of responding to changing conditions in our forests; such as insect and disease outbreaks, hurricane and storm damage, and catastrophic wildfire." 
The Administration's new regulations will streamline the process while continuing to allow for full public participation. This new policy will also require more active participation by scientists and better utilization of current scientific data. 
"Undoubtedly, some extreme groups will respond in predictable fashion, using sky-is-falling rhetoric to mischaracterize this necessary revision," Pombo continued. "Anyone caring, however, for the thoughtful and timely management of our national forests, and for reducing the waste of taxpayer's money, will join me in support of the new regulations and their speedy implementation."

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RIGHT TO RIDE LEGISLATION RIDES AGAIN

On September 21, 2004 the House of Representatives passed H.R. 2966, the Right-to-Ride bill. Unfortunately, due to it being election year, the Right-to-Ride Legislation didn't have time to make it through the Senate. Bill #H.R. 2966 has been reintroduced to the 109th Congress in the House as Bill #H.R. 586. It will need to pass both the House and the Senate. Please write your representatives asking them to vote in favor of the Right-to-Ride bill.
Mr. RADANOVICH (R-Ca) introduced bill # HI 586: To preserve the use and access of pack and saddle stock animals on public lands, including wilderness areas, national monuments, and other specifically designated areas, administered by the National Park Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, or the Forest Service where there is a historical tradition of such use, and for other purposes. 
To mediate concerns regarding the bill, some changes were made to the original legislation. Language was added that stated that H.R. 586 did not give priority or precedence over other multiple users. In addition, language was also included which stated that the Secretary of Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture would retain the authority to issue Special Use Permits as well as continue to authorize emergency closures.
Specifically the legislation mandates that the lands should be managed by the federal agencies to preserve and facilitate the continued use and access of pack and saddle stock animal on such lands, including wilderness areas, national monument, and other specifically designated areas, where there is a historical tradition of such use. 
Representative Radanovich stated that he introduced this bill to help people who ride horses and other pack animals, who are being severely restricted on certain federal land. "Riding livestock is a great way to explore and experience our federal lands", he said, "and we must preserve our riding heritage. Unfortunately, livestock use is under fire from national environmental fund-raising organizations who seek to restrict access to federal lands." H.R. 586 (alias H.R. 2966) recognizes the historical precedent of this recreational activity and ensures that people can still ride pack and saddle animals on federal land. Specifically H.R. 586 makes certain that our public lands will be managed to preserve and facilitate the continued recreational use of pack and saddle stock animals.

If you have any questions about the Right-to-Ride bill please contact the AHC.
1616 H Street NW 7th Floor, Washington, DC 2006, phone 202-296-4031, fax 202-296-1970
Email AHC@horsecouncil.org. Web Address www.horsecouncil.org 

PLEASE WRITE YOUR REPRESENTATIVES AND ENCOURAGE THEM TO VOTE "yes" FOR H.R. 586 - THE RIGHT TO RIDE BILL.
PLEASE PASS THE WORD TO YOUR FRIENDS IN AND OUT OF YOUR STATE TO CONTACT THEIR SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVES TO VOTE FOR THIS BILL. 

Illinois Senators Durbin and Obama should be apprised of the loss in revenue for southern Illinois if equine recreationalists are shut out of the Shawnee National Forest. They should also know that the Shawnee is not a wilderness forest, but old farm ground and has plenty of old horse roads and trails.

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WELCOME TO THE ILLINOIS HORSE FAIR

By the Horsemen’s Council of Illinois

            Chris Cox, the common sense horseman from RFD TV, headlines all-breed expo & industry trade show along with western pleasure, reining, dressage, saddle seat show breeds clinics.

            With Chris Cox, the common sense horseman featured on RFD TV, headlining an impressive group of training experts and educational clinicians, plus 130 vendors offering “everything equestrian,” more than 20 breed and sport demos, Stallion row and HorsesForSale Aisles; Illinois Horse Fair is an exciting weekend for horse people of all preferences.

            Originally from Australia, Cox now lives at his Outback Ranch in Mineral Wells, TX.  At Horse Fair, he will do three sessions in the Livestock Center on Friday; on Saturday and Sunday in the Coliseum he’ll do two-hour round pen demonstrations in the morning and training sessions in the afternoon using the full arena, plus host Q & A sessions in the Livestock Center Seminar Hall.

            Illinois Horse Fair offers an outstanding educational program with many opportunities to enhance your equestrian education. Joining Chris Cox is one of the Western pleasure world’s most respected trainers, Steve Heckaman of Aubrey, TX, plus national and international clinicians:  Canadian dressage rider-trainer-coach Lee Tubman from Ontario;  reining professional Brent Loseke from Aubrey, TX;  Saddle Seat Show Breeds clinician Mitch Clark from Danville, KY.  Horse Fair also presents regional authorities – trainers, veterinarians, and PhD’s – who help make it a must-attend event for all horse people.

