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Senator Mike Crapo
(R-ID) introduced Nov. 1 the Preserving our Equine
Heritage on Public Lands Act (S. 2238). This bill is
similar to the so-called "Right-to-Ride" bill that
Crapo introduced in the last Congress.
"Senator Crapo has
been a champion of preserving riders' access to
public lands," said American Horse Council (AHC)
President Jay Hickey. "He has retooled the bill he
introduced in the last Congress and we appreciate
his steadfastness in introducing the legislation
again. Equestrians are going to have to let Congress
know that they are concerned about access to trails
and public lands and that they support this bill if
we hope to get it passed."
The bill directs the
Secretaries of Interior and Agriculture to manage
the federal lands under their jurisdiction "in a
manner that preserves and facilitates the continued
use and access of pack and saddle stock animals" on
lands on which "there is a historical tradition" of
use. The bill provides that such lands "shall remain
open and accessible to the use of pack and saddle
stock animals" where there is such a tradition. The
bill applies to the management of the National Park
System, BLM lands, National Wildlife Refuge System
land, and National Forest System land.
The bill does not
limit the federal agencies' ultimate authority to
restrict such use, provided the agencies perform the
review required under the National Environmental
Policy Act of 1969. The bill would also impose
additional specific and designated procedures to be
followed by agencies before any land closures. These
procedures include advance notice of any proposed
reduction in use to allow public comment, convening
a public meeting near the area involved, and
collaboration with various users during the process.
Those who enjoy riding
on public lands have expressed concern about the
reduction of trails and public lands available to
horses and pack stock. |