EnivroHorse Public Issue Paper:
Commenting on Public Documents

Issue: Many opportunities present themselves to make comment on proposed public land management issues. Always be thoughtful and polite. Here as an example of how to address planning issues that are not adequate for equestrian needs.

Open Space Conservation Plan
625 Broadway, 5th Floor
Albany, NY 12233-4250

November 21, 2001

Dear DEC and OPRHP,

Thank you for an opportunity to read and respond to the plan for Conserving Open Space in New York State 2001. I compliment you on the goals already attained and wish us all success in pursuing proposals within the draft plan.

I brought up some of my concerns at the hearing for Region 1 Nov. 14 at the Planting Fields Arboretum. I regret that more information was not readily available; the staff seemed to be somewhat overwhelmed and I found myself giving more information than I attained. However, Regional Citizen Participation Specialist Mark Lowery was wonderful in getting back to me with answers to questions at a later date.

Margaret Reilly, Regional Director, was helpful as always.

Several people knowledgeable about certain regional areas mentioned in the plan are responding. I will not repeat what it is they are saying. However, here are some observations and comments:

1) The most glaring omission is readily apparent in Appendix D, Projected Relative Index of Recreational Needs. While recreational pursuits such as ice-skating and volleyball are assessed, there is no mention of horseback riding, horse trails, horse camping or other horse recreation such as holding equestrian trail events.

NYS ranks 5th in the country in the relative number and value of horses in America. The equine inventory of the value of horses in NYS tops 1.7 billion dollars according to the NY Agricultural Statistics Service. Nationwide assessment indicates that more than 61 % of the horses in the country are used on the trail. (These statistics do not account for the horse that is used primarily for, say showing, but also trail rides.) The value of the horse industry in this country surpasses the clothing industry as well as the movie industry. To not assess the needs of the horse industry for recreational use reflects a dismal understanding of the heritage, the interest and the plain economic value of the horse to NYS economy and quality of life. I am afraid that this disregard is pervasive: a publication I picked up while horse camping at Bear Spring Mountain lists camping sites and activities available to residents throughout NYS. Horse camping or even riding was not mentioned. You have superior facilities at Otter Creek, Lake Luzerne, Brookfield, Bear Spring and others. I think it is foolish to keep this opportunity for eco tourism a secret.

2) Perhaps it was a simple oversight, but when under E.2.e, Tea-21, the availability of National Recreational Trails Act moneys is not mentioned, folks are led to believe that only money for transportation is available. NRT money can be useful and I think it would be a good idea to advertise its availability more widely. Not one politician here on LI is aware of it when I bring it up. They do, however, know of Tea-21.

3) C9 Heritage Areas: Equestrians pursue a national heritage in a natural heritage setting. Our first and, for the majority of the time in the history of this country, the only means of transportation were carriages and horses. How could we ever have a Theodore Roosevelt Heritage Trail without horses; how could we consider a Revolutionary War Heritage Trail without horses-George Washington is famous on his grey horse Charger.

4) I agree that we need to broaden and strengthen the General Obligations Law to protect landowners from liability fears and to discourage frivolous law suits by users. Furthermore, we need to have liability relief legislation that releases the horse industry from liability when accidents due to the nature of the horse or the foolishness of the rider occur. There are only four states in the nation that does not have such liability relief (much like the skiing industry enjoys). The strangle hold the NYS Trial Lawyers Association has on the legislature is an embarrassment.

5) I agree that we need to continue to offer incentives for individuals to conserve open space for the use of all. I agree that we need to educate the general public and youth in particular about our natural heritage and the necessity for all of us to act as stewards. Furthermore, we need to protect volunteers from liability as they step up to act as educators and stewards.

6) I would like to propose that the next review for Region 1 take into consideration the possibility of a linear trail long proposed by Greenbelt Conference for hikers; by Concerned Long Island Mountain Bikers (CLIMB) for bikers and by Nassau Suffolk Horsemen's Association for equestrians. This trail, which NSHA has dubbed The Pony Express Trail, could reach from Rocky Point to the Shinnecock Canal. A rider could walk his horse over the canal on the bridge, mount on the other side and continue to ride to Montauk Point. Sometimes shared use, sometimes single use, a few simple trail head facilities along the way, and we could have a competitive trail that would rival the endurance trails in the West. Our ancestors rode and drove carriage up and down Long Island. It's our heritage and we need to be able to continue despite encroaching development that threatens us all.

7) Let me kindly remind the hard workers who put this draft together, that horsemen are conservationists. We are thrilled by wildlife, knowing that on horseback, we can approach fox, turkey, deer, hawks and other animals without frightening them as we would on foot. Who can rival the thrill of riding along a trail at dusk when a huge owl flies just a foot or so in front of my horse's head undisturbed by my presence. We keep the trails clean, there is little space on a horse for trash and trash on trails is a threat to our beloved horse. We are sightseers who enjoy a variety of trail experiences. (There is a misapprehension among some that equestrian trail riders need a wide trail--not at all. The horse needs a tread of 18 inches or less.) We like shady trails, hills and winding paths, beautiful vistas and safe water crossings, some rocks, some sand: Variety. Too often we are banished to the perimeter trails that are devoid of vegetation, defiled by debris, hot and ugly.

Thank you for taking the time to read and consider my responses and the responses of others. I would be happy to help with revisions and to contribute to the next draft in 2003.

Sincerely,

Cyla Allison, Ph.D.
President NSHA
Representative NYS Trails Council
Delegate Protected Lands Council of the Central Pine Barrens Commission