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Gypsy, that is precisely the reason U.S. Fish and Game in their comment paper relative to the PRC State Forest stated  that the equestrian activity appears to be   unregulated.  Now who's job do you think it is to regulate??  Do you know that the day after the land use order on May 8th 08  the DNR suddenly had an epiphany and decided to regulate the land. Yes that's right; prior to the signing the DNR had no law enforcement present.  How fast would you drive on the expressway if you never saw a policeman???  For the most part, self policing policies were in place and worked.  Wouldn't you think that there would be signage indicating what to regulate?????  I might as well tell you that the day after the land use order was signed that posts were placed in the ground with signage on hundreds of trails that we were now off limits.  I never knew government to work that fast.  Predestined intentionally exclusionary elitist agenda!  We heard comments at the NRC meeting 1 month before the signing that "We must protect the Pigeon from consumer use!"  Hang On, Your group is next!

 My reference included water.  I didn't realize it at the time. So back to my original comparison then. The 2 states are more equal in size; therefore, there should be an equal amount of recreational opportunity.

Gypsy wrote: There are many very good reasons why snowmobilers, horses, hikers, berry pickers, bird watchers, etc. cannot use the same trails. Most of these activities you mention are done through all seasons, save berry picking

Hardly - snowmobiles do not use trails when and where there is no snow. Bird watchers are rarely out in the winter.  Hikers do not typically use trails that have more than 6 inches of snow.  So  yes, these users CAN share trails. Perhaps you would wish to do some research on how other states handle multi-user trails. Dr. Gene Wood at Clemson University in South Carolina is a top proponent of multi-user trails.  I've also included links where mountain bikers, hikers, and horse people have shared in efforts.

Gypsy wrote: I am reserving my opinion of this bill until I hear exactly why the DNR wants to close certain horseback riding areas on state land. I generally believe that all forms of recreation can be enjoyed on our state lands, but also believe they need to be regulated, so as to preserve and care for our land. This is the role we have given to the DNR. Some areas can withstand the use of ATV's and bikes and horses, others are more sensitive.

The DNR claimed that horses were driving Elk from the area. In fact, it was not horses (read about how the elk have crashed horse farm fences and driven horses from their purchased hay) that drove the elk - it was the lack of food source. The elk have done thousands of dollars of damage to farms in the area. The DNR brought the elk in, and receive money from the Rocky Mountain Elk Association and the state - but something isn't working. The buckwheat that was planted was not palatable to the elk, so they sought native Michigan grasses growing and baled on nearby farms. So... it's false that the horses push the elk away. Many riders have photos of elk. Using horses to travel to see the elk is one of the safest, least offensive methods of seeing this animal.  In fact, for persons like myself with an injured leg, riding a horse is the best way for me to travel the wild areas of Michigan since walking long distances is not feasible.

Then the DNR claimed that horses were responsible for non-native weeds in the area. This is totally disproven theory with 6 different research studies that were presented to the DNR in 2008.  Horses do not eat very many weeds to begin with. They eat grass.. Timothy, alfalfa, orchard, bermuda, brome, etc.  What the studies ALSO show is that the horse's digestive system (different from deer, goats, cows) is too hot for most seeds to survive.  Seeds are typically dispersed by birds and small seed-eating mammals.  One study showed that nothing grew from horse manure. Rarely, native grass grew from leftover hay.

There is more, much more.  The DNR expects horses to use roads where the horse and rider are endangered by vehicular traffic. The camp sites that are left are too few, and in some cases, too small for the large rigs we use. Many of the rigs we use have self-contained bathrooms which means we pack out what we pack in.

There was a hearing in Lansing in front of the House Appropriations Committee last year. Contact Rep Tim Moore if you want more info on this issue and why he introduced this legislation. Also Representatives Kevin Elsenheimer or Joel Sheltrown (Committee chair for Tourism, Outdoor Rec, & Nat Resources)

Also - go to some of the sites linked below to see how various groups have come together to do repair to trails. Horses / mules are an excellent method of carrying materials to deep forest areas where motorized or wheeled vehicles cannot go. Other users can take advantage of working WITH equestrians, rather than against them.

http://www.pbase.com/bchw/3_09_gravel_haul

http://www.bchw.org/videos.htm

I hope that this helps others understand what has happened and what can continue to happen when government agencies impose arbitrary rulings.  Perhaps my analagy to roads is a little off - but not by much.  It is exactly what happens to many areas of Michigan. People have spent thousands of dollars buying property in areas expecting to CONTINUE use the adjacent state land in a manner they have in the past. To have it closed suddenly, without user input, is devastating.  It would be no different than buying lake front property that allowed motor boats, sail boats, canoes, swimming and then have an agency block your use for "perceived" reasons with no proper research behind the reasons.

I hope you'll investigate more. Thanks.

My reference is: http://www.nrcm.org/documents/publiclandownership.pdf

My apologies, I said thousands, it is millions. Just add three more 0's to each. Same relationship.

You are splitting hairs with the mission statement. Managing state lands is part of their mission, as state lands are part of the natural resources they manage.

Michigan is not 96,810 sq. miles, it is 56,809, while New York is 47,223. Hardly double the size of New York, so no need for your apology. Check it out at http://www.worldatlas.com/aatlas/infopage/usabysiz.htm.

There are many very good reasons why snowmobilers, horses, hikers, berry pickers, bird watchers, etc. cannot use the same trails. Most of these activities you mention are done through all seasons, save berry picking.

Your closing analogy can only be an attempt at humor.