The American Horse Council has asked the National Park Service (NPS), U.S. Forest Service (USFS), and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to use stimulus funding for trails.
The AHC recently wrote to NPS Acting Director Dan Wenk, Chief of USFS Gail Kimbell, and BLM Acting Director Mike Pool urging the agencies to allocate a significant portion of stimulus funding to address the current backlog of needed infrastructure improvements on public lands, including maintenance and construction of trails and other facilities that are open to equestrians.
The AHC cited the importance of public lands and trails to recreational riders around the country and the economic impact of the recreational riding community on the national economy. “The recreational horse industry contributes $11.8 billion a year directly to the economy and directly employs nearly 130,000 people nationwide. Indirectly the industry contributes an additional $20.1 billion and generates another 307, 000 jobs. That is significant and extremely important in these economic times,” said AHC President Jay Hickey.
The NPS, USFS, and BLM have yet to finalize spending plans for this recently appropriated money. “An opportunity exists for equestrian groups to provide input to land managers in their states and communities on how this money should be spent,” said AHC Legislative Director Ben Pendergrass, “and recreational riders must work with these federal agencies to ensure that equestrian trails are among the projects to benefit from these funds.”
The AHC encourages members of the equestrian community who use these public lands to contact their local Ranger Districts, Forest Supervisors, BLM field or District offices and NPS Superintendents to work with them to identify projects beneficial to riders in their area. “This is a great chance to improve trails for equestrians and stimulate the economy,” said Hickey.
Read more about efforts to preserve equestrian lands.
I believe before we get ahead of ourselves on stimulas monies spent, we should look at the growing number of unwanted and abused horses and erect places to take such horses in and care for them. Yes I would love to see more upkeep on trails but I think formost we should address our problem with unwanted and abused horses and the management of our wild horses.
that would be great if some money could be spent on trails.
great article
I love that photo.
That would be great to have funding go on horse trails!