HOT BUTTON ISSUES AND DEADLINES
OUR LETTERS OF SUPPORT CHRONOLOGICAL
February 23,2019
BLM Colorado River Valley Field Office
2300 River Frontage Road,
Silt, CO 81652
Attn.: Sutey Ranch Management Plan.
To Larry Sandoval – Acting Field Manager,
The Roaring Fork Valley Horse Council is pleased and supports the new Management Plan for Sutey Ranch (combining Alternatives 4 & 4A), which offers protection for the wildlife, while giving equestrians new parking and a safe dependable trail experience. The RFVHC believes that the BLM has listened to comments from everyone and they have come up with a fair plan that will work. We believe this plan will support trail safety and keep the majority of the Sutey Ranch Homestead property peaceful and protected.
Thank you for recognizing the Sutey Ranch as a special place by designating it as a Priority Wildlife Habitat area. And, thank you for identifying and including Alternative 4A, which eliminates surface disruption and mineral leasing by oil, gas & coal exploration and development.
The RFVHC is excited to partner with the BLM as “Friends of Sutey Ranch” for the future of the Sutey Ranch Homestead Property, a very special place in “The Heart Of The Horse Country.”
Kindest Regards,
The RFVHC Board of Directors
rfvhc.colorado@gmail.com
The Roaring Fork Valley Horse Council is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization
February 23,2019
BLM Colorado River Valley Field Office
2300 River Frontage Road,
Silt, CO 81652
Attn.: Sutey Ranch Management Plan.
To Larry Sandoval – Acting Field Manager,
The Roaring Fork Valley Horse Council is pleased and supports the new Management Plan for Sutey Ranch (combining Alternatives 4 & 4A), which offers protection for the wildlife, while giving equestrians new parking and a safe dependable trail experience. The RFVHC believes that the BLM has listened to comments from everyone and they have come up with a fair plan that will work. We believe this plan will support trail safety and keep the majority of the Sutey Ranch Homestead property peaceful and protected.
Thank you for recognizing the Sutey Ranch as a special place by designating it as a Priority Wildlife Habitat area. And, thank you for identifying and including Alternative 4A, which eliminates surface disruption and mineral leasing by oil, gas & coal exploration and development.
The RFVHC is excited to partner with the BLM as “Friends of Sutey Ranch” for the future of the Sutey Ranch Homestead Property, a very special place in “The Heart Of The Horse Country.”
Kindest Regards,
The RFVHC Board of Directors
rfvhc.colorado@gmail.com
The Roaring Fork Valley Horse Council is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization
February 20, 2019
Dear RFVHC Members –
The Roaring Fork Valley Horse Council is pleased and supports the new BLM response for the Sutey Ranch Management Plan. We are currently reviewing the entire document and will respond to the BLM shortly.
The BLM has recognized the Sutey Ranch as a special place and designated it as a Priority Wildlife Habitat area with recreation use for hikers, horseback riders and mountain bikers. This is the time to read about the Sutey Ranch located in the Heart of Horse Country on Missouri Heights.
The RFVHC believes that the BLM has listened to the comments from our equestrian community. Write your comments about supporting 4 and 4A to keep Sutey Ranch Homestead peaceful and undisturbed for the wildlife and for limited recreation.
Below is the link to all their documents
LINK: https://go.usa.gov/xnvM5.
Go to the left side green column and click Documents & Reports
Scroll down to: Final EA Sutey Haines Proposed RMPA 2.15.2019
On page 13 - TABLE 2 - MANAGEMENT ACTION ALTERNATIVES
Your supportive comments to the BLM will make a difference.
Send your letters to: blm_co_sutey_haines_rmpa@blm.gov or mailed to BLM, 2300 River Frontage Road, Silt, CO 81652, Attn: Sutey Ranch Management Plan.
February 16, 2019
The RFVHC received the BLM response to the summer long public comment period that ended in November. This is now our final chance to speak up about the Sutey Ranch located in the Heart of Horse Country on Missouri Heights. We have until March 18th to respond to their Preliminary Management Plan.
This response period is called the “protest period” because the public can speak up and ask for a Management Plan that better suits their perceived needs. Here is the LINK to all their documents. Please be careful and only read the February 15th, 2019 documents!
LINK: https://go.usa.gov/xnvM5. Go to the left green column and click to choose Documents & Reports. We are asking all interested groups, hikers, outdoor lovers, clubs, animal lovers and individuals to participate in the process.
