Membership Meeting

January 18, 2018

Florida Grange

Program

Scott Wait Colorado Parks & Wildlife

Bringing Lynx to Colorado

Contact the editor:

Kathy Sherer 970-884-2355 jksherer@q.com

Inside the January

HIGHLINE Trails Forever Fund ........................ 2

PHT Products ................................. 2

FCER Adoptable Horse .................. 2

Hermosa Creek Mgmt Plan ............ 3

Saul’s Creek Parking Area ............. 4

HR 1349 ......................................... 4

Tack Sale Planning ......................... 5

Christmas Party .............................. 5

JMHA Adoptable Horse ................. 5

Happy Trails, Bev ........................... 6

Board Meeting Highlights .............. 7

Calendar of Events ......................... 7

Advertising…………… ......... …8-9

From the President’s Pen

By Julie Figg

How many remember when you first became a member of Four Corners Back Country Horsemen and why you joined? I moved to this area in October 2011, joining Charles who had moved to our property in 2010. I had spent the last 17 years in Oklahoma City. We had 5 acres there and the closest decent place to trail ride was an hour and a half away. It was land owned by OSU, state land that we had to pay a fee to use.

I had never heard of the Back County Horsemen much less the concept of trails on public land. My love is distance riding and AERC and NATRC rides in OK, TX and MO are mostly held on private lands. Imagine arriving in CO and discovering the public lands that are available for our enjoyment. Charles mentioned to me that there was some “horse group” that met at the fairgrounds every month that I might like to check out.

Fast forward 6 or 7 years. I am so glad I became part of 4CBCH. I have learned so much about what it takes to maintain trails and the work behind the scenes that it takes to continue to use our back country and wilderness.

This year, I want to challenge each member of 4CBCH to step up to the plate and contribute to our organization in a way you have not done before. I’m asking that you get out of your comfort zone and take on a new project. It is incredibly rewarding to see what you can accomplish. For example, last year I got my “A” chain saw rating. Personally, chain saws freaked me out, and I was honestly deathly afraid to even be around them. At the end of the 2-day course, I could competently handle this tool. I also assisted the chapter by setting up our display and manning it at Trails Fest 2000. It was a beautiful day, and I had a blast talking to the public about our organization. So, what will be your challenge?

With that being said, I’d like to remind the membership of the mission of our organization:

To perpetuate the common-sense use and enjoyment of horses in America’s back country and wilderness.

To work to ensure that public lands remain open to recreational stock use.

To assist the various government and private agencies in their maintenance and management of said resource.

To educate, encourage and solicit active participation in the wise use of the back country resource by horsemen and the general public commensurate with our heritage.

To foster and encourage the formation of new state Back Country Horsemen organizations.

So, pick a chapter project that you have never worked on. Better yet, present the chapter with a project that you think fits our mission. You just might surprise yourself at what can be accomplished!

4CBCH has contributed so much to our community. Become part of the heritage with your ideas, creativity and time. With your ideas and effort, we will collectively continue to benefit Back Country Horsemen in our country.

January 2018 Vol. 24, No. 1

January 2018 FOUR CORNERS BACK COUNTRY HORSEMEN 2

Will you Let Washington DC

Take Away Your Trails?

I'm sure you received our recent letter, but I want to especially emphasize the Trails Forever Fund. Most of us care most about the trails in our backyards. They are the trails we ride, know the best, and can travel to for maintenance work. But the maintenance backlog is over-whelming! States and chapters can only do so much.

BCHA’S job is to work at the National Level to protect our access to those trails.

Threats to our trails from WASHINGTON, DC, exist RIGHT NOW. We cannot let political expediency and blatant partisanship change bedrock laws of the land.

BCHA represents the voice of trails and trail riders in the Nation’s Capital.

Hikers, bikers, environmentalists, hunters and anglers, and more… all of these have a voice in Washington. Horsemen have too long been missing from this advocacy. We must be seen to be heard! Funding is everything. You hear more from those groups because they have funding to amplify their voice.

BCHA’s Director of Public Lands & Recreation makes the right connections, monitors Congress for troublesome bills, and knows when key votes or committee hearings are taking place. He develops policy recommendations and works with other like-minded organizations, so our voice is elevated alongside our partners. He has developed strong partner relationships with other organizations that fight for trails and public lands but lack the perspective of stock users.

