GOOD NEWS FOR EQUESTRIANS

Post date: May 08, 2015 6:22:3 PM

The good news is that the E-mails from Back Country Horsemen of Florida and equestrians throughout Florida to Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) was VERY effective. At the "Kickoff" meeting in Webster yesterday the Coast to Coast (C2C) Trail planners agreed to provide equestrian trails, where appropriate, along the C2C Trail. The also agreed to seek out and contact equestrian organizations and riding clubs local to the route of the trail in order to determine needs and to get recommendations. Finally, Truman Prevatt, president of Back Country Horsemen of Florida and a Certified Trail Master, was appointed to the C2C Trail advisory committee to represent equestrian interests.

Some residents living adjacent to the proposed southern route, along SR 50, were very vocal and adamantly opposed to the southern route which would go through the Richloam section of the Withlacoochee State Forest. The FDOT planners also stated that much of Richloam is under water for much of the year and not conducive to trails. Another concern was bicyclist safety as hunting and hunting with dogs is permitted in Richloam.

We must remain diligent to monitor the progress of this project.

Gary Macintosh, VP

Back Country Horsemen of Florida