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SHAWNEE TRAIL CONSERVANCY Director and newsletter editor Editor’s Message:
Cheryl Blackorby, in needing to
spend more time with Bill and her horse
(or her horse and Bill, which ever comes first), has asked me to write the
STC Newsletter. She will
continue to get the Newsletter printed and have the mailing parties at her
home. Any comments may be mailed or phoned to Cheryl, myself, or
any of the other directors. You
may go to www.shawneetrailconservancy.com
for information on the Shawnee Trail Conservancy and its directors. Included in this newsletter will be a report on the Farm Bureau Washington, DC trip, Forest Service workdays, information on the 1st Annual AITC Trail Ride, and the upcoming court date with Judge Gilbert. Please remember to fill out the Trail Riding Survey you can find on some of the campground websites: www.baycreekranch.com, www.34ranch.com, or www.bearbranch.com. The Farm Bureau Washington, DC trip report:
Following is a bit of background
on the involvement of the IFB with the Shawnee Management Issue.
The Illinois Farm Bureau realized the huge impact the
equine industry had on the farming community. With that in mind, the IFB developed a new Farm Policy
Resolution: #65 Equine Agriculture that states: We
support: 1.
Relationships with entities that would allow access for equine trail
activities on publicly owned recreational trails. 2. The establishment
and maintenance of equine trails on publicly owned property. 3.
Education programs to promote a viable and growing equine industry.
Such programs may include: responsible ownership, animal husbandry,
regulations affecting the equine industry, and disease awareness. 4. Efforts to provide
insurance and liability coverage that is accessible and reasonable for
equine owners and participants involved in equine related activities.
The October 27, 2003 issue of Farm Week, a service of Illinois Farm Bureau, published by the Illinois Agricultural Association, had an article in regards to their interest in the Illinois horse industry. “Equine coalition group develops action plan” “A plan of action was adopted recently when Williamson County Farm Bureau hosted a meeting involving several equine interest groups and Illinois Farm Bureau. “The
meeting was held to discuss forming a coalition group to focus on equine
issues and opportunities within the equine industry. “‘With
a reported 77,000 equine owners and over 200,000 horses in the state,
Illinois Farm Bureau feels it is important to participate in
coalition-building efforts in the industry,” said Brenda Matherly, who
handles equine issues within the IFB governmental affairs and commodities
division. “IFB’s
equine agricultural policy calls for building relationships and coalitions
with equine interest groups. “Along
those lines, the group meeting in Williamson County agreed on the
following plans for action: ·
Develop a fact sheet listing the importance of Illinois’ equine
industry. ·
Distribute the fact sheet to key individuals and organizations,
which have an impact on the industry. ·
Develop a list of key contacts and focus on gaining their support
through face-to-face visits. ·
Develop educational materials on equine opportunities and their
economic impact. “Currently,
the focus of this coalition group centers around equine issues and
opportunities in Southern Illinois, but it is important to recognize that
the state’s overall economy benefits from its equine industry,” said
Matherly. “The
industry provides for more than 15,000 full-time jobs, contributing
tourism dollars, and bolstering the Illinois economy through recreational
activities. “It
also impacts Illinois’ agricultural community: Horses in Illinois
consume 500,000 tons of hay and grain, producing nearly $100,000,000 in
income annually for hay and grain producers.” From
the Oct. 27, 2003 Farm Week Newsletter Following is the fact sheet developed at the Equine Trails Coalition. Three local riders of the ETC members representing various equine organizations and three Illinois Farm Bureau personnel took the fact sheet to Washington, D.C. asking representatives to consider supporting the implementation of the ’92 Forest Management Plan. Equine
Trail Use in the Shawnee National Forest Prepared
by: The Equine Trail
Coalition
The Equine Trail Coalition was formed to ensure the continued use of equine trails and maintenance in the Shawnee National Forest. We believe that equine trails should continue to be an integral part of the Shawnee. Objectives
Access
Establish
Improve
Maintain
ImpactValue
Recreation
Tourism
Summary
of Washington, D.C. Trip by Equine Trail Coalition February
26, 2004 By
Nancy Erickson, Director of Natural Resources, IFB On February 26, 2004, three equine experts from southern Illinois and three Illinois Farm Bureau staff (all representing the Equine Trail Coalition) met with various congressional and agency representatives in Washington, D.C. regarding equine trail use in the Shawnee National Forest. Representing the equine industry were Dorothy Arjes, Deb Charles, and Sue Perina. Staff from Illinois Farm Bureau included Chuck Spencer, Jim Fraley, and Nancy Erickson. The Equine Trail Coalition representatives met with seven congressional offices and staff of the USDA Forest Service. The coalition asked for help in achieving the following objectives:
Implement the 1992 Shawnee Forest
Management Plan.