But we need him to be able to be seen and heard as much as possible – and this takes funding!

WE NEED YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT.

Please consider a year-end donation to the BCHA

Trails Forever Fund to continue and expand this critical presence in Washington, DC.

Trails Forever Donor National Chairman

By Kathy Sherer

I don’t usually advertise horse products—everyone has a different idea about what they like—but this one caught my attention when a friend started raving about it. She has one horse that constantly ties up, another that’s prone to colic, and one that gets nervous trailering or showing.

PHT Magnetic Products are unipolar—they emit the negative field from one side of the magnet and the positive from the other. Other magnetic products may be less expensive, but they probably are bipolar—they emit both positive and negative fields from both sides of the magnet. Research has shown that the negative pole is beneficial to our health, while the positive pole may have unwanted side effects. PHT products are designed so that you can only apply the negative pole to the body.

So… my friend says her horse’s unwanted behavior/illness clears up shortly after putting the blanket on. I want one! They’re expensive, but not compared to a couple of visits from your vet. Another idea is to go in halfsies with a friend. See it at phtproducts.com.

Introducing Epona

Epona is a nice 4-year-old dark bay filly. She is tall and big boned so she will be 16.2 HH or more when mature. She looks to be at least part draft horse which also reflects in her personality.

Epona was part of a herd of horses that were given up by a hoarder. She has rebounded quickly and is learning the basics of haltering, leading, and standing for the farrier. Epona is best suited for a home that includes a patient handler who is willing to teach her. She is current on deworming, vaccinations, teeth floating and hoof care. Her adoption fee is $300.

Call 505-334-7220 or visit our website at www.fourcornersequinerescue.org

January 2018 FOUR CORNERS BACK COUNTRY HORSEMEN 3

San Juan National Forest Announces Decisions for Hermosa Creek Watershed Management Plan and Travel Management Project News Release: Durango, CO—Dec. 20, 2017

The San Juan National Forest has announced that decisions have been signed to finalize the Hermosa Creek Watershed Management Plan and Recreation and Travel Management Project. This comes after three years of public involvement and analysis resulting from a grass-roots effort that led to watershed protection legislation which was signed into law in 2014. The effort includes a planning-level decision which establishes long-term overarching guidance for the watershed in the form of a Forest Plan amendment. It also includes a project-level travel-management decision which includes route-by-route designations of authorized types and seasons of use and decisions related to recreation infrastructure. The decisions provide for:

Restricting all motorized and mechanized (bicycle) travel to designated roads and trails, as legislatively required.

· Preservation of existing landscape character by including a guideline for “no net gain” in trail miles, and adding seasonal closures to all roads and most trails.

· Upcoming opening of two new trails to bike use.

· Proactive management of e-bike use by allowing this emerging use on certain trails.

· Authorization of a new campground to replace an outdated one and address resource impacts.

· Improved water quality and streambank protection by restricting driving off-road for dispersed camping along the Hermosa Park Road (Forest Road #578), authorizing two bridges at road stream crossings, and removing more than 50 miles of closed roads from the system.

· Preserving dispersed camping opportunities by designating camp spur roads.

· Improving public safety by providing for an OHV bypass and eliminating motorized mixed use on a dangerous segment of Road 578.

· Expanding acreage open for over-snow motorized use.

· Enhancing the character of wilderness by eliminating extraneous trails.

· Releasing remnants of recommended wilderness.

· Managing vegetation for resiliency in response to environmental uncertainty.

· Unrestricted use by foot and horse.

Additionally, as a result of objection resolutions, the U.S. Forest Service Rocky Mountain Regional Office has instructed these changes be included in the decisions:

· To allow more flexible management in the future, trails within the ski area permit boundary will be managed by terms defined in the ski area permit instead of becoming Forest Service system trails, and will not be bound by the “no net gain” trail guideline or by the same seasonal closure dates.

· To allow for longer trail use seasons, condition-based seasonal management of trails within elk winter concentration areas will be allowed, subject to compliance. Condition-based criteria have not yet been defined.

· To allow for more recreational opportunities, the Hermosa Creek, Big Lick, and Elbert Creek trails and Lower Hermosa Road will remain open to mechanized (bicycle) use year-round.