            Horse Fair opens on Friday, 3-9 PM, when early bird shoppers will have access to vendors’ full stock of merchandise plus save money on special Friday-only promotions and admission charge. 

            The shopping is outstanding at Illinois Horse Fair.  Best in the state.  It’s virtually an equestrian shopping center, with more than 130 different commercial vendors featuring saddlery, clothing, boots and hats, jewelry, art, equestrian services, barns and fencing, even colleges with equine programs.  More than 90 horse trailers will be on display by dealers ready to make sales. 

            Visitors are welcomed on Stallion Row and HorsesForSale Aisles.  Mare owners can check out the breeding stallions on Stallion row and in the daily Parade of Stallions, while almost everyone wants to see what’s stabled on the HorsesforSale aisles.

            Illinois Horse Fair 2005 Ticket Order Information:

General Admission:  Group rates – 10 or more tickets bought in advance -- $1 off per ticket.  Child (12 and under) and Senior (55 and over).  Preschoolers admitted free.

            Friday tickets:  Adults @ $6 each.  Child/Senior @ $4 each.

            Saturday or Sunday tickets:  Adults @ $12 each.  Child/Senior @ $10 each

            Weekend Pass (3 Days):  Adult @ $20 each.  Child/Senior @ $10 each

            Preferred Seating for Chris Cox Morning Demos:

9:30 – 11:30 a.m.  Seats just outside the round pen on the Coliseum arena floor provide the best view and permit viewers to ask questions.  These tickets do not include Horse Fair admission.

            Saturday 9:30 a.m.:  Develop confidence thru seat position.  Seats @ $20 each

            Sunday 9:30 a.m.:  Starting the young horse.  Seats @ $20 each

WANT TO BE PART OF AN AMERICAN LEGEND?

The Bureau of Land Management is responsible for the wild horse and burro herds on BLM administered western public lands. To maintain an ecological balance and protect rangelands from overgrazing, animals are gathered from the fragile rangelands, as directed by Congress, and made available to citizens for a reasonable adoption fee. These horses are noted for their endurance, sure-footedness and intelligence. Animals, including yearlings and horses under 5 years old, as well as a few burros, will be available for adoption. All animals have been examined by a veterinarian, vaccinated, de-wormed, and blood-tested prior to being offered for adoption to good homes.
Since the Adopt-A-Wild Horse & Burro Program began in 1973, over 200,000 animals have been adopted nationwide. Gentled wild horses in the Midwest are used for trail riding, dressage, western events, and other disciplines. Wild horses adopted by the U.S. Army Caisson Platoon and U.S. Park Police may be seen at Arlington Cemetery and in the Nation's capitol. Burros are great companion animals and are used by farmers for predator control. 
Prospective adopters must have sturdy corrals, at least 6 feet high for horses and 5 feet for burros and yearlings, shelter, transportation, and the means of caring for the animals. The adoption order will be determined by lottery, with an adoption fee of $125 per animal. The fees help defray the Federal Government's cost to gather, provide veterinary care, transportation and administrative expenses. Adopters must provide their own stock-type, step-up trailer. Trailers with ramps, interior dividers or split two-horse type trailers are not allowed. BLM staff will sort, halter and load animals onto the adopters' trailers. Applications to adopt may be screened in advance by mail or fax and will be reviewed in person starting Friday. Adopters must be approved to adopt animals. Call early to be pre-approved before you come and avoid the lines.
2005 dates for adoption at the Ewing facility are February 19-20, March 16-17, July 16-17, and September 17-18 with previewing usually on the Friday before.
The Ewing facility is located 5 miles east of Ewing, Illinois, at 22295 Sheep Farm Rd. From Interstate 57, take exit 77 (S.R.154) east, turn north on State Route 37 and go 1 mile, turn east (right) on Ewing Rd., go 8 miles (3 miles past the town of Ewing) and turn north (left) onto Sheep Farm Rd., go 1½ miles. The facility is at the intersection of Sheep Farm Rd. and Bobtail Rd. 
Other locations offering adoptions are Columbia, MO on May 7-8th, Sterling, IL on July 9-10, and Carthage, MO on September 24-25 in 2005. The BLM is also offering Internet adoption from March 9-30 and August 10-31. 
For applications, facility and trailer requirements, or other information about this event, contact the Bureau of Land Management, Meadowood SRMA at 1-800-370-3936 or visit the website at www.es.blm.gov. A Wild Horse and Burro Specialist must approve adopters' applications prior to being eligible to their being able to adopt. 

