Eco Gala, Green Cup of Polo Support EPIC

The 2011 Green Cup Polo weekend begins with the Eco Gala, Thursday, September 15, at the magnificent L2 Lounge in the heart of Georgetown. As a best-in-class lounge that competes with scenes found in international destinations worldwide, L2 is ideally suited to host the Green Cup Eco Gala with it’s international audience of like-minded diplomats, Washingtonians and polo players. Join us at this world-class location for an exciting evening including a green auction, music and an opportunity to mingle with VIPs, sponsors and polo players. Tickets cost $100 each.

The weekend caps off with the Green Cup Polo on Saturday, September 17. General admission tickets start at $25 per person if purchased before September 14. Prices go up for purchasing tickets at the door. A combo gala/VIP Clubhouse Ticket is available for the special price of $150.

Action Needed: Recreational Trail Funding in Jeopardy

From Equine Land Conservation Resource:

July 28, 2011—There is an urgent issue that needs your attention having to do with federal recreational trail spending. The Recreational Trail Program (RTP)—the primary source of trail funding in this country—is in great jeopardy.

Horsemen should contact their federal legislators immediately to help preserve funding for recreational trails. If we do not act, many trails will be closed and there will be little in the way of new trail construction or federal funds for maintenance (which will lead to more closures).

RTP is a program of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), providing funds to the states to develop and maintain recreational trails and trail-related facilities for both motorized and non-motorized recreational trail uses.

On July 7, U.S. Congressman John Mica, Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, released an outline of a “Transportation Reauthorization Proposal.” As reported by Stuart Macdonald, Chair of the National Association of State Trail Administrators, here are the key points for the Congressman Mica’s proposal:

• Consolidation or elimination of most “special” programs, including RTP, Enhancements, Safe Routes, etc.
• States will be permitted to fund such “non-highway activities” but will no longer be required to set aside funds.
• Funding is reduced from the $50 billion authorized in 2010 to something closer to the $35 billion in annual revenue from current fuel taxes.

The Coalition for Recreational Trails (CRT), formed in 1992 to ensure that RTP receives adequate funding, is encouraging an amendment to the proposal, should it be introduced as a House bill. “This would require serious commitment from enough members of Congress to challenge Rep. Mica’s austere budget,” said Macdonald.

How do we save the RTP? By speaking up to our Senators and Congressmen and telling them how important recreational trails are to our families. Trail riders and equestrian trail clubs – everyone needs to participate. The voice of many is more effective than the voice of one.  We need to think beyond the next ride, sit down at the computer or pick up the phone and take action, otherwise RTP may be eliminated and the future of equestrian trails will be in great jeopardy.

When speaking with your elected official or his/her staff member, you can make your case even stronger if you point out just how much RTP funding is at risk in your state. To find your state’s share, click here.

Please contact your legislator TODAY and let them know how important the RTP program and equestrian trails are to you.

Find your Senator’s contact information.

Find your Congressman’s contact information.

Action Alert: Ask Your Senator To Restore Farm Conservation Funding

EPIC Trail Courtesy Reminder

As the milder spring weather beckons us to hit the trails, we would like to ask your cooperation in permitting key portions of an EPIC trail to remain open for responsible use by all of us.

Due solely to the much-appreciated courtesy of Daphne Ross, the Dry Seneca Creek Trail runs along the border of, and probably is just within, the property of Daphne’s beautiful Tulip Pond Farm on Partnership Road in Poolesville. Unfortunately, some riders on the trail have, inadvertently we suspect, not observed basic courtesies in riding that portion of the trail. That has caused Daphne to be properly concerned about the safety of students and others at her farm.

Specifically, trail riders have been either (a) sufficiently loud as to bother horses and riders at Tulip Pond or (b) sufficiently quiet so as to startle horses there. We ask that riders alert others of their coming when riding along the ledge of the creek that borders Daphne’s property. We also ask that dogs not be included in any ride along that portion of the trail, as there have been instances of the dogs wandering into the farm. And, to state the obvious, we ask that no riders ride on Tulip Pond proper without advance invitation. We understand that there has already been one incident at Tulip Pond involving encroachment by non-resident riders where a young riding student fell, was concussed and had to undergo substantial medical treatment and miss considerable school time. So let’s appreciate that this is far more than a theoretical issue, and one we need to address promptly.

