[pct-l] Judge suspends horse packing in national parks(Sequoia-Kings)

[giniajim]

1.  What the heck is the "High Sierra Hikers Assn"???

2.  And I thought equine activities were specifically allowed in wilderness 
areas?  Did I miss something?

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "James A. Streeter" <james8313 at sti.net>
To: <pct-l at backcountry.net>
Sent: Friday, April 06, 2012 12:57 PM
Subject: [pct-l] Judge suspends horse packing in national 
parks(Sequoia-Kings)


> Judge suspends horse packing in national parks
> Says packing in Kings Canyon, Sequoia violates federal law.
> By Marek Warszawski The Fresno Bee Wednesday, Apr. 04, 2012
>
> Horse packing in Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks is on hold
> because a San Francisco judge says the parks are violating the
> federal Wilderness Act.
> The issue percolated for years before exploding last month, leaving
> packers one chance in May to forestall a ban that many say will
> cripple their industry.
>
> Wednesday, Rep. Devin Nunes stoked the fire by blaming the Obama
> administration for caving to environmentalists and not pushing for a
> compromise.
>
> Sequoia & Kings Canyon Superintendent Karen Taylor-Goodrich wrote in
> a March 12 letter to 16 pack stations that no permits would be issued
> until the matter is resolved in federal court.
>
> More than two dozen other businesses that operate within the park are
> also affected. These include back-country trips booked through REI,
> Outward Bound or any other commercial guide services.
>
> A judge has suspended hosre packing in the Sequoia & Kings Canyon
> National Park until a lawsuit is resolved involving the 3-year-old
> lawsuit between the High Sierra Hikers Association and the National
> Park Service.
>
> The park's action came as a shock to pack station owners just as
> their phones are starting to ring from customers interested in
> booking summer trips.
>
> More of this Story --
>
> http://www.fresnobee.com/2012/04/04/2788652/national-parks-horse-packi
> ng-on.html
>
> I will post follow ups as this story continues.
>
> YosemiteJames
> Sierra Foothills
>