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    <title>Trail Chat</title>
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    <pubDate>Mon, 24 Mar 2008 13:07:55 -0400</pubDate>
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    <item>
      <title>[Forest Travel Plans] Re: Volunteer for August 2008</title>
      <link>http://forum.bchmt.org//read.php?3,27,28#msg-28</link>
      <author>horselover</author>
      <description><![CDATA[Why not contact the Bob Marshal Foundation http://www.thebmwf.org/.  They have a few trail projects going this year.]]></description>
      <category>Forest Travel Plans</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://forum.bchmt.org//read.php?3,27,28#msg-28</guid>
      <pubDate>Mon, 24 Mar 2008 13:07:55 -0400</pubDate>
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      <title>[Forest Travel Plans] Volunteer for August 2008</title>
      <link>http://forum.bchmt.org//read.php?3,27,27#msg-27</link>
      <author>peggy</author>
      <description><![CDATA[Hello, I'm a new BCH member from the east coast, looking to volunteer to help with a trail project for a few weeks this summer. I can use a GPS and a computer to navigate and make maps. I won't be able to bring out a horse - I'd probably fly out.   I'd like to help out in Glacier National Forest, or the Bob Marshall Wilderness. I'm flexible, willing to work hard, and tell good jokes! Let me know if you can think of a project where I can make a contribution.

I'm off to trail ride in Florida for a month, so don't worry if you don't get an immediate reply from me. I'll check in when I return.

Thanks!
Peggy]]></description>
      <category>Forest Travel Plans</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://forum.bchmt.org//read.php?3,27,27#msg-27</guid>
      <pubDate>Tue, 05 Feb 2008 17:14:17 -0500</pubDate>
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    <item>
      <title>[Right-To-Ride] Re: Right-to-Ride (Preserving our Equine Heritage S.2283)</title>
      <link>http://forum.bchmt.org//read.php?2,2,26#msg-26</link>
      <author>Fred</author>
      <description><![CDATA[So as previously mentioned in my first post to this forum, I guess the bill did make it into the first session of congress. On November 1, 2007, Senator Mike Crapo (R-ID) introduced the Preserving our Equine Heritage on Public Lands Act (S. 2283). The bill provides that such lands “shall remain open and accessible to the use of pack and saddle stock animals” where there is a tradition of use, but 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 (NEPA). The bill would also impose additional specific and designated procedures to be followed by agencies before any land closures to horses.  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.
 
The second session of the 110th Congress will reconvene officially on January 22, 2008 after the observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. We can only hope that the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources will move forward with senate bill S.2283.  Hope for passage of this bill lies within this Committee, of which Montana has one senator; Jon Tester. Horse people must unite through an email and/or letter-writing campaign to influence the members of the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources to send the bill before the full Senate for consideration and, hopefully, passage. Of the 23 committee members, 12 Senators are from Backcountry Horsemen states.

We would also like to see our senior senator; Max Baucus who co-chairs the Sportsmen’s Caucus with Senator Crapo, to also take an active roll in this legislation.
  
It is still unsure weather or not Congressmen George Radanovich of California will introduce a similar bill in to the house on this second session. In both passages of the previous bills by the House, our representative; Dennis Rehberg has co-sponsored and supported this legislation.

Horse users need to contact their senators, congressmen and ask them to please co-sponsor and support this legislation. If you need some ideas on a letter, please visit the Back Country Horsemen of Montana (BCHM) website at www.bchmt.org and click on under Right-to-Ride; Preserving our Equine Heritage Act (S.2283) and it will give some more information along with copies of letters and ways of contacting their Senators by e-mail. Or even better if you have a field office close by stop in and visit with them and ask them to convey your support on this legislation. It is not as important as to how you do it, but it is important that you do so.