Thank you for your assistance in keeping our EPIC trails and the surrounding properties safe for all. Please do not hesitate to contact us at info@epicmontgomery.org if you have any questions or concerns.

Help Ensure Maryland Trail Funding

Funding for Maryland’s public riding trails may be in jeopardy. If you enjoy riding on Maryland’s trails, your action is needed by this Thursday to help ensure their future.

From The Equiery blog:

Many Maryland equestrian trail projects have benefited from federal funds through the Federal Highway Administration’s Recreational Trails Program (RTP), which is set to expire and must be reauthorized in the next national surface transportation program (highway) bill. Chances are good that the trails you ride on have received some of this funding via the Maryland Department of Transportation.

A “Dear Colleague” letter in support of RTP is being circulated by Congressmen Petri (R-WI) and Michaud (D-ME). (View Dear Colleague Letter)

The American Horse Council urges you to call or email your Representative and ask him or her to sign the Dear Colleague letter in support of RTP being circulated by Congressmen Petri and Michaud.

The deadline for your Member of Congress to sign the letter is Thursday, April 14.

Read the rest of the post HERE.

Potomac Pony Club Field Announcement

To riders who use the Potomac Pony Club field on Bucklodge Rd., in Boyds:

The Pony Club has just seeded many areas, including the polocrosse pitch and the show-jump ring. The board has asked us to request that our members avoid riding in those areas if it is too wet.

Thank you very much for your assistance!

Program Open Space Needs Your Help

Do you know where most of your riding trails come from? Program Open Space funds the majority of public land where those public trails are located.

Recent budget discussions threaten to essentially abolish Program Open Space and all related land-conservation programs in Maryland. Contact your legislators today and urge them to reject recommendations to take dedicated open space funds to balance the state budget!

Although the Governor had proposed to keep Program Open Space intact in his budget, we learned in this week’s House Budget Reconciliation and Financing Act hearing that the Department of Legislative Services is recommending that all transfer tax money generated for the purpose of Program Open Space go to the General Fund and be replaced with $50 million total per year, for ALL programs, from 2013 through 2016.

Program Open Space is a nationally renowned program that works, and people across Maryland—people such as yourself—are rightfully passionate about protecting it. This recommendation made by DLS is a sweeping change in State policy that is a breach of public trust and would essentially end Program Open Space and related preservation programs. This recommended action strikes at the heart of the spirit and intent of Program Open Space as it was created 41 years ago. It would abolish Program Open Space! Now is the time to inundate the Senate and House leadership with emails and phone calls, rejecting this reccomendation.   

PLEASE CONTACT YOUR LEGISLATORS TODAY!
You can find your legislator at http://mdelect.net.

Action Update: Parks Bill WITHDRAWN

February 18, 2011—THIS JUST IN! The County Executive has withdrawn Bill MC/PG 112-11, a measure that would have threatened Park funding and safety!

Characterized as “enabling legislation” and late filed, without public comment, by the County Executive, legislation (MC/PG112-11) was withdrawn by County Executive Ike Leggett today. Characterized by Parks advocates as a “sneak attack” on the independence of the Parks system and its parent agency, the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, the bill, if passed, would have paved the way for more control by elected officials of the independent commission.

According to former Planning Board Chair Royce Hanson: “It is an indisputable fact that the existence of the Ag Reserve and the greening of Montgomery County are due largely to the existence of the M-NCPPC,” and its independence.

Article 28 is the state law that created the Commission as an agency independent of electoral politics. The County Executive and Council do control the operating budget of the Parks system but cannot cut below a certain threshold established by Article 28 and the County “Parks Tax” on  real estate sales. MC/PG 112-11 would have allowed the Executive to cut the Parks budget below that threshold, making it possible for the Executive to consolidate the Park Police and the County Police, described by Leggett as a cost-saver, but disputed by many.

The idea of a “merger” of the two entities is still under discussion. Concerns about actual costs or savings and the safety of Park users are only two questions being examined that cast suspicion over this initiative, with some concerned that it is more about power and control than about cost-saving measures. The Montgomery County Police Chief has stated publicly that a merger would result in lessened Parks security.

The coalition of groups behind Save our Parks Montgomery would like to thank all the concerned MoCo Residents who wrote or called the council, leading them to definitively vote down the proposal. You really made a difference!