Dear RFVHC Members –
The Roaring Fork Valley Horse Council is pleased and supports the new BLM response for the Sutey Ranch Management Plan. We are currently reviewing the entire document and will respond to the BLM shortly.
The BLM has recognized the Sutey Ranch as a special place and designated it as a Priority Wildlife Habitat area with recreation use for hikers, horseback riders and mountain bikers. This is the time to read about the Sutey Ranch located in the Heart of Horse Country on Missouri Heights.
The RFVHC believes that the BLM has listened to the comments from our equestrian community. Write your comments about supporting 4 and 4A to keep Sutey Ranch Homestead peaceful and undisturbed for the wildlife and for limited recreation.
Below is the link to all their documents
LINK: https://go.usa.gov/xnvM5.
Go to the left side green column and click Documents & Reports
Scroll down to: Final EA Sutey Haines Proposed RMPA 2.15.2019
On page 13 - TABLE 2 - MANAGEMENT ACTION ALTERNATIVES
Your supportive comments to the BLM will make a difference.
Send your letters to: blm_co_sutey_haines_rmpa@blm.gov or mailed to BLM, 2300 River Frontage Road, Silt, CO 81652, Attn: Sutey Ranch Management Plan.
February 16, 2019
The RFVHC received the BLM response to the summer long public comment period that ended in November. This is now our final chance to speak up about the Sutey Ranch located in the Heart of Horse Country on Missouri Heights. We have until March 18th to respond to their Preliminary Management Plan.
This response period is called the “protest period” because the public can speak up and ask for a Management Plan that better suits their perceived needs. Here is the LINK to all their documents. Please be careful and only read the February 15th, 2019 documents!
LINK: https://go.usa.gov/xnvM5. Go to the left green column and click to choose Documents & Reports. We are asking all interested groups, hikers, outdoor lovers, clubs, animal lovers and individuals to participate in the process.
Please go to the PROJECTS PAGE for more Suety and Haines History
August 1, 2018 Prior to the August 5th, 2018 Deadline for Public Comment - the RFVHC submitted this document for the Historic Sutey Ranch and the Haines Parcel to the BLM as our Public Comment. Please read.
RFVHC Letter to The Colorado River Valley Field Office - BLM (PDF)
RFVHC Letter to The Colorado River Valley Field Office - BLM (PDF)
SPEAK UP NOW FOR EQUESTRIAN PARKING
The BLM is deciding the use for the Haines Parcel, Mid Country on the Crown,
off Prince Creek Road. Currently there are no plans for equestrian truck and
trailer parking. Your written comments matter!
WRITE YOUR LETTER - Send an email to the BLM to let them know you want
equestrian parking in the "Haines Meadow".
The BLM counts the number of responses. Please weigh in on this important issue.
More information about the parcels and the planning process is available at
https://go.usa.gov/xnvM5.
Comments may still be e-mailed to blm_co_sutey_haines_rmpa@blm.gov or mailed to
BLM, 2300 River Frontage Road, Silt, CO 81652,
Attn: Sutey/Haines Management Plan.
February 17, 2018
To our RFVHC Members:
With new land use changes on BLM and Pitkin, Eagle, and Garfield County lands, it appears that horseback riding can be wiped off the map for historical recreational use on our surrounding lands. The Horse Council is working on acquiring truck and trailer parking to access our valley trails.
We are losing access to horseback trails because the parking areas have been eliminated or the land managers have not planned for additional, designated truck and trailer parking. Many of equestrian’s pull off areas along County Roads are being eliminated. Tickets are being issued to anyone parked illegally. Many existing parking lots are too small for trucks and trailers to maneuver and turn around, and many are taken up by cars leaving no space for equestrians.
To learn more -Go to: www.facebook.com/keephorsesontrails/
Below is a link to a petition for you to have family and friends sign to help preserve and protect our access through equestrian parking. The BLM, Pitkin, Eagle, and Garfield Counties need to include equestrians as multi-user trail users and partners.
Please print one cover page, then as many additional signature pages as you wish, staple them together, and get as many people as you can to sign to support this important initiative.