The management plan reflecting all the details of the chosen alternative and final decisions will be available in January. In the meantime, the EA and signed Decision Notices are available on the website at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=43010

The Forest Service wishes to thank community members who put in many hours of collaboration during this process. For additional information, please contact District Ranger Matt Janowiak or Project Leader Cam Hooley at the Columbine Ranger District at 970-884-2512.

January 2018 FOUR CORNERS BACK COUNTRY HORSEMEN 4

Durango Herald—December 22, 2017 Many thanks to Julie Figg for spear-heading this long-overdue project!

BEFORE

AFTER

WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN NEXT? The bill could be put before a “floor vote” in the House of Representatives at any time. When, or in what form, the bill might be voted upon is unknown. Given the speed and relative stealth by which this bill moved through committee, however, BCHA members must be prepared to reach out to their representatives at a mo-ment’s notice. BCHA is monitoring the situation and will alert members once we learn the potential date of a floor vote.

REACH OUT TO YOUR REPRESENTATIVE. Yet there is nothing stopping members from reaching out to their representative at this time to demonstrate their views on HR 1349. Information on how you can contact your representa-tive in Congress can be found here. Ask to speak with your representative’s Legislative Assistant for natural resources or public lands-related issues. Develop a relationship by speaking with them or leaving a message each week. Make sure they know you represent a broader BCH state or chapter, and tell them about the great things you do as a volunteer.

HOUSE LEADERS PROBABLY WILL HIDE THE BALL. The timing of a floor vote would have to be approved by the House leadership. HR 1349 could be voted on as a stand-alone bill or, more likely, it could be packaged with other public land bills or must-pass legislation. Given that amending the Wilderness Act is known to be highly controversial—the Act has never been amended throughout the Act’s 53-year history—a floor vote on HR 1349 will most likely be bundled with other, less controversial or even potentially beneficial, public lands legislation. Doing so might be consid-ered as providing “cover” for legislators who don’t want to be viewed as voting to undermine the Wilderness Act.

SENATE BILL LIKELY, CONTACT YOUR SENATORS. We also are on the lookout for introduction of a Senate “companion bill” to HR 1349. Given that legislation must be passed by both the House and Senate before it goes to the President’s desk for signature, a companion bill could be introduced at any time by anti-Wilderness Senator(s) or, alter-natively, should the House pass HR 1349 the bill would automatically be sent to the Senate for consideration. Contact information for your U.S. senators can be found here.

Again, don’t be fooled. Members of Congress could offer provisions on the House floor (i.e., amendments) to further undermine the Wilderness Act. It’s critical we apply constant pressure on our representatives until HR 1349 is soundly defeated. Let your member of Congress know that we will resist all attempts to undermine the Wilderness Act.

HR 1349 next steps: As you know, Wednesday, the House Committee on Natural Resources twice voted on HR 1349 (bikes in Wilderness). On the second vote, the bill was passed out of Committee 22-18 and now moves to the full House for consideration. It was a party-line vote, with only Rep. Liz Cheney (WY) bucking her party to vote against the bill. Wilderness should not be a partisan issue.

January 2018 FOUR CORNERS BACK COUNTRY HORSEMEN 5

Adopotable Horse

This amazing, gentle 4-year-old mustang is from the Devils Garden herd in California. She is a very pretty 14.1 HH black mare She has the basics down and is easy to teach. She is ready to saddle start and will be on the trails in no time. $500 adoption/training fee, comes with clear title. In Bloomfield NM—contact Barb Kiiper 505-

360-5996 at the Jicarilla Mustang Heritage Alliance.

By Don Kelly

The holiday season was a good one and 2018 is upon us. That tells me it’s time to begin planning for our Chapter’s largest fundraiser, our annual TACK SALE!

Our Tack Sale is scheduled for Friday and Saturday, April 6-7 at the La Plata County Fairgrounds, so save the date and get ready. As our sale grows in popularity, we need volunteers (and Team Leaders) to staff the event.

