Action Alert: Waterloo Recreation Area

[jajones]

MDNR to Authorize Damage of Natural Resources this Weekend

[flynnster]

Well now that seems backwards? I mean I understand that it will prove a point, but isn't this a point that has been proven time and time again? Horses damage some trails, yes they have rights to have trails to ride on, and they do have trails, but certain trails can't handle massive animals.

[jajones]

Note: This is the trail section used for the Triple Trail Challenge each year.

[G.Cook]

It would seem the equestrians are out to prove a point .
This is all very disappointing and a bitter pill to swallow .
Lets "burn the village to save the village" didn't work back then either .
E-mail sent to Mr.Jones

[RMXByker]

Wait, wasn't April fools awhile ago...

[i69whitey]

is this section open to bikes?
is it in need of some trail work?

seems to be a good day to be out there...

[spwrozek]

Hiking only. Waterloo doesn't have any bike trails and realistically never will. (the little loop in the south does not count as a bike trail)

[jajones]

It is not open to bikes normally, but it is open for the Poto Chapter's Triple Trail Challenge. In all likelihood, the trail will be damaged by this event to the point where using it for the Triple Trail may no longer be viable.

We intend on having a group out there documenting the carnage. There may be a peaceful protest in the works as well. Watch this space.

[Loren]

Protest away, but I think I would focus on documentation and details.

Use this day as an opportunity to make a great youtube documentary to share far and wide.

Find a fall line up hill that you're worried about, one in pretty good shape. Place some small stakes well off the trail, stretch straightedge across and use this to locate and measure the trailbed width and depth at the bottom (where sediment will eventually end up), mid hill, and near the top. Good before photos of the whole works. Have someone hd video as they climb the hill, focusing on hooves from time to time. Leave the stakes. Photograph the after condition, and measure the trailbed again. Wait until more serious rain happens (chance Sunday, Sunday evening) and measure again.

[RickPlite]

Protest away, but I think I would focus on documentation and details.

Use this day as an opportunity to make a great youtube documentary to share far and wide.

Find a fall line up hill that you're worried about, one in pretty good shape. Place some small stakes well off the trail, stretch straightedge across and use this to locate and measure the trailbed width and depth at the bottom (where sediment will eventually end up), mid hill, and near the top. Good before photos of the whole works. Have someone hd video as they climb the hill, focusing on hooves from time to time. Leave the stakes. Photograph the after condition, and measure the trailbed again. Wait until more serious rain happens (chance Sunday, Sunday evening) and measure again.

excellent!

[SteveF]

Protest away, but I think I would focus on documentation and details.

Use this day as an opportunity to make a great youtube documentary to share far and wide.

Find a fall line up hill that you're worried about, one in pretty good shape. Place some small stakes well off the trail, stretch straightedge across and use this to locate and measure the trailbed width and depth at the bottom (where sediment will eventually end up), mid hill, and near the top. Good before photos of the whole works. Have someone hd video as they climb the hill, focusing on hooves from time to time. Leave the stakes. Photograph the after condition, and measure the trailbed again. Wait until more serious rain happens (chance Sunday, Sunday evening) and measure again.

It's ironic to me that this is the same methodology that anit-mtber's use to document damage from riding...just sayin'.

I wonder if this section of trail is being sacrificed to shore up the DNR's opposition to opening up more sensitive trails to equestrian use? Maybe the DNR hopes to document the damage from this event and use it to keep this sort of thing from happening again.

[Loren]

Right. Feels like we can help the DNR in that cause by being there to document and publish.

[Paul Brown]

Protest away, but I think I would focus on documentation and details.

Use this day as an opportunity to make a great youtube documentary to share far and wide.

Find a fall line up hill that you're worried about, one in pretty good shape. Place some small stakes well off the trail, stretch straightedge across and use this to locate and measure the trailbed width and depth at the bottom (where sediment will eventually end up), mid hill, and near the top. Good before photos of the whole works. Have someone hd video as they climb the hill, focusing on hooves from time to time. Leave the stakes. Photograph the after condition, and measure the trailbed again. Wait until more serious rain happens (chance Sunday, Sunday evening) and measure again.

It's ironic to me that this is the same methodology that anit-mtber's use to document damage from riding...just sayin'.

I wonder if this section of trail is being sacrificed to shore up the DNR's opposition to opening up more sensitive trails to equestrian use? Maybe the DNR hopes to document the damage from this event and use it to keep this sort of thing from happening again.

No need to wonder, he as much said so in the article.

[jajones]

Loren,

Yep. Pretty much everything you said is going to be in the works -- video taping, measurement, etc.

You know, some others have pointed out that this presents a good opportunity to document the damage horses can do to a trail, and they are right. However, I'd prefer that the damage doesn't occur in the first place.

Using the even to prove that horses do damage is akin to me proving I can't drive by me getting behind the wheel and killing someone.

Steve,

All trail use has an impact, but some uses on some trails have far greater impact than others. Anybody can argue anything at anytime. It doesn't mean they are right. To try to measure the damage done to a trail tread by equine use vs. mountain bike use -- well, the two don't even come close.

[SteveF]

Steve,

All trail use has an impact, but some uses on some trails have far greater impact than others. Anybody can argue anything at anytime. It doesn't mean they are right. To try to measure the damage done to a trail tread by equine use vs. mountain bike use -- well, the two don't even come close.

I agree with you--having ridden Custer before and after equestrians expanded their access. Don't get me wrong--I'm opposed to this ride/event/experiment--whatever it is. I'm just trying to understand why it's happening...