Mail to:
Holly McLain
1844 Upper Cattle Creek Road
Carbondale, CO 81623
or call me with questions –- 970 948 2151
Thank you,
Holly McLain
RFVHC Communication Chairman
Prince Creek Petition Forms (Word Document)
2.17.18
To our RFVHC Members:
With new land use changes on BLM and Pitkin, Eagle, and Garfield County lands, it appears that horseback riding can be wiped off the map for historical recreational use on our surrounding lands. The Horse Council is working on acquiring truck and trailer parking to access our valley trails.
We are losing access to horseback trails because the parking areas have been eliminated or the land managers have not planned for additional, designated truck and trailer parking. Many of equestrian’s pull off areas along County Roads are being eliminated. Tickets are being issued to anyone parked illegally. Many existing parking lots are too small for trucks and trailers to maneuver and turn around, and many are taken up by cars leaving no space for equestrians.
To learn more -Go to: www.facebook.com/keephorsesontrails/
Below is a link to a petition for you to have family and friends sign to help preserve and protect our access through equestrian parking. The BLM, Pitkin, Eagle, and Garfield Counties need to include equestrians as multi-user trail users and partners.
Please print one cover page, then as many additional signature pages as you wish, staple them together, and get as many people as you can to sign to support this important initiative.
Mail to:
Holly McLain
1844 Upper Cattle Creek Road
Carbondale, CO 81623
or call me with questions –- 970 948 2151
Thank you,
Holly McLain
RFVHC Communication Chairman
Prince Creek Petition Forms (Word Document)
2.17.18
The first part of the Haines BLM Issue: Prince Creek Parking Lot
Please weigh in on these two options, with truck and trailer parking, which we would like to be added for equestrian use. Let Pitkin County know that horsewomen and horsewomen desire a parking lot for the Prince Creek Trail system.
Please go to this link:
https://www.pitkinostprojects.com/prince-creek-road-trail-and-parking.html
Please read our letter below for more information:
Please weigh in on these two options, with truck and trailer parking, which we would like to be added for equestrian use. Let Pitkin County know that horsewomen and horsewomen desire a parking lot for the Prince Creek Trail system.
Please go to this link:
https://www.pitkinostprojects.com/prince-creek-road-trail-and-parking.html
Please read our letter below for more information:
January 24, 2018
To the Pitkin BOCC and Pitkin OST Board and Staff:
The Roaring Fork Valley Horse Council (RFVHC) would like to thank the Pitkin BOCC and Pitkin OST Board for supporting the historic precedent of including equestrians on public open space trails, most specifically on the new Prince Creek Trail, as stipulated in the adopted Prince Creek Management Plan. Thank you for defending the historic rights of equestrians and future generations for continued use on the many trails that were established by horses/owners/riders, and which equestrians continue to use now, and wish to use into the future.
The Bull Pen Parking area has historically been used as a holding area for livestock, including horses for generations. Historically Prince Creek Road had many pull outs, where equestrians parked and accessed the Crown’s many trails.
Pitkin County has indicated that all pull outs on Prince Creek County Road will be closed and all parking on Prince Creek Road will be illegal. Without the proposed Bull Pen parking area, or a comparable parking alternative near the Prince Creek Trail head, historical horseback rider’s access is threatened.
The following data supports our position:
History about horses on trails
In the state of Colorado, if you have carried out the same work with access on the land for 18 years or more, you then have the legal right to continue use. (Colorado Rev. Stat. § 38-41-10). Horses and ranchers made most of the trails in the Roaring Fork Valley starting with the Homestead Act of 1862. The fact is that horse/owners/riders established and used these public trails for 156 years.
Many ranchers made trails on public lands and within the wilderness to access high country pastures for their livestock. Most of our local trails were created by men and women on horseback. The following is an example of historical evidence.
Snowmass history: The ‘Cattle Queen of Snow Mass’
In newspaper articles from 1905, Miss Catherine, better known as Kate Lindvig, was referred to as the "Cattle Queen of Snow Mass." In the late 1890s, she moved to Colorado from Denmark and ran a boardinghouse in Aspen.
Around 1898, she relocated to a ranch at the base of Snowmass Divide and registered her stock brand, a backward L with a 2 on its front side, with the county clerk. She made many of the trails within the wilderness boundary in Snowmass Creek for her cattle’s summer grazing.
By 1906, Kate made her final proof that she was working her land to satisfy the 1862 Homestead Act, making the land officially hers.
