Update on DNR Meetings for Clinton, Ionia, Shiawassee Trail
Report on Mar. 23 & 24 DNR Open Houses and Mar 25 Friends of FM CIS Annual meeting
1. Many equestrians came to both open houses where their comments were written down by DNR & National Park Planning members. At least 70% of those who came were equestrians outnumbering all other users. I feel that facilitators were shocked by this turnout. I persuaded Tom Tyler, Tom’s Western Store to attend and his comments about economic impact were listened to. The Planner for Clinton Co/Tri County Governing Bd. admitted he did not know there was a tack store in the area! The Friends Group had their eyes opened. I am very pleased that if you were there and spoke to these planners, your time was well spent. These comments will be compiled & assessed into the use design and development of the trail.
2. If you did not get to these meetings, they did a list of names but did not write names w/comment. YOU CAN STILL MAKE COMMENTS REGARDING THIS RAIL TRAIL PROJECT. THE DNR RETURNED TUES. WITH AN EMAIL CONTACT. (Maybe when I told them I had 76 emails last week it had an impact.) Please make a comment, add something you forgot last week, ADD YOUR SUPPORT FOR THE PROJECT. Include ZIPCODE
They had a green questionnaire sheet (I could not get extras to mail to some of you) They wanted to know your uses of trail, activities, services trail should provide (they now know “horse parking” means hitching rail, pickett poles) manure management, TRAIL SURFACE-asphalt-crushed limestone-unimproved, distance between, trail heads, access to town/water/bathroom, how far you would ride, safety, parallel separate or on top, conflict with other users. and how far you’d drive to use trail.
Send Project comments for the Clinton-Ionia- Shiawassee Rail Trail: DNR-RTS@michigan.gov
Planning process information will soon be available at: http://www.michigan.gov/dnr
3. Wed. CIS meeting was run entirely different since it was their annual meeting. The hall was standing room only, mostly equestrians and the air was tense. Barbara Nelson-Jameson, Planner was the main speaker. She said the most encouraging words-”Horse people we have heard you”. she presented a power point presentation and took a few questions. Nancy Klurazar(sp)Executive Director of Mi Greenways Alliance also spoke. She did a power point that had one picture w/horses. She said, she did not know how many railtrails there were in Mi and how many were horse accessible. she stated the all the trails she knew about had a fence, greenbelt or space between horses and other users for safety reasons. Several attempted to correct her. She took only a few questions. Carolyn Kayne(sp)from the Hartland trail(Alma to Greenville) was there and that rail trail has JUST purchased the 16 mile Rail trail from Lowell to Ionia to hook up with their newly purchased 22 miles from Lowell to Greenville. Guess what-There will be NO HORSES THERE!!! So our CIS horse mileage becomes more important.
The nominees for Board were not allowed to be introduced, no ballots were given out-unless you produced evidence of paid 2008 membership. No challenge to change their bylaws could be mounted. Only 5 people were allowed to speak -3min each. during public comment. I did find out using “FOIA” orally, what the vote count was. I had 12 votes compared to the incumbent, Adelle Rogers’ 47. That was out of aprox. 150 ballots. I thank those who did vote for me, but relieved in a way not to join them and have to sign that code of conduct. This way I can continue to speak about CIs with out written Board approval.
4. The evenings HIGHLIGHT came as our group was leaving, Barbara Nelson- Jameson left whom she was speaking with and approached us. “Great Job getting organized and getting the horse people out and involved. Stay involved.” I take that as a very positive sign for equestrian support. Please, send in your comments.
5. Post this on to your groups, we must not stop here. We’ve shown our hand, we must stay aware of the process as this plan develops because more stakeholder meetings will review the draft plan, and its alternatives (I’m sure they-other users- will strongly oppose horses) and then the process for the final plan. A suggested timeline for this 1st stage if by summer 09, draft and final early 2010, implement development 2010-2011. Do not give up, we have made a significant changing in the planning process. Thurs. I was apart of the Greenways Summit Planning for Clinton County, that group seemed very favorable and open to horses.
6. PLEASE-Check your email address and that of friends, I get a whole bunch back. GRRRRRR!
Marsha Putnam
7455 Riley Rd.
Elsie, MI 48831
989-661-2541 H 989-277-8544 C
