State Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP)

A federal requirement to receive funding under LWCF,

Land and Water Conservation Fund.

The federal Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) provides matching funds to state for statewide outdoor recreation planning and for acquisition and development of public outdoor recreation areas and facilities. State participation in LWCF requires preparation of a State Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP), and approval of the plan by the National Park Service (NPS).

The LWCF Act requires the SCORP to include the following requirements:

- evaluation of the demand for and supply of outdoor recreation resources and facilities in the state;

- a program for implementation of the plan;

- certification by the Governor that ample opportunity for public participation has taken place in plan development; and

- other necessary information as determined by Secretary of Interior, (NPS).

The minimum requirements of the plan are:

- inclusion of a description of the process and methodology chosen by the state;

- inclusion of ample opportunity for public participation in the planning process, involving all segments of the state’s population;

- comprehensive coverage – it will be considered comprehensive if it:

1. identifies outdoor recreation issues of statewide importance based upon, but not limited to, input from the public participation program. The plan must also identify those issues that the state will address through the LWCF and those issues which may be addressed by other means;

2. evaluates demand or public outdoor recreation preferences, but not necessarily through quantitative statewide surveys or analyses; and

3. evaluates the supply of outdoor recreation resources and facilities, but not necessarily through quantitative statewide inventories.

- inclusion of an implementation program that identifies the state’s strategies, priorities and action for the obligation of its LWCF apportionment. The implementation program must be of sufficient detail to demonstrate that projects submitted to the NPS for LWCF funding implement the plan; and

- inclusion of a wetland priority component consistent with Section 303 of the Emergency Wetlands Resources Act of 1986. At a minimum, the wetlands priority component must:

1. be consistent with the National Wetlands Priority Conservation Plan, prepared by US Fish and Wildlife Service;

2. provide evidence of consultation with the state agency responsible for fish and wildlife resources; and

3. contain a listing of those wetland types which should receive priority for acquisition.

SCORP may consist of a single document or be comprised of multiple documents, as long as LWCF planning guidelines are met.

Summary provided by NPS guidelines.

The Connecticut Horse Council, Inc. Commentary:

March 2004

SCORP Advisory Board

The Connecticut Horse Council, Inc. (CHC) is pleased to provide representation to the SCORP Advisory Board to help develop this plan that could qualify the State of Connecticut for approximately 7 million dollars in federal funding over the next five years.

CHC is in agreement with the SCORP funding vision for projects that support outdoor recreational needs. We also support development of a management plan to include multi-use trails and access to them as one of the key components for future recreational use and growth.

CHC supports an outdoor recreation plan that includes recognition of equine activities in the public sector as well as the private, and would like to see funds used not only for acquisition but for maintenance, access, and awareness of resources available to the public, as highlighted in previous versions of the SCORP.

The three most important issues identified by the equestrian community are the need to acquire land and preserve open space for trails. The need to effectively manage this open space for the public's use including horseback riding. And the need to educate and inform the public of the importance of open space and trails having multi-use designation and universal access whether owned by the state, the towns, the federal government, or the private sector.

CHC is also in agreement with the Advisory Board members who are in favor of land acquisition for outdoor recreation opportunities through land preservation and access. This includes connecting other state agency lands, such as DOT property, to increase access to more outdoor recreational areas.

We also feel potential opportunities exist with the presence of CT Greenways and the CT Forest Resource Plan as part of the SCORP plan.

CHC can provide DEP with data information for the SCORP plan to be used in compiling the report. This could include information from a CT State Equine Study done by the University of Conn., national data from the American Horse Council, and Equestrian Land Conservation Resource information.

The following comments are regarding the last SCORP Advisory Committee meeting of March 1, 2004.

At this meeting the committee was asked to review the Potential SCORP Goals and related discussion points. Connecticut Horse Council (CHC) offers the following comments to the SCORP Board for inclusion in the SCORP goals:

1) Respond to the demands of Connecticut's changing population and Recreational Trends:

· Existing use patterns/trends:

CHC asks that the SCORP acknowledge the presence of equestrians on trails as historic use and a legitimate user group on existing and new public land trails and Greenways.

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· Forecast needs of changing population/demographics

As development of land continues, we see many of our trails lost at an alarming rate, and an increasing need for public lands as a viable source for trail riding. There is a need to change state and local policies and spending priorities to ensure that trail systems will accommodate all trail users.