It is also worth mentioning that WashingtonWatch.com has a poll going on their website. I just want to make sure that it is perfectly clear that voting on the Washington Watch Site does not fulfill BCHM chapters and members from their duties about contacting their senators and representatives on Preserving our Equine Heritage. This was voted on and passed at the December board meeting that all chapters write one letter each to Senators' Baucus and Tester and to also ask chapter members to please do the same. The simple process of voting on this site does little else than show your support for bill S.2283 and take part in a poll. It is great if you want to show support and possibly our delegates or members of their staff may review it. 

It might also be added that S.2283 is by far the most popular item on this website with almost 2000 responses. 

So lets all do our part and see if we can get this legislation passed in this second session of congress.

Respectivley,
Rich (Fred) Fitzpatrick
ESBCH]]></description>
      <category>Right-To-Ride</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://forum.bchmt.org//read.php?2,2,26#msg-26</guid>
      <pubDate>Sun, 13 Jan 2008 22:34:44 -0500</pubDate>
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    <item>
      <title>[Right-To-Ride] Right-to-Ride</title>
      <link>http://forum.bchmt.org//read.php?2,2,2#msg-2</link>
      <author>Fred</author>
      <description><![CDATA[As I'm sure we are all aware that the Right-to-Ride legislation was supposed to be introduced into both chambers of congress on the first session. This was supposed to be done by Representative George Radanovich(California) and Senator Mike Crapo(Idaho), unfortunately the fourth of July and congress's summer break is rapidly approaching. So for the time being all we can do is wait and see if the bills will be introduced before the summer recess or whether we will have to wait until the summer break is over. I would just like to ask that all Back Country Horsemen to keep close watch on this legislation, and with most clubs being busy with summer activities and work projects, not to forget why we are Back Country Horsemen and when the time for your comments are needed to push this legislation through congress that you take the time to either write, call or e-mail your members of congress. This bill has been passed twice by the House and sent to the Senate where it was referred to the committee of Energy and Natural Resources and also introduced in the Senate and referred to the same committee were it has stalled, here is a brief summary.

Right-to-Ride Summary:  To preserve the traditional use and access of pack and saddle stock on lands administered by the National Park Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, and the United States Forest Service.

In 2003 Mr. Radanovich of California introduced Right-to-Ride legislation to the Second Session of the 108th Congress as HR 2966.  Despite garnering 21 co-sponsors and being engrossed in the House of Representatives on September 22, 2004, the bill was sent to the Senate where it died in the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

During the First Session of the 109th Congress, Mr. Radanovich again introduced HR 586 Right-to-Ride on February 2, 2005.  Having 39 co-sponsors, the bill was again engrossed by the House of Representatives on May 17, 2006, and was sent to and received by the Senate, where it was read twice and again referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Also during the First Session of the 109th Congress, Senator Mike Crapo of Idaho introduced Senate bill S781 on April 14, 2005.  This bill was the same as HR586 Right-to-Ride and was also read twice and referred to the Committee of Energy and Natural Resources.

These bills have in common languishment, the Senate Committee of Energy and Natural Resources.  Should the Right-to-Ride again come before this committee, the Back Country Horsemen of America must unite through an email and/or letter-writing campaign to influence the members of the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources to send the bill before the full Senate for consideration and, hopefully, passage.  With both the committee chairman and a ranking member from the state of New Mexico, the BCH of New Mexico could play an influential role in this campaign.  Of the 23 committee members, 12 Senators are from Back Country Horsemen states.

Recent trail closures on the White River National Forest of Colorado and the Gallatin National Forest of Montana are pressing reminders why the Back Country Horsemen of America must rally popular support to help propel the Right-to-Ride bill through the House of Representatives, the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources and the United States Senate.

Respectfully submitted by,
R. Fred Fitzpatrick
ESBCH]]></description>
      <category>Right-To-Ride</category>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">http://forum.bchmt.org//read.php?2,2,2#msg-2</guid>
      <pubDate>Fri, 22 Jun 2007 02:10:26 -0400</pubDate>
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