AERC has struggled in recent years with trails access on United States Forest Service (USFS) lands. Most recently, we have seen trail restrictions from coast to coast with ride cancellations in California and Texas on USFS land. The American Horse Council has documented problems with trails access on public lands and continues to do so via an online survey (go to the AHC website for a copy or to contribute to the survey).

In 2009, Jerry Fruth and Roger Taylor collaborated with the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to produce a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between AERC and the BLM. An MOU is a nonbinding agreement between two organizations that pledge to cooperate with one another for mutually beneficial goals and activities.

With respect to the BLM MOU, AERC gets to have rides on BLM land and allows BLM personnel to attend Trail Master training classes. Early this year, Roger also developed an MOU with the Santa Fe National Forest near Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Last June, members of the Trails and Land Management Committee met with Jonathan Stephens, trails program manager of the USFS in Washington, D.C., and discussed the possibility of a national MOU between AERC and the USFS. After some negotiating back and forth, the two sides came to an agreement. The AERC Board of Directors approved the MOU and Kathleen Henkel, AERC's executive director, signed it on September 22, 2010. USFS officials signed the document on October 18, 2010.

A synopsis of the agreement is:

1. Collaboration. In this MOU, AERC agrees to work with the FS to identify collaborative opportunities such as trail design and maintenance, educational opportunities, and recreational activities that may take place on FS land and involve FS personnel and land users. AERC will encourage local affiliate organizations to work cooperatively with FS staff in educating its members and the public about our sport, the ethical use of trails, and providing educational materials produced by AERC to FS personnel. AERC will provide the FS with technical assistance whenever possible for equestrian related projects.

2. Cooperation. The FS agreed to also help identify cooperative opportunities with AERC and encourage its local land managers to work with AERC representatives and members on trails projects and educational activities. The FS will consider AERC goals and plans with respect to access to NFS lands for equestrian activities and include AERC in future projects, plans and policy modifications that may impact equestrian activities on NFS trails and trailheads.

The FS is a very decentralized organization. The function of the main FS office in Washington, D.C., is to develop policy for management of our national forests and to work with Congress and the Executive Branch to pass laws and policies that protect our lands but still maximize recreational opportunities for all Americans. Local forest directors and rangers implement those policies and laws in the specific forests for which they have responsibility.

An MOU, such as the one just effected, does not guarantee AERC access whenever and wherever we may wish or for any particular ride. Local land managers have the power and responsibility to implement policy as they see fit. However, our MOU gives AERC credibility with local land managers. It is an indication that AERC is not an irresponsible local group likely to wreak havoc in their realm of responsibility. It is an indication that AERC is a responsible group willing to go through proper channels to obtain rightful access to our forests and that AERC will properly preserve and develop trails for equestrian use.

Most importantly, the MOU is an indication that AERC members wish to work cooperatively with local FS land managers for the benefit of both organizations. It is a signal to local land managers that AERC access to FS trails does not include any selfish or exploitative attitude. Like the FS land managers, AERC wishes to protect this resource as we enjoy it and preserve it for future generations.

This MOU will not force the directors of the El Dorado National Forest or the Sam Houston National Forest or the Davy Crockett National Forest to reinstate rides on those trails. However, it is a sign of the good will of AERC and can open the door to communication and collaboration between AERC members and local FS land managers. Without such good will, the future is bleak indeed for AERC and trails access.

If you are a trail user on FS or BLM lands, send a copy of the appropriate MOU to your local land manager. The MOUs are, or soon will be, available on the AERC website under the Trails selection.