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Re: trails symposium



1. DON'T GIVE UP and DON'T GIVE IN!!!

2. Find out who is at the top...the person in charge.

3. Get a petition made up and post it/send it EVERYWHERE.

4. Send a COPY of the petition (must have names and addresses) to  #2, to the
appropriate congressman/senator.

5. Get FACTS on usage (and whatever else may be pertinent).

6. Ask for a meeting.......open to all for discussion......appoint a
spokesperson, have him represent your point of view.  Find out what the problems
are and come up with solutions for them.  ACT PROFESSIONAL.

7. Remember, for every problem, there IS a solution.  Make it work in YOUR
favor.

Gee, I sure hate saying all this...I want miracles, too.  I work for a living
and don't get paid to do all the above work while to people I am fighting make a
living making decisions that affect me.  I hate having to fight for what is
already mine to use.  But, unless you take the necessary steps...they will do
what they want.

Remember, there is strength in numbers.  If 12 people want the trails off limits
to horses, there are probably 1200 who don't.  Make the numbers work in YOUR
favor.

There ARE solutions to the following statements:
1. No money
2. No staff
3. Eroded trails CAN be fixed and erosion can be prevented.
4. We must ALL learn to SHARE trails...that means hikers, too.  It is PROVEN
nonsense that horse manure promotes disease or spreads weeds.  Don't let
statements that are not backed by PROVEN FACT affect your judgement.  Don;t make
snap decisions and DO NOT volunteer to do THEIR job.

This is MY opinion and MY approach after hearing what MANY good people had to
say at the Trails Symposium in SC 2 weeks ago.

Contact the University for more information:
http://www.strom.clemson.edu/programs/trails
ask them for contacts to the various speakers

Teddy Lancaster


Sally Spangler wrote:

> Betsy,
>
> Our local newspaper just published a bomb we trail riders sort of expected
> but couldn't prove until now:  the Nature Conservancy and the State of
> Virginia intend to close one of the best riding areas in this end of the
> state to all use except hiking.  Folks have been riding horses on this
> mountain for centuries, certainly since the 19th. Now the top 1000 acres has
> been secured as a preserve.  I think perhaps a savvy group of equestrians
> could bargain for some space, but don't know how to begin.  Was hoping you
> could suggest a few approaches and resources.  I'm thinking we could suggest
> restricting horse traffic to the existing roads, which would still allow us
> to ride to the 4000' summit. We could help mark areas off limits to horses
> and maintain trails.  I do agree there is terrain that horses can damage,
> but we don't have to ride in those areas...there's plenty of space aside
> from that.  I just want to continue to do that great climb and view the
> scenery--which is all most of us do anyway.
>
> Best,
>
> Sally Spangler in Floyd, VA



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