· Emerging recreational trends-kayaking, mountain biking, ATV use, rollerblading - changes in equipment, longer seasons, reaching into remote locations

Emerging recreational activities such as rollerblading and bicycling require a paved surface and all too often, natural surfaces are eliminated from the design of developing existing and new trails. Equestrian access and rights to trails should remain a priority rather than to eliminate a historic user group by providing pavement while excluding horses from trails and Greenway access.

2) Acquire and preserve open space lands for recreational and natural resource protection

· Relationships and roles of state vs. municipalities in providing outdoor recreation

CHC has also addressed the CT Statewide Forest Draft Resource plan (enclosed) in recommending the priority action steps include; expansion of our forests, public lands, and open spaces, especially to close the gaps of fragmentation and to provide natural resource protection.

· Linkages to healthy life styles

The Equestrian Trail Community is united in the preservation of our American heritage

and in the conservation of natural and cultural resources. Thus, we are committed to

stewardship of the lands we use by fostering land ethics that harmonize the relationship

between equestrians and these lands. Caring for and riding such livestock has always been

recognized as a stress reducer, creating harmony and balance with nature, while enhancing

positive relationships among family activities, equestrians, and other trail users.

3) Ensure public accessibility to open space lands for outdoor recreation

· Recreational needs

· Greenways/green space linkages/multiple use/trail system

· Infrastructure needs

· Proximity to urban/population centers

· Coastal and boating access points

· ADA urban populations, aged citizens

There is a great need for consistent multiple use guidelines for state and local policies to ensure that Open Space Lands and Trail/Greenways planners accommodate all trail users. Without this consistency, equestrians and other trail user groups may be excluded from open spaces and trails and be forced to exit trails after short distances due to discrepancies in local regulations. Without central coordination, gaps in linkage occur and recreational opportunities are lost. The foresight of the SCORP Advisory Board can provide these guidelines for the SCORP to ensure open spaces and trail systems to accommodate all trail users with safety in mind for all everyone.

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4) Encourage and enhance partnering opportunities to achieve Connecticut's Outdoor recreational goals

· Municipal/State/Private relationships

· Land trusts/Advocacy groups

· Examples/models of success (Friends groups, corporate sponsorships)

As stated in the CT Statewide Forest Resource Draft: "Cooperation between different sectors including the government, Municipal/State/Private relationships will result in participation by all of society in developing and implementing public policy. Long term comprehensive planning for state owned land occurs in collaboration with Connecticut's citizens and local government." CHC is in agreement with this statement and believes that the Resource Plan and SCORP can be drafted to address consistency in state and local policies.

A recent example of a model of success is with the Department of Environmental Protection. The CT Horse Council along with the DEP established a Volunteer Horse Patrol (VHP) as a pilot program in several State Forests. The goal of the program is to foster public user stewardship, educate and promote public involvement with the equestrian community as well as provide helpful visitor contacts while on patrol. The Patrol helps maintain the multi-use trails in these forests including collecting data of the condition of the trails, possible erosion, and monitoring the use of the trails. In 7 months the VHP reported over 680 hours of patrol and trail maintenance.

CHC is now in the process of expanding the program to other forests & parks, along with working with the National Park Service in establishing the Metacomet-Mattabesett Trail System as a National Scenic Trail for varied users. We are collecting data on the conditions of the terrain for inclusion of equestrian use wherever possible and where the trail system may link to other multi-use trails.

Enclosed is a letter from the Governor's Connecticut Greenways Council supporting full multiple use trails and a booklet published by the Equestrian Land Conservation Resource on the "Equestrian Economic Impact Analysis: How Your Community Benefits". A statement taken from this booklet that is representative of the type of data CHC could provide to DEP for the SCORP plan.

“According to a study performed by The American Horse Council there are more than

6.9 million horses in the United States, including horses for both recreational and commercial use. Racing and race horse breeding account for 725,000 of those horses, and 4,944,000 participate in showing and recreational activities while another 1,262,000 are used in farm or ranch work, police work, rodeo and polo.

There are over 7.1 million Americans involved with those horses as owners, breeders, riders, veterinarians, support service providers (blacksmiths, feed dealers, barn builders / sellers, horse trailer builders / sellers, not to mention writers, editors, television and print advertising agencies, etc.

This translates to - one in every 35 Americans being involved with horses.”

In closing, the Connecticut Horse Council applauds the efforts and work of the SCORP Advisory Board in developing a plan that will enhance the quality of life and recreation in the State of Connecticut. The Council offers equestrian representation to provide education, technical and advisory assistance to the plan.

Respectfully submitted by The Connecticut Horse Council, Inc.

Diane Ciano, Trails Chair and Jan Collins

Enclosures