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Change to BLM Wild Horse Program
………From: American Horse Council, December 3, 2004

At the end of this Congress, Senator Conrad Burns (R-MT) included a provision in the Omnibus 
Appropriations Bill authorizing (perhaps even requiring) the Secretary of Interior to sell excess wild horses and burros at public sales "without limitation" on their use. Prior to this, such horses could not be sold for processing into commercial products, including food; they could only be sold under the Bureau of Land Management Adopt-a-Horse Program. The new provision provides that any excess horse "shall be sold" if it is over ten years old or if it has been offered unsuccessfully for adoption at least three times. Such horses can be offered for sale "without limitation," including through public sales at livestock selling facilities. The Department is authorized to continue such sales until all excess animals are sold or the "appropriate management level" is reached in all areas occupied by wild horses and burros. Under the new law, the Secretary may determine what that appropriate management level is. The change also provides that any horse sold is no longer considered a "wild free-roaming horse," ending upon its sale any existing protections for such horses under federal laws. 
Monies raised by these sales can be used to fund and market the BLM adoption program and to offset federal funds appropriated for BLM. BLM has indicated that it did not seek this change in the existing law to deal with excess wild horses.
Congress passed the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act in 1971 to protect these animals. Since then, wild horses and burros have proliferated and what to do with these animals has become a complicated and emotional issue. Many western ranchers are concerned that the horses take forage from cattle on the same property. Other people are concerned with the increasing costs of caring for the horses that are not adopted. Still others believe that these horses are part of our American heritage and should be protected.


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STC Thanks its Members

STC wishes to thank our great many generous supporters of STC for their monetary donations in helping us deal with the problems in the Shawnee National Forest. Even though we do not look for court actions involving lawyers, someone has to be there when the preservationalists bring suits against our recreational use of federal lands. We can only be there if we have the funding behind us. Our thanks go to Robin Devilling of Castilian, TN; Gertrude McCullough of Milan, IL; Jim Pearson of Sugar Grove, IL; Joan Creigh of Monticello, IN; Paul & Nancy Hein of Crown Point, IN; Drs. Bill & Brenda Langdon of Tamms, IL; Gary & Yvonne Meckfessel of Troy, IL; John & Tammy Ward of Fairbury, IL; Bob & Dorothy Arjes of Ozark, IL; Mark Collins & Jeannette Falk of Palos Hills, IL; Francis & Karen DeNaro of Elliottsburg, PA; Eileen Jones of Woodridge, IL; and Don Burkhart of Golconda, IL for their donations. 

McKinney's Western Store 
Marion, IL

McKinney's Western Store at Marion also made a sizable donation to STC. They have an extremely nice, newly enlarged and remodeled western store located just southeast of Wal-mart at 900Halfway Rd, (618) 997-6974, for your shopping pleasure. In Mc Kinney's Western Store you will find a large assortment of men's, women's, and children's western wear; name brand boots; hats; Tucker, Circle-Y, Billy Cook, etc. saddles and tack; bridles; bits; saddle blankets; stable sheets; horse health items; ropes; horse shoes and shoeing equipment; western gifts; jewelry; horse feeds; etc. Please consider supporting them with your equine needs. 

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Will Rogers, who died in a plane crash with Wylie Post in 1935, was probably the greatest political sage this country has ever known. Enjoy the following:

1. Never slap a man who's chewing tobacco.
2. Never kick a cow chip on a hot day.
3. There are 2 theories to arguing with a woman...neither works.
4. Never miss a good chance to shut up.
5. Always drink upstream from the herd.
6. If you find yourself in a hole, stop digging.
7. The quickest way to double your money is to fold it and put it back in your pocket.s
8. Good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment.
9. If you're riding' ahead of the herd, take a look back every now and then to make sure it's still there.
10. Lettin' the cat outta the bag is a whole lot easier'n puttin' it back.




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State Line Western World, Inc
Hazel, KY

State Line Western World, Inc. began in Hazel, KY as a small shop in the garage of Larry and Lynda Ward's home in the early 1980's. They carried a few pairs of boots, some belts, and a selection of other items. When the business began to spread into other rooms in the house, a decision was made to move the small "shop" ten miles north in the city limits of Murray, Kentucky. There, the shop became quite a store. They carried more lines of clothing, hats, and boots and brought in some tack and décor items. They also dabbled in the jewelry market by carrying gold, silver and precious stones. The store in Murray also became quite full. Needing more room and wanting to expand even more, State Line Western World moved back to Hazel in the fall of 1994 into a brand new building. The owners, always striving to improve for their customers, began to deal in horse and cattle trailers, expanded the tack line and had racks and racks of clothing and apparel for all shapes and sizes. By the late 1990's, they added on to the building and were dealing in feed for any animal one could imagine.
Now, fifteen years after its first move, State Line Western World, Inc. has moved once more to its present location just inside the north city limits of Hazed. The shopping center is a western lover's shopping Mecca. Apparel, tack, trailers, outside buildings, doghouses, feed, and a huge selection of fine jewelry in equestrian and other styles and décor for home and garden in many styles. There are over 400 hats in stock and rack after rack of boots. A new line is the Ironworks furniture, a custom design of home furnishings to suit any liking. And the best part…all priced to please.
Over the years, State Line Western World, Inc. Shopping Center has become synonymous with quality and value. The owners and staff invite everyone to come by and take a look around. The address is 705 Main Street, Highway 641, Hazel, KY, 42049 and phone # 270-492-6144. Hours are Monday through Friday 9am to 5:30pm; Saturday 9am to 4pm. Or, visit the website at www.statelinewesternworld.com. E-mail address is Statelinewestern@cs.com.