It’s not too early to start going through the barn and tack room to see what you haven’t used for a while. Get it all cleaned up and bring it to the 4CBCH Annual Tack & Equipment Sale on April 7th. Here’s the plan:

Check-in items for sale: Friday, April 6

Come back to shop: Saturday, April 7 (9:00 AM to 3:00 PM)

Pick up payment & unsold items: April 7 (4:00-

5:00PM)

Commercial & nonprofit booths available: contact Julie Eisenman at 970-563-4025

Planning Meeting: Our presale meeting will be held at the Public Lands Center at the Durango Tech Center on Saturday, February 10, from 1:00 to 3:00 pm.

It is time to start planning our Chapter’s annual Tack Sale and I hope you can make it! Our Tack Sale is a success because of the efforts of many, not one. Implementing a tack sale like ours is a real team sport (and should be an Olympic event in the 2018 Winter Olympics)!

Questions: Contact Don Kelly at 970-903-0536 or durangodon63@gmail.com or our

Chapter President Julie Figg at 970-764-3373 or jfigg@frontier.net

Last year, we had many of our chapter members who volunteered to work during all or part of the sale—you can be one of them! As we are still in the process of establishing our team leads, please contact Don or Julie if you have any questions. If you are interested taking a lead role in the sale, or want to be mentored for future leadership opportunities, please give us a call. We want to hear from you!

Proceeds support the work of the Four Corners Back Country Horsemen for the benefit of everyone who enjoys our public lands.

It’s Tack Sale

Time!

Christmas Party is Great Fun! The gift exchange was hysterical, the awards were plentiful, and the dinner by Hot Tomatoes was delicious!

Chris Smyth (see below) was awarded the coveted Golden Support Cup as well as a twine-trimmed hat to identify himself as the King of Twine Collection.

Some other honorable mentions included: ∗ Johnna Blanchard—golden support bra for the Tack

Sale boutique

∗ Cathy Roberts—bubblewrap for best crash

∗ Julie Figg—golden gravel trophy for Saul’s Creek parking lot

∗ Julie Eisenmann—Tack Sale Vendor Queen crown

∗ Art Berg—toilet paper trophy for Farmer Cabin outhouse reconstruction

∗ Chuck Wanner—golden horseshoe for social rides

∗ Jon Sherer—anti-monkeybutt powder for future

unplanned bareback rides

January 2018 FOUR CORNERS BACK COUNTRY HORSEMEN 6

Happy Trails, Bev

By Kathy Sherer

When I sent out word that Bev Warburton had passed away on December 16, emails began circulating among 4CBCH members. These are some of the things people said about Bev:

“I endeavor to live my life like she lived hers.”

“One of a kind and will be missed by all of us who had the privilege of just watching her work...she lit up the trails and led the way to making many trails ride-worthy. How sad to lose her inspiration.”

“She always set the bar high and was a devoted, loyal member who knew when to lead, knew when to listen, and knew when to speak up. We feel honored to have known her and worked by her side. Happy trails, Bev.”

“Bev was a Stanford graduate, so her mind was as great and impressive as her heart. She was willing to help all. I will miss her dearly.”

“Oh how heartbreaking! She was such a happy, uplifting person. She lived a very full life.”

“I will always keep Bev in my heart. She was an inspiration to anyone who ever rode with her. When riding on the Colorado Trail, another rider was heard to say "No way am I complaining if that lady can do this with oxygen tanks!" She will be remembered for her cheerful spirit and resolve to never give up.”

“Bev was a positive influence on all of us. We have truly lost an extraordinary individual.”

“A mentor once said “growing old is not for the faint of heart.” With sadness, I must say to another great lady, rest in peace, Beverly.”

“She truly was a great lady—so willing to help, always there, always with a smile. Rest and Ride in Peace, Bev.”

“She wasn’t just a wonderful person but an amazing one also. A real mentor for how to live to the fullest.”

“She was the most wonderful person - always smiling and always ready to help. She had a beautiful spirit and such a love for life. She loved to ride and she continued to do it long after she needed to carry an oxygen bottle with her.”

“I will miss her smile and spirit. Such a kind little lady who will be missed.”

“Such sad news. I always admired her spunk and wanted to live with as much gusto as she did.”