Designate all user created trails in the
Shawnee as stated in the 1992 Plan.
Continue user created trails for equine
use.
Allow trail access to private ownership
lands.
Allow user groups to help
the Forest Service maintain trails for equine use.
Enhance economies of local communities and small businesses through
equine trail use. The
coalition’s messages were well received by those in Washington.
The coalition story was presented in a coordinated, professional
way by the three equine experts who live in the Shawnee and live the
issues associated with equine trails in the forest.
The group was able to share their views in a very concise and
articulated way and answer questions from first-hand experience.
One of the common questions asked by congressional offices was what they could do. The coalition stated that they wanted help in urging the Forest Service to implement the 1992 Forest Management Plan to ensure equine trails would be available for future use in the Shawnee. During the meeting with the Forest Service, the coalition urged the Forest Service to implement the 1992 Plan. The coalition also discussed ways to work with the Forest Service to increase volunteer efforts in the Shawnee to help develop and maintain trails. The coalition reiterated their willingness to help the Forest Service with responsible management of the forest. The following future actions were also discussed:
Summary: The views of the coalition were professionally expressed during a very timely trip to Washington, D.C. It will be important to use the synergy created by this visit to follow through with communication and future plans to ultimately achieve the coalition’s goals. Please continue to write letters to your representatives and the USDA, requesting that they support the implementation of the ’92 Forest Management Plan. In a letter I received from the director of Recreation, Heritage, and Wilderness Resources in Washington, D. C., David Holland, he stated that the Forest staff (I’m assuming the Washington, DC forest staff) is proposing “a 192-mile multi-purpose trail system within the Grand Pierre, Eagle, Lusk, and Bay watersheds. This proposal allows double the amount of 86 miles of existing trail, while restricting equestrians to designated trails. Approximately 259 miles of user-created trails would be eliminated to protect natural resources.” Looks like we ride on old public roads and the River-to-River trail. The Forest Plan Draft is supposed to be out early this summer. Draft on the Designated Trails should be out this September. A comment period will follow. Please write your letters to both the Forest Service and your representatives and, if possible, send extra donations to the STC for possible legal funds.
Tim Pohlman would like to include STC on his scheduled workdays. At present, he has May 22nd and June 5th (National Trails Day, we need to do this) scheduled as workdays. Give me a call at 618-777-0296 if you are interested in helping.
The IAA Foundation, in association with the Quarter Horse Association, is presenting their 1st Annual Trail Ride benefiting Agriculture in the Classroom. The benefit ride will be held October 1-3, 2004 at 34 Ranch, Herod, IL and will help raise funds for the Illinois Farm Bureau’s Agriculture in the Classroom Program and Equine Education. Agriculture in the Classroom helps teach students some of the rural things that urban students and their teachers have no knowledge about. Some of the things taught include “where food comes from; how safe, abundant, and affordable their food really is; how you protect the environment; and how you use the latest technologies to farm,” explains a sheet developed by the IAA Foundation. Riders are encouraged to collect donations for Agriculture in the Classroom to offset the meal and camping expenses they incur throughout the ride. For more information visit www.iaafoundation.org or call 309-557-2225.
