Feds Must Show Impact of Horses in Sierra Nevada

[The Straight Story]

Feds Must Show Impact of Horses in Sierra Nevada

SAN FRANCISCO (CN) - The National Park Service did not properly study how horses and mules affect California's Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, a federal judge ruled.

The environmental group High Sierra Hikers Association challenged the agency's management plan for the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks in a 2009 federal lawsuit, saying the plan did not make detailed findings about the environmental impacts of stock animals.

"Commercial outfitters run pack and saddle stock (i.e. horses and mules) throughout the parks, where the animals continue to trample soils, pollute the water, and provoke numerous complaints from park visitors," the complaint said.

U.S. District Judge Richard Seeborg found Tuesday that the National Parks Service violated the Wilderness Act.

http://www.courthousenews.com/2012/01/27/43411.htm

[newfie11]

1. well horses leave behind fertilizer

They are on trails. Hikers can make their own trails if manure bothers them in the wilderness. Look out for deer poop too.

[bahrbearian]

2. Thats why I use Pack Goats