I have no problem with picking up on lawns, parking lots and playgrounds. That’s common courtesy however these rule changes also impact the woods in the middle of nowhere. Many of our trails and snowmobile trails pass through DRED lands.
Subject: DRED TRAIL CHANGES
PROPOSED DRED TRAIL CHANGES FOR EQUESTRIAN USE.
NH PROPOSED CHANGES TO TRAIL REGULATIONS: URGENT
Please PASS this forward to ALL Horseback riders, trainers, owners, drivers, etc. The time is NOW to ACT~!
Commissioner Rose - new commissioner of DRED: http://www.dred.state.nh.us/about-us/
His recommendation was to make sure that horse industry has a presence at the Public Hearings. I am going to the following hearing, please JOIN me:
Date and Time: October 10, 2013 at 6:00 PM
Place: Hampton Beach State Park, Seashell Oceanfront Pavilion – Banquet Room, Hampton, NH
Please send your objections to: leanne.lavoie@dred.state.nh.us and to Torene.Tango-Lowy@dred.state.nh.us.
ALL Public Hearing Dates:
Oct. 1 1:00pm Concord DRED
Oct 1 6:00pm Plymouth University, Harold E. Hyde Hall, Room 220
Oct. 3 6:00pm Peterborough Town Library
Oct. 8 6:00pm Lancaster DRED
Oct. 10 6:00pm Hampton Seashell, Hampton Beach, NH
Recommendations:
•Have a prepared statement with a clearly crafted message that has a state-wide benefit if possible
•(Avoid the manure issue!) Stay positive and “Sell” your idea
•Focus on how trail riding will increase NH’s tourism, branding, and outdoor theme brining more revenue to our state and enjoyment for families and children
•“Share the trails” as your theme and perhaps suggest a seasonal compromise
•Present a level headed (not emotional) response
•Bring a team, if you can, and make sure you have 1-2 STRONG spokespeople
•Get your stats together (how many riders, farms, trails) (how many people and clubs this would impact)
•Tell them how much you pay in TAXES as LAND OWNERS, this carries clout
Public comments welcome until October 24, 2013 and shall be sent to:
Leanne M. Lavoie
Program Specialist (Rule and Contract Coordinator)
NH Department of Resources and Economic Development
172 Pembroke Road – PO Box 1856
Concord, New Hampshire 03302-1856
603.271.3727 Ext. 418
603.271.2629 (fax)
leanne.lavoie@dred.state.nh.us
PROPOSED RULE:
Res 7301.09 Horses and Other Work Animals.
(a) Horses and other work animals used for riding, driving, or transportation of persons or goods, except for animals regulated by Res 7301.09, shall not be permitted on DRED properties other than as permitted herein.
(1) For coastal beaches, horses shall be permitted at Hampton Beach, from Hampton Beach South to Boar’s Head only, from October 1 through April 30.
a. The parking of horse trailers and vehicles towing horse trailers shall be permitted at the Hampton Beach South parking lot only.
(2) Horseback riding shall be permitted on all road-width trails unless closed or restricted by posting, and shall be permitted on other trails if posted open for such use. For purposes of this section, road-width trails shall be defined as trails that have a minimum eight-foot (8’) hardened trail tread.
(3) Driving of any horse- or other work animal-drawn vehicle shall not be permitted, unless permission has been granted by special use permit pursuant to Res 7400.
(b) Disposal of stall hay or manure shall not be permitted on DRED properties.
© Owners shall clean up all waste eliminated by their horse(s) or other work animal from public traffic areas, including all trails, multiuse trails and walkways, play areas and lawns and fields, campgrounds, beaches, and parking lots on DRED properties.
(d) The department may prohibit horses and other work animals in areas where such animals are permitted when the department determines there is a lack of compliance to this section by animal owners, or there is concern for public health and safety or resource protection.
Meeting locations:
Public hearing scheduled for:
Date and Time: October 1, 2013 at 1 :00 PM
Place: DRED’s Large Conference Room, 172 Pembroke Road, Concord, NH
Additional public hearings scheduled for:
Date and Time: October 1, 2013 at 6:00 PM
Place: Plymouth University, Herbert H. Lamson Library - Heritage Commons
Room, 17 High Street, Plymouth, NH
Date and Time: October 3, 2013 at 6:00 PM
Place: Peterborough Town Library - Large Hall, 2 Concord Street,
Peterborough, NH
Date and Time: October 8, 2013 at 6:00 PM
Place: DRED Lancaster Office, 629 Main Street, Lancaster, NH
Date and Time: October 10, 2013 at 6:00 PM
Place: Hampton Beach State Park, Seashell Oceanfront Pavilion - Banquet
Room, Hampton, NH
SUMMARY (in regular English)
Reason: To REMOVE a requirement proposed in the DRED rule , currently in draft of equestrians to dismount their equines and to pick up trail manure when the animal is working as transportation. To AMEND the language of this document of any reference to equestrians being subject to a fine, or restricted from using DRED property if manure is left on the trail. There will fines or trail/property closures if rules are not complied with.
DRED’s definition of road width trails has become more restrictive to what trails you can ride without first getting permission for signage. The words “hardened trail tread” has made this more restrictive vs using “cleared corridor”. A six foot clear corridor is an acceptable width on many trail systems where a tread is 18 inches or wider. (The cleared corridor width accommodates passing other users.)
There are many reasons why these rules are not reasonable for equestrians.
There are many social and healthful benefits to individuals, and to the local/state economies coming from equestrian trail activity. The current language would restrict many equestrians who would not be able to comply or significantly limit trail access.
© Owners shall clean up all waste eliminated by their horse(s) or other work animal from public traffic areas, including all trails, multiuse trails and walkways, play areas and lawns and fields, campgrounds, beaches, and parking lots on DRED properties.
NH Department of Resources and Economic Development : About Us
www.dred.state.nh.us
The Division of Economic Development - www.nheconomy.com - is comprised of two working offices, the Office of New Hampshire Bu