On May 21st,Judge Gilbert, in Federal Court in Benton, IL, will entertain a status hearing on the lawsuit regarding Natural Areas and ATV access issues from March of 2002. At that time, the Shawnee Trail Conservancy, who was enjoined by the Blue Ribbon Coalition, Illinois Trail Riders, and IFOR, filed a suit against the Shawnee National Forest and its Supervisor, Forrest Starkey, claiming failure to properly manage and provide for recreational access opportunities on the forest. Attorney Paul Turcke of Boise, Idaho represents the recreational groups. On April 29, Bill Blackorby collapsed after supper, following a teleconference meeting with STC directors and Paul Turcke. On the advice of his physician and wishes of his family, he is reluctantly resigning as president of STC. He is home from Western Baptist now and feeling better, but is still weak. Our prayers are with him for a speedy recovery.
Our sympathy goes out to the Harvey Kohler family of Troy, IL. Sharon Kohler donated some nice panniers in memory of Harvey. He was an avid sportsman who really loved and enjoyed the Shawnee National Forest.
Our thanks goes to Robert and Beverly Dart – Oblong, IL; Virginia Kuhn – Eldorado, IL; Drs. Bill and Brenda Langdon – Tamms; Joan Creigh – Monticello, IN; Clarence and Suzanne Barr; John McIlroy – Bowling Green, MO; Murray and Phyllis Jackson – Harrisburg, IL; JM and Judy Haas – Payson, AZ; John and Tammy Ward – Fairbury, IL; Fred and Terri Lynn Heywood; Terry and Larry Hansen – Sidney, IL; Eileen Jones – Woodridge, IL; Darin and Lisa Shoemaker – New Burnside/Cedar Lake Ranch, IL: Wendell and Julia Petefish – Eddyville, IL; Lynn Beasley – Vienna, IL; Stephen Heine and Karen Kendall Heine – Princeville, IL; Eileen Jones – Woodridge, IL; Don and Lean Smoot – Danville, IN; Ben and Jane Steffen – Effingham, IL; Dennis and Elizabeth Williams – Carbondale, IL; Tom Luchies – Herod/34 Ranch, IL; Gary and Yvonne Meckfessel – Troy, IL; Carla Bradley – Raleigh, IL; and Margaret Speck and Janice Williams – Blue Mound, IL for their monetary donations to the STC. News flash!! Regarding the Jubilee State Park in Peoria, IL. This is information from Jerry and Deb Benson, some friends who live up by Jubilee State Park. The IL park rangers were trying to shut down a lot of the equine trails due to reasons familiar with all of us. With a lot of communication and volunteer work, those folks have kept their trails and straightened out some illogical problems.
HEY!!
Just thought I'd give you guys an update on the Park. Things
worked out!!
No trail closings, just some rerouting, repairing, etc. Many new
improvements for the old campground!
New rules - all of which we are in favor of and
the new ADA mounting station (You
may not have even seen this yet. It
was IN the main trailhead) is
moving. The monies set aside
for Jubilee thru the stock-horse [Illinois State Stock Horse Association]
is being implemented for many of these improvements. And a good press
moment will happen with the Journal Star here in Peoria for the
equestrians, as concerns the donations towards these state parks -
donations/volunteerisms. We
have a work weekend this Saturday, May 8th, with the new site manager and
some others. A determined
effort does eventually pay off!! I hope our multi-million dollar
industry is finally going to be recognized!! Thanks for your part in
helping OUR backyard! A voice
anywhere is still a voice!! Jerry
and Deb Benson It is very important that we have your continued membership and financial support, so please send in your renewal today if your newsletter is marked with a renewal notice. Please stay informed through the STC Newsletters about the Shawnee, especially during the analysis of the Natural Areas trails, Designated Equestrian Trails Plan and the formulation of the New forest Plan, which sets the management policy for the Shawnee National Forest for the next 15 years. 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. PLEASE
SEND IN YOUR RENEWAL TODAY!! THANKS!!
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