Director's Report:

Report on BCHW Board of Directors meeting

 Cle Elum, WA, September 23, 2006

 The BCHW Board met on a very nice sunny day, too good for an all-day meeting!  Lots of stuff came up, some good, some bad.

The Washington Wilderness Coalition sent a letter to the US Forest Service on “Trail Classification” and its discrimination against pack and saddle stock in wilderness areas.  This coalition is made up of: the Wilderness Society, Conservation Northwest and Washington Trails.  The letter was very well written and is very supportive of BCHA’s and BCHW’s case against the new proposed “Trail Classifications”.  The payback for BCHW was support of the 2001 Roadless Rule (Clinton’s) that has replaced the 2005 Roadless Rule (Bush’s).  The 2005 Rule gives the individual Governors of each state a lot of say in Roadless areas and Gregoire is getting involved to our detriment (my opinion).  These changes have been caused by various activist judges and the legal shenanigans are not yet done.  The 2001 decision is on appeal, so stay tuned.  The ultimate concern about the amount of “Roadless areas” is that these areas becomes de facto wilderness, with an associated loss of management. No management means forests burn.  After an intense discussion The BCHW Board voted to support the 2001 Roadless Rule and the request of the Washington Wilderness Coalition.  Four chapters dissented: Methow Valley, Okanogan, Tri-River and Ferry.

For some good news, Bob Shonka and Mike Reedy (BCHA Reps) gave a report on the “Right to Ride” bill in the senate.  A lobbyist helped to figure out what the problem was with the bill in the Senate.  The problem was with the wording, this is being corrected.  It will no longer be called the “Right to Ride” bill.  If the re-write turns out to be acceptable, Maria Cantwell will broker the bill on the Democratic side in committee; she has already written a letter to the USFS asking them to scrap the new trail classification proposals.  If the bill does not pass this year in an “Omnibus Bill”, it will be presented next year.  It is being presented in an omnibus bill because the administration has vocal opposition to the individual bill but will not wish to veto the spending on other parts of the omnibus bill.

BCHW is asking each individual member to complete an economic survey which should be mailed to Bob Shonka by November 15.  BCHW will use the results of the survey to document the economic impact of horses and mules in Washington for our Legislators, State Agencies, sponsors and advertisers.  Please no names, just the county of residence.  Bob’s address is:-  PO Box 146, Monroe, WA 98272.  As of today he has received only 100 replies.  Send yours in as soon as possible, so this survey has maximum impact.  (Forms are in the October Trailhead News and November Horsetails).

 The 2007 General Membership Meeting will be at the Monroe Fairgrounds on the first weekend of June with a probable Board meeting (not a good time as this is National Trails Day).

Jo Dasso will be resigning as the THN editor on December 31.  A new THN proposal was put forward with only six issues per year to be published by Washington Media services.  This company produces the BCHA newsletter.  The cost to do this was included in the 2007 budget, but at least one other bid is being sought for the THN.

The 2007 BCHW budget was passed, more details later.

 Submitted by William P. Ford