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Welcome to the Country Care Program!

When anyone purchases items on the www.CountrySupply.com website using our code "SHAWNEE TRAILS," our organization will be earning 5% of their purchases (excluding dewormer or shipping). So, help us raise funds by shopping at www.CountrySupply.com. You can choose from thousands of great horse supply items at the best prices, and by entering the COUNTRY-CARE Code "Shawnee Trails" during checkout, Country Supply will donate 5% of your product's purchase price (excluding dewormers and shipping) to the Shawnee Trail Conservancy.



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SHAWNEE ATV/TRAIL RIDERS ASSOCIATION, NFP

"JOINING TOGETHER TODAY, TO ENSURE RIDING PLACES TOMORROW"
Purposes of the Association:

1. To organize and promote safe and enjoyable activities centered on the recreational riding of All Terrain Vehicles (ATV's).
2. To assist in the location, creation, preservation, and the safe operation and use of outdoor ATV recreational riding areas.
3. To petition the State of Illinois, the surrounding county boards, road commissioners to allow ATV use on the secondary and old public roads located within the counties, or not falling under state jurisdiction.
4. To petition the Shawnee National Forest to open some trails for ATV use and open existing horse trails for ATV use. (Note-the original 1992 Forest Service plan had nearly 300 miles set aside for ATV use).
5. To meet with local landowners to discuss private property use
6. To become a leading source of trail riding locations and ATV related information for southern Illinois and the surrounding areas.
7. To make southern Illinois the ATV riding capital of Illinois.
8. Assist charitable organizations and the needy within our local area.

Regular meetings of the Shawnee ATV/Trail Riders Association take place on the 3rd Friday night at 7:30 pm at the Eddyville Community Center. Below is a membership application. Enclose $10.00 with your application and mail to this address. Any questions, contact Jerry Palmer at 618-672-4360 or Ray at phone 618-672-4385.

Ray Henderson
PO Box 116
Simpson, IL 62985
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NAME___________________________________________________________________________

ADDRESS________________________________________________________________________

CITY_________________________________STATE____________________ZIP______________

PHONE#____________________________E-MAIL_______________________________________

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With the upcoming release dates for the Forest Revision Plan draft and the Trails Designation Projects, it is very important that we have your continued membership and financial support. So far, we have had to pay over $20,000 in legal fees! Radical preservationalists constantly try to get the forest grounds shut down and they do it through legal maneuverings. Legal processes are on going; we continue to need your support in membership and monetary donations. STC is the only local organization fighting to keep our quality trails in the Shawnee National Forest. Any necessary appeals are costly, so please send in your renewal today if your newsletter has a date prior to 2005/01 above your name on the Newsletter address and a donation if possible. If you know of someone who should be getting the Newsletter and isn't, please give him or her the renewal form and have them resubmit the information. Please stay informed through the STC Newsletters about the Shawnee. Responses from all users are very important in the direction the FS takes regarding trails, area closures and management policies.
And, please, send comments to your representatives. They won't know what we want unless we let them know. If you don't have your representatives' addresses, please contact one of the STC directors and we will try to help with that information.
You may go to www.shawneetrailconservancy.com for information on the Shawnee Trail Conservancy and its directors.

PLEASE SEND IN YOUR RENEWAL TODAY!! THANKS!! DONATIONS ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE!!

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SAVE OUR SHAWNEE TRAILS!
DATE ____/____/____ _____RENEWAL _____NEW 

NAME _________________________________________________ PHONE ______________________________

ADDRESS _____________________________________ CITY ___________________ STATE ____ ZIP _______ 

E-MAIL ADDRESS _____________________________________________________________________________

INDIVIDUAL $10 ____, FAMILY $20 _____, ORGANIZATION $30 ____, DONATION $_____________________.

DATE RECEIVED BY STC ____/____/____
Make checks payable to: SHAWNEE TRAIL CONSERVANCY. 
Send to: SHAWNEE TRAIL CONSERVANCY, PO BOX 44, EDDYVILLE, IL 62928

STC Newsletter printed by Reppert Publications of Anna, IL. 800-833-5813