Area horse-riding clubs have been evicted from the public lands after clearing more than 12 miles of trails, and state Division of Natural Resources officials admit they stepped in it.
"We're just really sorry for the miscommunication," DNR spokesman Hoy Murphy said. "This has been a wake-up call for us."
Robert Beanblossom, district administrator for DNR's Parks and Recreation Section, said, "We should have cleared that with (the) Wildlife (Section) first ... We have tried to use this as a learning experience."
Delegate Mary Pearl Compton, D-Monroe, said 18,000 acres ought to be enough room for wildlife, hunters, anglers and horseback riders to peacefully co-exist. "This whole thing was mishandled, and it should never have happened."
Charles and Brenda Lester of Ballard are founding members of the Cherokee Trail Riders horse club. Last year, they wrote Parks and Recreation officials to request adopting trails in Bluestone Wildlife Management Area at Barton Ridge, Buffalo Creek, Red Sulphur Turnpike and Cherokee Falls.
State parks officials granted them a written permit to cut and maintain the four trails for horseback riding. A dozen members worked nine- and 10-hour days opening the trails, which still had a lot of debris from Hurricane Hugo. Members used their own tools, equipment, tractors and gasoline to clear about 13 1/2 miles. Each time they rode, they carried out their own litter and what others had cast aside.
To respect the rights of campers, they mowed adjacent grasslands for tie lines to keep horses and manure from degrading campsites during overnight rides. Members of the Buckhorn Trail Riders and Mountaineer Trail Riders in Princeton joined the Cherokee club. Horse enthusiasts from Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina came north for benefit rides to support various causes. A cut of the proceeds was given to state agencies for hosting the rides on public land.