Thanks for supporting YOUR parks!

Voice Your Support for the Recreational Trails Program

Every few years Congress passes a multiyear national surface transportation bill. This bill funds transportation projects and programs such as the Recreational Trails Program (RTP) which provides money for state and local trail projects.

The House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure has announced a series of field hearings that will take place in February on the next multiyear national surface transportation bill. The Committee will seek input on priorities for the bill.

If you live near one of the scheduled hearings this is an opportunity to voice support of the RTP Program and the benefit it provides to equestrians.

Scheduled Hearings
2/17    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
2/18    Scranton, Pennsylvania and Rochester, New York
2/19   Columbus, Ohio – Ohio State House, Senate Finance Hearing Room, 1 Capitol Square – This field hearing of the Full Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m.
2/19    Indianapolis, Indiana
2/20    Chicago, Illinois
2/21    Vancouver, Washington
2/22    Fresno, California
2/23    Los Angeles, California
2/24    Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
2/24    Jonesboro, Arkansas
2/25    Memphis, Tennessee

Contact your Representative’s local office to get times and exact locations. Find your Representative HERE.

About the Recreational Trails Program

• The RTP provides funding directly to the states for recreational trails and trail-related facilities for both non-motorized and motorized recreational trail uses. The RTP will have to be re-authorized in the next national surface transportation program bill if it is to continue.

• Since its inception the RTP has provided approximately $700 million for thousands of state and local trail projects across the country, including many that benefit equestrians. RTP projects consist of construction, maintenance and restoration of trails and trail related facilities as well as the acquisition of easements or property for trails.

• Although each state manages its own program, 30% of RTP funds must be spent on non-motorized projects like equestrian trails, 30% on motorized, and 40% percent on multiuse projects.

• The RTP is one of the few sources for federal funding of trail projects that are not on federal land.  The program is a great resource for equestrians to fund projects in their state and local parks.

• The AHC in conjunction with a broad coalition of recreational users has been working to ensure RTP is included in any national highway bill passed by Congress.

Montgomery County Parks Are Under Attack! Your Action Is Needed Before Monday, February 14.

Legislation just proposed by County Executive Ike Leggett threatens Montgomery County’s Park funding and safety.

1. Allow funds, now guaranteed to the Parks Department for acquisition, development, maintenance and recreational facilities, to be siphoned by the Executive and Council at their discretion.
2. Transfer management of all park lands and facilities from the independent Park and Planning Commission to the Montgomery County government. Under Mr. Leggett’s scenario, the County’s vast acres of parkland would become subject to the political whims of elected officials. Pressures to use parkland for housing or transportation projects would likely increase under politicized management.
3. Negatively impact public safety and park use by merging the Park Police, now directed by the Planning Commission, to the County Police with allegiance to the County Executive. The assertion that the merger of the two forces would save money was debunked in the 2010 budget hearings.  Park police pay and retirement benefits are lower than county police. This merger may actually cost money. Park Police are trained to routinely monitor park use, safety concerns and more. Under County Police authority, in-depth park monitoring would not likely be a priority.

What can YOU do to stop this dangerous legislation?

Write and/or call your councilmembers BEFORE next Monday, February 14, when they will vote. Tell them to oppose Bill MC/PG112-11. An individual e-mail copied to each one is most effective.

Just a few sentences in your own words are more powerful than form letters. We have included some key talking points below for your convenience.

1. Continue to guarantee funding for parks. Provision for optional funding is an invitation to disaster to the long term health of the County’s park system and to the public’s safety and welfare.
2. Montgomery’s residents rate their park system as a primary reason to live and locate businesses here. This action will negatively affect all residents.
3. Park Police are best in charge of our parks! Their presence keeps parks safe for all!
4. Our county runs strong because of the independent nature of the Park and Planning Commission! Politics must not play a role in the public’s quality of life.
5. The county’s long-term fiscal health depends on long-term, prudent, collegial planning and decision making. This legislation is counter to this basic premise.
6. This is a power and land grab that has no fiscal benefits and will not improve efficiency of either county government or parks operation.
7. In your own words, tell them how much you value Montgomery County’s parks.
8. Please vote “No” on Bill MC/PG112-11!

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