Forwarding a message from John Kruger, Equestrian Access Committee, for the Central Coast (johnkrue@xxxxxxx).  Please take a moment to write a letter....Montana de Oro (in California) has some of the prettiest trails anywhere.  Hopefully, we can make our voices heard and keep them open to horses!!

 

Sylvia

 

Subject: Re; Equestrian Access
>
> Hello fellow Equestrians!
> I have been meaning to write all of you for some time now re; the
> status of equestrian access issues on the Central Coast of California.
>
> As you are probably all aware, in February of 2003, Greg Smith who is
> the Sector Superintendent for State Parks in the Central Coast planned
> to close off equestrian access to the Morro Dunes Natural Preserve in
> Montana De Oro State Park. As soon as we caught wind of this plan, a
> letter was sent to Sacramento, to the attention of Ruth Coleman,
> Director of State Parks.
>
> Ruth effectively told Greg that he had to hold an open public forum on
> the issue, and since that time, local equestrians (with your
> assistance!) have effectively fought off the closure of the Natural
> Preserve. For your information, the Natural Preserve includes roughly
> 2/3 of the beach within MDO, as well as the entire Back Bay section of
> the park.
>
> However, Greg Smith is very passionate about protecting resources,
> regardless of the effect it has on public access, and without careful
> consideration of the impact user groups such as equestrians actually
> have on park lands. Greg is a very real threat. I cannot begin to
> explain how he and his staff of resource ecologists have taken over so
> much of the decision making that takes place within the local state
> park lands.
>
> In the past several months, Greg Smith has instructed his resource
> ecologists, and park rangers (both report to Greg) to construct signs
> effectively closing the following State Park properties to equestrian
> access;
>
> (1) Powell II Property (newly acquired lands within Morro Bay State
> Park)
> (2) Cerro Cabrillo section of Morro Bay State Park (with traditional
> multi-use trails used by hikers, bikers, equestrians for years and
> years)
> (3) Morro Strand section of Morro Bay State Park (open to equestrians
> for years and years)
> (4) New maps of Montana De Oro State Park that were just printed have
> the equestrian trails within the Natural Preserve removed....secretly
> and quietly. However, Greg doesn't realize that the person he had
> perform this task also happens to be a horse owner and a friend of
> sensible access. So, we found out about the new maps immediately. Greg
> is not to be trifled with folks!
>
> Greg Smith's agenda is clear.....he will slowly and methodically
> reduce equestrian access wherever and whenever he has the opportunity.
> He sees horses as a (imagined) threat to all species; threatened,
> endangered, or otherwise.
>
> It is up to us to apply pressure to Greg's boss, and his bosses boss,
> and that bosses boss. Public servants don't like work and they don't
> like trouble. If we can make them uncomfortable with this issue, we
> might be lucky enough to get Greg Smith transferred to some lovely
> State Park that is covered in asphalt.
>
> Please contact Nick Franco as follows;
> District Superintendent for State Parks
> California State Parks
> San Luis Obispo Coast District
> 750 Hearst Castle Road
> San Simeon, Ca. 93452-9741
> Tel: (805) 927-2065
> E: nfranco@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>
> As District Superintendent, Nick Franco has the power to sign a
> "posted order", that effectively allows equestrians to have continued
> access to the Cerro Cabrillo and Morro Strand properties within Morro
> Bay State Park. For approximately 20 years, equestrians have had a
> posted order signed by the District Superintendent to allow access at
> the Morro Dunes Natural Preserve in Montana De Oro State Park. So,
> there is precedent for such a signature on Nick's part.
>
> Additionally, you should write to;
>
> Ruth Coleman, Director of State Parks (head of state parks)
> Mike Chrisman, Director of Natural Resources (Ruth's boss)
> Governor Schwarzenneger (a horse owner who was once kicked off of a
> beach while riding his horse, or so the story goes)
>
> Thanks for your consideration, and for your continuing support.
>
> Sincerely,
> John Krueger
> Equestrian Access Committee for the Central Coast
>