This affects *all* the trails you ride

[dirt_magnet]

Please contact your State Representative about this - an email is good, a phone call in the morning would be better.

In a nutshell, this bill opens most trails on state land to horseback riding without restriction, and causes us to lose $25 million in funding that you pay for.

House Bill 4684 sponsored by Representative Greg MacMaster (R-Kewadin) will be taken up in the House Committee on Natural Resources, Tourism, and Outdoor Recreation tomorrow despite warnings from federal officials that if the bill becomes enacted, the state would likely lose $25 million in annual federal wildlife funding. This is $10.5 million in wildlife funding, $2.3 million for hunters safety funding and $11.7 million for sport fish funding (see http://www.mucc.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/11042011-letter-to-Honorable-Frank-Foster-signed.pdf)

MMBA opposed this bill in a letter dated June 28 http://house.michigan.gov/SessionDocs/2011-2012/Testimony/Committee22-6-28-2011-2.pdf. Despite almost universal opposition from outdoor groups, this bill will go go to committee tomorrow (11/9/2011).

You can locate your State reps here: http://www.house.mi.gov/mhrpublic/.

Here is the letter I sent to Rep Slavins. Feel free to copy:
------------------------------
Dear Dian -

I urge you to vote "NO" on HB 4684. It is unnecessary legislation that puts the conservation of Michigan’s fish and wildlife at risk, and severely impacts me personally.

It is my understanding that this bill prevents the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) from issuing orders to restrict one certain use, equestrian riding, on all “pack and saddle trailways…that currently are or at any time previously were used by pack and saddle animals.” This would give riders free rein over trails, regardless of conservation concerns or conflicts with other uses. This is where the problem lies.

Personally, it would mean that all trails at Maybury State Park would be open to horses, which severely impacts my enjoyment of the hiking and mountain biking trails. I’m sure it is the same at the other state parks that Michigan residents enjoy.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) says the move would violate federal and state laws which allows Michigan to qualify for $25 million annually in federal Wildlife and Sportfish Restoration (WSFR) Funding, also known as Pittman-Robertson and Dingell-Johnson funding.

Again, I urge you to vote “NO” on this bill. I’m not against horse riding, but unlimited use of all trails in this manner is not reasonable.

Best regards,
Xxxxxxxxx
----------------------

Thanks.

Here are the committee members:


Committee Members:
Frank Foster (R), Committee Chair, 107th District
Matt Huuki (R), Majority Vice-Chair, 110th District
Wayne A. Schmidt (R), 104th District
Kurt Damrow (R), 84th District
Holly Hughes (R), 91st District
Joel Johnson (R), 97th District
Peter Pettalia (R), 106th District
Harold L. Haugh (D), Minority Vice-Chair, 42nd District
Maureen L. Stapleton (D), 4th District
Timothy Bledsoe (D), 1st District
Dian Slavens (D), 21st District

[i69whitey]

Harold L. Haugh (D), Minority Vice-Chair, 42nd District

this is my rep, and he was contacted.
i'll let ya know if i hear back.

[bike00]

Those people never give up.

My rep is not on the committee, but here is what I sent:

"I understand that House Bill 4684 will come before the House Committee on Natural Resources, Tourism, and Outdoor Recreation soon, despite warnings from federal officials that if the bill becomes law, the state would likely lose $25 million in annual federal wildlife funding. While I do not believe you serve on that committee, I ask that you urge those House members that are on the committee to vote "NO" on HB 4684. It is unnecessary legislation that, by its language allowing equestrian use of virtually any trail on state land, takes the conservation of Michigan’s fish and wildlife out of the hands of the professionals at the MDNR.

As a hiker and mountain biker, I have always supported multi use trails. However, when horses are introduced, significant trail damage can result, making the trail suitable only for horses.

It is my understanding that this bill prevents the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) from issuing orders to restrict one certain use, equestrian riding, on all “pack and saddle trailways…that currently are or at any time previously were used by pack and saddle animals.” This would give riders the ability to ride most anywhere, regardless of conservation concerns or conflicts with other uses.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) states the law would violate federal and state revenue sharing, which directs back to Michigan $25 million annually.

Again, I urge you to actively oppose this bill. I’m not against equestrian trail riding, but unlimited use of all trails in this manner is not responsible.

[Di_bear]

Yeah, even if your rep is not on the committee, contact any or all of the committee members. The goal is to not let this go past committee. Some of the people testifying against the bill are representatives of equine organizations who wish to work with everyone fairly, so we do have allies in their camp.

[Creamy]

Prolly read this too late, was it a vote today I'm assuming?
Is this the first we've heard about this? seems really last minute.
Figures it's Greg MacMasters he's a local dipsh*t TC weatherman turned politician, groan
A true embarassment to mothern michigan

[Di_bear]

Creamy, this is not new. Our advocates have been working on it for a while. We recently found out that it is going to committee, tomorrow afternoon. One of the MMBA board members will try to be there to testify, in spite of the "day job" situation. Keep your fingers crossed.

If the committee approves it, then it will go on for a vote in the house and senate, so we want to pressure the committee to vote no.

[geardaddy37]

sent to Huuki, Foster, and my rep Mike Shirkey...thanks for the heads up!
Bill

[Creamy]

Creamy, this is not new. Our advocates have been working on it for a while. We recently found out that it is going to committee, tomorrow afternoon. One of the MMBA board members will try to be there to testify, in spite of the "day job" situation. Keep your fingers crossed.

If the committee approves it, then it will go on for a vote in the house and senate, so we want to pressure the committee to vote no.

got it, will try to pop out somethin tonight/tomorrow morning
thanks
c

[skieur]

Sent to my rep and the 3 others in my area, plus everyone on the committee.

[Creamy]

Creamy, this is not new. Our advocates have been working on it for a while. We recently found out that it is going to committee, tomorrow afternoon. One of the MMBA board members will try to be there to testify, in spite of the "day job" situation. Keep your fingers crossed.

If the committee approves it, then it will go on for a vote in the house and senate, so we want to pressure the committee to vote no.

awrighty, for what it's worth, shot off some emails to all the committee members this morning!

[mtbfree]

Emails sent to my rep and all the committee members. Here's hoping for the best.

[OneMoreMile]

I called Rep. Slavins office and her staffer asked me for specific reasons to oppose the bill. She already had he dollar figures, and what she wanted was personal examples of how the bill would impact me personally. MMBA letter had some good 1-line points you might want to include when you call.

She said "it is not a sure Ning this will be defeated. Rep Slavins supports your position to oppose the bill but some of he other members support the bil. " she hinted that the committee chair was one who supported it.

Any members in his district should call him ASAP.

[OneMoreMile]

Sorry for typos. Dam iPhone.

[OneMoreMile]

I just called Frank Forester's office.

He is the committee chair and he is pushing this bill and hopes to ram it through committee.

His phone number is (517) 373-2629.

Please call him and tell him you OPPOSE this bill, that you are a member of MMBA which also OPPOSES the bill, that you have already contacted your representative to voice your opposition, and that you will vote in all elections.

If you are NOT in his district, please call your rep (find them here: http://www.house.mi.gov/mhrpublic/) and tell him/her to call or visit Mr. Forester immediately and register his/her constituents' opposition to the bill.

[Di_bear]

Edit: Thank you.