By Joseph K Giddens | Red Rock News
The Red Rock Ranger District held a public meeting on the proposed Red Rock Trails Access Plan for a standing room only crowd of around 90 attendees at its district office on Dec. 5.
While this is the typical process for public input when a federal agency proposes to undertake a major action in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act, this is the only public meeting to take place during the public comment period.
U.S. Forest Service representatives provided a 20-minute overview of the proposal, which involves several projects around Sedona and the Village of Oak Creek and one in Cornville. However, while attendees wanted to have a formal question-and answer session with USFS representatives, staff kept trying to move into informal breakout sessions between residents and staff.
“When we have public meetings, the open house style allows us to get engaged with individuals and make sure that all individuals’ questions are answered,” District Ranger Amy Tinderholt said when asked about the resistance. “That’s what we’re trying to accomplish with the open house.”
“Any time the Federal government wants to limit access to public lands it should be greatly scrutinized. The idea that the trails are too hazardous for horses is a weak argument. I don’t believe we should be sacrificing our freedoms for security. People should make their own choices about how they recreate. If the trails are hazardous they should be marked appropriately, not restricted. If this restriction is implemented it sets a terrible precedent. Equestrian sports are a billion dollar industry in the State of Arizona and a part of our culture and history. Considering there were no citable reports of adverse equine incidents on the trail in question, why alienate such a prominent constituency of outdoorsmen and women?” -Adam Trenk, Rose Law Group partner and director of the firm’s equine law practice.
