MHC Trails Stewardship, continued...


DNR’s legal department to work with Pickett and Reuwer. Unfortunately, the subsequent turnover in both DNR (due to the Moore Administration coming into office) and the local volunteer groups temporarily derailed progress. As Pickett put it, “just when you think you are making progress, appointees and staff change. Two steps forward, three steps back.” Pickett and Reuwer went back to the drawing board, which meant go-


ing back to the Howard County elected officials. Sen. Katie Fry Hester had worked hard during her first campaign to build relationships in the equestrian community – her daughter is a horse lover – and in return, Sen. Hester received strong support from our community. Today those relationships are bearing fruit. Last month, Senator Hester introduced Howard County Bill Ho.Co 5-25 to allow DNR to “enter into use agreements with volunteers to facilitate the use of motor vehicles and motorized equipment within the Patuxent River Wildland,” for the narrow purpose of “maintaining exist- ing paths to ensure clear and safe access to the wildland.” Tis bill, if passed, would remove any doubt that volunteer groups in


the Patuxent River Wildland are allowed to help DNR keep the trails open for first responders while also allowing DNR to “set the rules” for volunteers by requiring user agreements. Getting to this point has taken nine years of dedicated, grass-roots advo-


cacy. Although Reuwer and Pickett have retired from the Howard Coun- ty-Iron Bridge Hounds, they continue to hunt with a private pack and continue to lobby strenuously on this issue. Meanwhile, other equestrian organizations have gotten involved, such as MHC member organization


TROT (Trail Riders of Today), represented by their president Carolann Sharpe (also an MHC Director and chair of the MHC Trails Stewardship Committee); and HCIBH (which is a lifetime member of MHC) which is now represented by Ann Moxley. Pickett observes: “Tis has been a long and frustrating journey for something that seems like common sense: first responders need to be able to quickly and ef- ficiently access park users suffering from injuries or other medical emer- gencies. Over the years, more and more park users have also begun to complain about access to the interior of the wildlands, and to agitate with DNR. Have we finally reached a tipping point?” Te Howard County delegation introduced the bill in the Senate on


February 3, and the delegation then heard testimony from local orga- nizations and Howard County residents on February 5. Two members of the MHC Board of Directors spoke. Tere will be a full committee hearing in the Senate on March 4, at 1 p.m., at which witnesses and organization from outside Howard County will be heard. For more in- formation, contact our Government Relations team at governmentrela- tions@mdhoursecouncil.org. Te bill still has a ways to go to get it over the finish line before sine


die on April 7. But it is a start – and the equestrian community is cau- tiously optimistic. On behalf of all park users, we offer a big THANK YOU to Sena-


tor Katie Fry Hester for working so hard to help first responders in the Patuxent River Wildlands finally reach those in need!


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