She worked the land, which was referred to as Snowmass Falls Ranch, and raised cattle along with hay and oats as a lone woman. She never married. She made the papers showing up to classes on ranching as the only woman, but she also took classes on what was traditionally "women's work." In 1943, Kate sold the ranch to the Perry family and moved to California to live with relatives at a lower elevation. She passed away in 1957 at the age of 93.
Also read the link below:
End of Trail - Western Horseman
https://www.westernhorseman.com/slides/30-on-the-trail/681-end-of-trail
“Across the United States, riding trails are at risk. More than ever, backcountry horsemen must compete with hikers, mountain bikers, ATV riders ... the trail, destroying signs and trail markers, erecting gates and fences, and even threatening horseback riders and trail volunteers who try to access the loop.”
CLARIFICATION
We appreciate that horses are included in the approved Prince Creek Management Plan as recreational trail users, by document statements and by showing equestrian icons on the original, approved map for the Prince Creek Trail.
Page 25 of the approved and adopted Prince Creek Management Plan has two sections.
In section 4.2.1, Recreation, “the trail is intended to be natural surface and accommodate all abilities and users, including mountain bikers, pedestrians, and equestrians.”
However, in section 4.2.3 of the new Prince Creek Trail and Parking document, the needs of hikers and bikers are only addressed, with no mention of equestrians. Pitkin County is assuming no responsibility for providing parking for equestrians to access the approved Prince Creek Trail.
The new Prince Creek Trail and Parking document requesting public comment may have contradicted and confused the public during the public comment period. The Prince Creek/Crown Mountain Parking map, which is included on the comment page, has also removed all equestrian icons from this new, Pitkin County, Open Space, Prince Creek Trail map.
We are aware that the BLM recognizes equestrian use on the Crown. Removing any potential equestrian parking and access through Prince Creek will virtually eliminate horses from using their historic access through Pitkin County Open Space to all the middle trails on the Crown.
By removing both the statement and the icon, it appears that historic equestrian trail use is being jeopardized.
Please restore equestrian use in the trail use statement, and reinstate the icon on the maps for the Prince Creek Trail and Parking document, which is published on the Pitkin OST web site for the Prince Creek Trail and Parking project for public comment. This will make it clear to the public that horses are included as trail users. The RFVHC is concerned that this lack of clarity may have interfered with the public comment process for parking.
The RFVHC holds that horses must have equal recreational access to trails based on historical land use rights. In all instances, public parking gives public access. Horsemen and horsewomen are part of our public recreational fabric.
Thank you for clarifying Pitkin County’s intent to preserve and protect these historic equestrian rights, as stipulated in the Prince Creek Management Plan to use the Prince Creek Trail. Now, please help us park for access to the middle part of the Crown.
We formally request truck and trailer parking for equestrians within the proposed Bull Pen area, or in a comparable parking alternative area near the Prince Creek Trail Head. A site visit to this area, as was done for the Glassier Parking area, would help clarify possibilities for all recreational trail partners.
The Glassier Parking and trail solution was an excellent idea and a resounding success. We look forward to hearing about a future site visit.
Respectfully Submitted,
RFVHC Board of Directors
1.24.18
To the Pitkin BOCC and Pitkin OST Board and Staff:
The Roaring Fork Valley Horse Council (RFVHC) would like to thank the Pitkin BOCC and Pitkin OST Board for supporting the historic precedent of including equestrians on public open space trails, most specifically on the new Prince Creek Trail, as stipulated in the adopted Prince Creek Management Plan. Thank you for defending the historic rights of equestrians and future generations for continued use on the many trails that were established by horses/owners/riders, and which equestrians continue to use now, and wish to use into the future.
The Bull Pen Parking area has historically been used as a holding area for livestock, including horses for generations. Historically Prince Creek Road had many pull outs, where equestrians parked and accessed the Crown’s many trails.
Pitkin County has indicated that all pull outs on Prince Creek County Road will be closed and all parking on Prince Creek Road will be illegal. Without the proposed Bull Pen parking area, or a comparable parking alternative near the Prince Creek Trail head, historical horseback rider’s access is threatened.
The following data supports our position:
History about horses on trails
In the state of Colorado, if you have carried out the same work with access on the land for 18 years or more, you then have the legal right to continue use. (Colorado Rev. Stat. § 38-41-10). Horses and ranchers made most of the trails in the Roaring Fork Valley starting with the Homestead Act of 1862. The fact is that horse/owners/riders established and used these public trails for 156 years.
