NEWS ITEMS

Facilitator: Brian D. Cotterill
Time: 1:00 - 3:00
Members in Attendance:
      Mike Benoit            vhcmike@yahoo.com
      Martha Benoit          benoit.martha@yahoo.com
      Heidi Krantz           hkrantz@myfairpoint.net
      Betsy Greene           betsy.greene@uvm.edu
      Karen Blow       kaybee10@charter.net
      Terry Rose       terry.rosevnc@yahoo.com
      Roger Morin            rogerm49@aol.com
      Leslie Chadwell  sableview@gmail.com

For more information on the Vermont Trail Collaborative:
https://www.uvm.edu/~snrvtdc/?Page=vttrailcollaborative.html

For more information on the Stewardship and Communication Workgroup:
http://groups.google.com/group/trails-collaborative-education-group

To give feedback and ideas to the Vermont Trails and Greenways Council
Board Chair contact Danny Hale: director@vtvasa.org

The following are the outcomes of the Vermont Horse Council's Trail Summit
meeting.  (** Indicates frequency and that the item was mentioned in a
session more than once.)

Trail Resources at Stake (What is at risk or vulnerable?)
   1. **Space for parking, turnout horse tie or fence.
   2. Sanitation management human and equine.
   3. Signage are equestrians welcome?  Where do we go?
   4. Safety water crossings, bridges need solid decking (unlike many VAST
      bridges that have large gaps in decking).
   5. **Shrinking base of accessible trails for equine use.
   6. **Abuse of land by users and over use.
   7. Water quality impacted by use
   8. Keep access for equines on current trails.
   9. Education, who is ultimately liable/ responsible for
        a. Accidents/ injury on private land?
        b. Financial upkeep?
        c. Maintenance?

Education and Stewardship Messages (Key elements of Vermont's universal
trail ethic?)
   1. Pack in Pack out except manure.
   2. Restriction during mud season.
   3. **Respect other users.
   4. Stay on marked trails.
   5. Respect private property owners.
   6. Report damage/ issues/ user conflict to______ (who is the keeper of
      this info?).
   7. Clear designations of users allowed on each trail.
   8. Degree of difficulty information for each trail.
   9. Education about how other users should approach/ pass a horse on
      trail.
  10. Advance notice for winding, narrow, steepness, water and hazards.
  11. Ride at own risk and liability clause.

Branding and Delivery (How to deliver the message?)
   1. Posters/ signage at trail heads.
   2. Clear and consistent signage (high tech and low tech methods).
   3. State and Federal financial support and education about how to use/
      access the funds.
   4. Trail maps, hard copy and web, outlets for messaging at:
        a. Chambers
        b. Rest stops
        c. Stables
        d. Websites
   5. Key words for web search-engine optimization:
        a. Multi use equestrian
        b. Trail recreation
   6. Web interface for communication between user groups.
   7. Radio interviews, TV, multimedia messaging.
   8. State vets, riding clubs, breed associations, word of mouth, 4-H, pony
      clubs, mailings, posters.
   9. Support messaging via Chambers and Vt. Dept of Tourism.
  10. Establish event calendar on web to minimize user group conflict, large
      group event registration.

Sustainability Indicators and Monitoring (What are the methods for
measuring success?)
   1. Surveys
   2. ** User group frequency  trail head log.
   3. ** Passes purchased to use system - $ to go towards maintenance,
      insurance.
   4. Issue permits for free, restrict use by day of the week.
   5. Signage directing users to website for survey/ reporting.
   6. Increase donations of time to maintain system.
   7. Support by Feds and State in the form of $ and time.
   8. Documentation of contributions to the state economy by various
      recreation groups.
   9. Establish endowments to trails foundation.
  10. Adopt-a-trail and club support (adopt regional maintenance models
      statewide: hoe does GMC do it for example?).
  11. Easy mechanism for closing the trail user feedback loop.

 

 

It’s the Law

Many people are not familiar with the law when it comes to horses and motorized vehicles.  Whether you are a resident or a visitor, please familiarize yourself with these important facts.  And always think, “SAFETY FIRST”.

Title 23: Motor Vehicles

Chapter 13: Operation Of Vehicles

§          1014. Persons riding animals

A person riding an animal or driving any animal-drawn vehicle upon a road is granted all of the rights and is subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver of a motor vehicle by this chapter except those provisions of this chapter which by their very nature can have no application. (Added 1971, No. 258 (Adj. Sess.), § 3, eff. March 1, 1973.)

§          1127. Control in presence of horses and cattle

(a) Whenever upon a public highway and approaching a vehicle drawn by a horse or other draft animal, or approaching a horse or other animal upon which a person is riding, the operator of a motor vehicle shall operate the vehicle in such a manner as to exercise every reasonable precaution to prevent the frightening of such horse or animal and to insure the safety and protection of the person riding or driving.

(b) The operator of a motor vehicle shall yield to any cattle, sheep, or goats which are being herded on or across a highway. (Added 1971, No. 258 (Adj. Sess.), § 3, eff. March 1, 1973; amended 1989, No. 55.)

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