Parts of Shawnee Forest Face Group Limits ....



HARRISBURG -- Hiking groups of more than ten people are now subject to fines in some areas of the Shawnee National Forest. The rule's been in effect for a year now, but many people may not know about it.

The restriction covers the Lusk Creek, Bay Creek, and Garden of the Gods wilderness areas. Saline County Tourism Chairman John O'Dell was among a 27-person hiking group fined $375 months after a hiking trip last November. They believe forest officials found a picture of the hikers online.

Shawnee Forest officials say when it comes to congressionally designated wilderness areas, the more the merrier does not apply. Public Affairs officer Becky Banker says almost one year ago the rule was made to allow no more than ten people in a single group in any of these areas.

"We have an obligation to protect wilderness character and wilderness values and to provide opportunities for solitude," says Banker. She says before the rule took effect, a public comment period revealed the peoples' desire to maintain the forest's peaceful quality.

John O'Dell says he and his group were aware of the restriction, but were just passing through. Months later, he faces a $375 fine.

"There's a range of fines associated with those class B misdemeanors," says Banker.

Banker says Shawnee Forest officers can assess fines from $350 to $1,000 dollars at their discretion... "Each person that would be in the group would be subject to a citation."

If those accused choose to take their case to court, Banker says a judge's maximum penalty would be a $5,000 fine or 6 months in prison. Banker says larger groups are encouraged to visit other parts of the forest, but she says solitude in some areas should be respected.

"Not only is there a statutory requirement for that, but that really is the essence of what wilderness is all about to begin with," says Banker.

The Shawnee Forest is also proposing user fees at eight recreation sites-- along with bridle tag fees on designated trails. The public comment period was scheduled to wrap-up Tuesday, but was extended to June 30th.

By: Emily Eddington
eeddington@wsiltv.com

Horse camp cited with not renewing permit on time
By Brian DeNeal, Staff Writer


EDDYVILLE - The unofficial horse riding season in the Shawnee National Forest began April 1 and forest law enforcement officials have been patroling the forest looking for violations.

Bear Branch Campground received a citation Monday for operating without an outfitter/guide permit that has been required for the past two years. Campground owner Dick Manders says he was not intending to violate the law and that his perrmit application is now in the Forest Service's hands.

"I got the ticket Monday afternoon and all the paperwork was at the Forest Service Monday morning. But it wasn't there April 1," Manders said.

Manders believes his camp was being targeted. He observed Saturday forest law enforcement watching horse riders riding out of his campground on his private land, probably intending to ride onto the forest, he said.

"One other camp also didn't get its paperwork in, but they got a pass. I'm going to go to court. They definitely were after me and nobody else," he said.

Forest Service spokeswoman Becky Banker said Bear Branch and one other campground were the only camps that failed to renew their permits that expired March 31.

"One other campground did not have a permit. (Forest law enforcement) did not run into anybody who came off that campground," Banker said.

Manders said if he pays the fine now it is $1,000. In the court the fine is determined by the court which is a maximum of $5,000 and/or six months in jail, Banker said.


Manders said the situation was a case of poor timing. His first riders of the season were in Saturday and he had intended to take his permit application to the office Friday. He said he was delayed by the construction on the bridges at the Saline River Lower Fork and the Forest Service Supervisors Office was closed when he arrived.

Manders said he has been occupied with trying to clean up damage from the February ice storm in time for the beginning of riding season and said the permit applications sent to him were bungled. He received the application intended for Circle B Campground.

"We had to change all the numbers. Then the letter said it was $90 and it was supposed to be $95. (The Forest Service) said they would send out new letters," Manders said.

He never received the new letter that he expected would have been a reminder to him.

"Also the permit said we were supposed to have maps, but, as they do every year, the maps aren't done," Manders said.

He said riders are wary about riding without the current trail maps from the Forest Service that show which trails are open and which are closed as part of the on-going Trail Designation Project of trail construction and eradication. Last year's maps are inaccurate and if used could make riders liable for citations.

"The west trails have moved," Manders said.

Manders said his clients will continue to ride this week.

"We have people here who have traveled hundreds of miles and they're riding. It's not their fault I didn't get the permit in time," he said.

Though Manders intends to be fully compliant with the forest rules, the citation has soured him on volunteering for the Forest Service.

"We're supposed to be partners with the Forest Service. I've logged hundreds of hours working for the Forest Service," Manders said.

He has used his tractor and donated the use of the Shawnee Trail Conservancy wagon for trail work, but he believes he is finished doing favors for the agency.

"I'm done working with the Forest Service, unfortunately. I've worked for 10 years on the trails, too," he said.

Banker said law enforcement officers over the weekend encountered a group of horse riders in excess of the 10-person group limit that is in place in Lusk Creek, Garden of the Gods and Bay Creek wilderness areas.

"Charges are pending. There have been no citations issued at this time," Banker said.

The Forest Service has also charged River to River Trail Society Chairman and Saline County Tourism Board Chairman John O'Dell with violating the 10-person group size limit, accusing him of leading a group of 28 hikers into Lusk Creek Wilderness Area Nov. 3, 2007, based on a photograph of a hiking group discovered on the Internet.

- DeNeal receives e-mail at bdeneal@yourclearwave.com.