It is my understanding that the House Bill 4610 has been updated. The bills I am working with are the ones provided by the Michigan House and Senate web sites. When an updated bill is provided on those sites, I will provided further information.

A Letter

State Representative Mike Lahti & Senator Mike Prusi:

Unfortunately, House Bill 4610/Senate Bill 0578 shows no regard for the diverse landscape of Michigan and the continual, inevitable environmental changes to which it is subjected. It is my understanding that this bill stems from the ban on horses from trails in the Pigeon River Forest. I do not claim to understand the dynamics of this trail system, and can only hope that this ban was the result of the careful consideration of the impact of equestrian traffic in that area.

As a former equestrian of 20 years, I know that many do not understand the building and maintenance of trails on state land, who does the work, and where the financing comes from.

The majority of trail systems within the state parks, especially in Lower Michigan, are built and maintained by mountain bikers for use by low-impact traffic such as hikers, trail runners, and cyclists. These trails are built using guidelines presented by the International Mountain Biking Association. These guidelines are used to build sustainable trails that are not susceptible to erosion. The purpose of these trails is to contain traffic and reduce impact on the surrounding environment.

Many older trails have been rebuilt or rerouted due to erosion over the last 10 years. Many trails are built on hillsides and over trail surfaces that will not support the impact of horse traffic. Some trails cave or collapse under the pressure of a small hoof supporting 500 pounds of a 1,000-pound horse. That is a considerable amount of pressure per square inch for the period of time it takes a horse to complete one stride. Other trail surfaces are easily torn up, making erosion a huge issue. The Potawatomi Trail at the Pinckney State Recreation Area is a good example. Equestrian traffic was a key contributor to the large erosion issue that has, and still is, being addressed by local volunteers.

With the financial and volunteer assistance of the Michigan Mountain Biking Association and its local chapters, with little or no assistance from other user groups, a great number of trails are being built and maintained on state land. This provides a wonderful, sustainable resource for low-impact traffic. This is money and man hours that is not being spent by the DNR, an organization that is currently in financial distress.

While I am strongly in favor of bridle trails on state land, it is more responsible to consider each trail system on a case-by-case basis. Most trails are not built to support equestrian traffic. Trail construction has changed drastically over the last 10 years, because trail construction was not sustainable for many types of traffic. With that said, many trails are not what they were when equestrians were previously allowed access. The development of new bridle trails on terrain that is sustainable for that type of traffic, with the maintenance and funding provided by equestrians, is a much more responsible alternative.

Please DO NOT support this bill.

Contact your house representative and state senator:

• Michigan State Representatives
• Michigan State Senators