To read more about Bev’s life, go to

http://www.pagosasun.com/beverly-warburton/

January 2018 FOUR CORNERS BACK COUNTRY HORSEMEN 7

January Board Meeting Highlights

Board Members Present: Kathy Sherer, Larry Zauberis, Chris Smyth, Bill Gilbert, Julie Figg, Chuck Wanner, Ken Hoff, Rachael Mikelson, Katie Minkler Committee Chairs: Jon Sherer Guests: Colleen Hoff Minutes from November 2017 – Approved Treasury Report – December accepted

Membership

A Membership Committee was formed to develop a system to keep better track of who has paid dues and what their participation interests are. Small changes were made to the membership application.

Trails

Katie found an HD trail (Turkey Creek) purposely closed with boulders and trees. She contacted Matt Janowiak who apologized for the mistake and will have it re-opened. Ken suggested a trail clearing project in Falls Creek.

Special Projects

A parking area in Saul’s Creek (across from the well pad) has been completed (see page 4). We have hitch rails that will be installed in the spring. Other possibilities are parking curbs and a mounting block.

Political Affairs

HR1349, a bill to allow bicycles in the wilderness has passed the House (see page 4).

Twine Recycling

Chris reported that we already have 11 bags full of twine. We will need a large flatbed trailer for our next delivery.

The next 4CBCH Board meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on February 7, 2018.

Calendar of Upcoming Events

February

6 Trails Committee meeting—come and help plan our 2018 projects 5:30 PM Public Lands Center– RSVP to Jon Sherer for pizza (jksherer@q.com or 884-2355)

7 4CBCH Board Meeting, guests are welcome 6:30 PM

Contact: Julie Figg (jfigg@frontier.net or 970-442-0575)

10 Tack Sale planning meeting at the San Juan Public Lands Center 1:00 PM

Contact: Don Kelly (970-903-0536 or durangodon63@gmail.com)

15 4CBCH Membership Meeting, presentation TBD 7:00 PM

Contact: Julie Figg (jfigg@frontier.net or 970-442-0575)

January

18 4CBCH Membership Meeting, presentation by Scott Wait from Colorado Parks 7:00 PM

and Wildlife: bringing Lynx to SW Colorado

All meetings are now at the Florida Grange

New Location for all meetings: New Day: Florida Grange—from Elmore’s Corner go south on Hwy 172 3rd Thursday of each month

for .6 mile—it’s on the left next to the Church of Christ Same time: 6:30 social time, 7:00 meeting

January 2018 FOUR CORNERS BACK COUNTRY HORSEMEN 8

AUTO • HOME • LIFE

BUSINESS

JON SHERER

970-259-1202 – Frontage Road in Bodo Park

January 2018 FOUR CORNERS BACK COUNTRY HORSEMEN 9

P.O. Box 321

Durango, CO 81302

www.4cbch.org

Please report your volunteer hours! Go to www.4cbch.org and click on “Volunteer”

or contact Cindy at morincindy7@gmail.com

Is your membership status current?

An application form can be found at www.4cbch.org under “About Us” then “Applications & Forms”

For All Horseman’s Needs:

Feed • Tack • Shoes

Nutritional “Info” • Advice

FARMERS SUPPLY MILL 696 Saw Mill Road • P.O. Box 1726

Durango, Colorado 81302

970-247-1780

Manufacturers of:

Winners Choice Vitamins Super B-Calm for the nervous horse Hoof Bio-Life for problem feet Bone Mender for broken bones Hoof Soak for infections in the hoof

“If we don’t have it, we’ll get it for you”

LIVESTOCK EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIES

FENCING

FARRIER SUPPLIES

ROPES

PET FOOD & SUPPLIES

ANIMAL HEALTH SUPPLIES

VACCINES

FERTILIZER

TACK & GIFT ITEMS

CUSTOM ORDERS

All types of feed: horses, cattle

sheep, goats, pigs

chickens, rabbits

Open Mon-Fri 7:30-6, Sat 8-3

970-884-2400 www.valleyfeedandranchsupply.com

39987 Hwy. 160 E, Gem Village, Bayfield

All major credit cards accepted

O ur purpose is: � to perpetuate enjoyable common sense use

of horses in the backcountry;

� to work to insure that public land remains open to recreational stock use;

� to assist government agencies in maintenance and management of public lands;

� to educate, encourage and solicit active public participation in wise and sustaining use of the backcountry.