HR1269 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1269 LRB099 21975 GRL 49042 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, All-terrain vehicles are used by many Americans for recreation and work-related activities; and

WHEREAS, Many national forests and recreational areas, including Hiawatha National Forest, Huron-Manistee National Forest, and Ottawa National Forest in Michigan, Land Between the Lakes in Kentucky, Cherokee National Forest in Tennessee, Wayne National Forest in Ohio, and Allegheny National Forest in Pennsylvania, allow the use of all-terrain vehicles on forest trails; and

WHEREAS, Currently, the use of all-terrain vehicles in Shawnee National Forest is only available through a disability permit program; and

WHEREAS, Shawnee National Forest features numerous areas for riding horses, including the Burden Fall Wilderness, the Camp Cadiz Campground, One Horse Gap Lake, the Bald Knob Cross Trail, the Johnson Creek Recreation Area, the Kinkaid Lake Trail System, the Little Grand Canyon, and the Panther Den Wilderness, but many members of the public have expressed their wish to have greater opportunities for horse riding within Shawnee National Forest; and

WHEREAS, The creation of trails for the general use of all-terrain vehicles in Shawnee National Forest and the expansion of horse trails in the national forest would generate large amounts of State revenue and prove to be a boon for tourism for Shawnee National Forest, southern Illinois, and the State at large; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we urge the United States Forest Service to allow the use of all-terrain vehicles in Shawnee National Forest, expand the existing system of horse trails, and explore additional ways to allow greater recreational use of Shawnee National Forest for the recreational and economic benefit of the citizens of the State of Illinois; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be delivered to Thomas L. Tidwell, Chief of the United States Forest Service.