Many ranchers made trails on public lands and within the wilderness to access high country pastures for their livestock. Most of our local trails were created by men and women on horseback. The following is an example of historical evidence.
Snowmass history: The ‘Cattle Queen of Snow Mass’
In newspaper articles from 1905, Miss Catherine, better known as Kate Lindvig, was referred to as the "Cattle Queen of Snow Mass." In the late 1890s, she moved to Colorado from Denmark and ran a boardinghouse in Aspen.
Around 1898, she relocated to a ranch at the base of Snowmass Divide and registered her stock brand, a backward L with a 2 on its front side, with the county clerk. She made many of the trails within the wilderness boundary in Snowmass Creek for her cattle’s summer grazing.
By 1906, Kate made her final proof that she was working her land to satisfy the 1862 Homestead Act, making the land officially hers.
She worked the land, which was referred to as Snowmass Falls Ranch, and raised cattle along with hay and oats as a lone woman. She never married. She made the papers showing up to classes on ranching as the only woman, but she also took classes on what was traditionally "women's work." In 1943, Kate sold the ranch to the Perry family and moved to California to live with relatives at a lower elevation. She passed away in 1957 at the age of 93.
Also read the link below:
End of Trail - Western Horseman
https://www.westernhorseman.com/slides/30-on-the-trail/681-end-of-trail
“Across the United States, riding trails are at risk. More than ever, backcountry horsemen must compete with hikers, mountain bikers, ATV riders ... the trail, destroying signs and trail markers, erecting gates and fences, and even threatening horseback riders and trail volunteers who try to access the loop.”
CLARIFICATION
We appreciate that horses are included in the approved Prince Creek Management Plan as recreational trail users, by document statements and by showing equestrian icons on the original, approved map for the Prince Creek Trail.
Page 25 of the approved and adopted Prince Creek Management Plan has two sections.
In section 4.2.1, Recreation, “the trail is intended to be natural surface and accommodate all abilities and users, including mountain bikers, pedestrians, and equestrians.”
However, in section 4.2.3 of the new Prince Creek Trail and Parking document, the needs of hikers and bikers are only addressed, with no mention of equestrians. Pitkin County is assuming no responsibility for providing parking for equestrians to access the approved Prince Creek Trail.
The new Prince Creek Trail and Parking document requesting public comment may have contradicted and confused the public during the public comment period. The Prince Creek/Crown Mountain Parking map, which is included on the comment page, has also removed all equestrian icons from this new, Pitkin County, Open Space, Prince Creek Trail map.
We are aware that the BLM recognizes equestrian use on the Crown. Removing any potential equestrian parking and access through Prince Creek will virtually eliminate horses from using their historic access through Pitkin County Open Space to all the middle trails on the Crown.
By removing both the statement and the icon, it appears that historic equestrian trail use is being jeopardized.
Please restore equestrian use in the trail use statement, and reinstate the icon on the maps for the Prince Creek Trail and Parking document, which is published on the Pitkin OST web site for the Prince Creek Trail and Parking project for public comment. This will make it clear to the public that horses are included as trail users. The RFVHC is concerned that this lack of clarity may have interfered with the public comment process for parking.
The RFVHC holds that horses must have equal recreational access to trails based on historical land use rights. In all instances, public parking gives public access. Horsemen and horsewomen are part of our public recreational fabric.
Thank you for clarifying Pitkin County’s intent to preserve and protect these historic equestrian rights, as stipulated in the Prince Creek Management Plan to use the Prince Creek Trail. Now, please help us park for access to the middle part of the Crown.
We formally request truck and trailer parking for equestrians within the proposed Bull Pen area, or in a comparable parking alternative area near the Prince Creek Trail Head. A site visit to this area, as was done for the Glassier Parking area, would help clarify possibilities for all recreational trail partners.
The Glassier Parking and trail solution was an excellent idea and a resounding success. We look forward to hearing about a future site visit.
Respectfully Submitted,
RFVHC Board of Directors
1.24.18
ROARING FORK VALLEY HORSE COUNCIL
P.O. Box 127, Snowmass, Colorado 81654
* 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization *
rfvhc.colorado@gmail.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/keephorsesontrails/
P.O. Box 127, Snowmass, Colorado 81654
* 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization *
rfvhc.colorado@gmail.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/keephorsesontrails/