Public Act 096-0985
 
SB2632 Enrolled LRB096 19606 DRJ 35000 b

    AN ACT concerning public land.
 
    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
represented in the General Assembly:
 
    Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Public
Land Pack and Saddle Animal Access Act.
 
    Section 5. Definitions. In this Act:
    "Pack animal" means a beast of burden, such as a horse,
mule, donkey, or llama, used as a means of transporting
materials.
    "Public land" means land that is open to the general public
and is owned or managed by the State.
    "Saddle animal" means an animal, such as a horse, that is
ridden.
 
    Section 10. Access to public land. In maintaining public
land, the Department of Natural Resources, or other designated
agency, shall preserve and facilitate continued use of and
access to public land by pack and saddle animals where such use
is currently authorized.
 
    Section 15. Trail closure.
    (a) The Department of Natural Resources, or other
designated agency, may implement a reduction in access to a
trail by pack and saddle animals under the following
conditions:
        (1) where conditions are not suitable because of
    significant public safety concerns or where necessary for
    maintenance; or
        (2) for reasons related to the mission of the
    Department of Natural Resources or other designated
    agency.
    (b) If a trail closure or other reduction is implemented
under this Section, such closure or reduction shall be posted
at the trailhead.
    (c) Nothing in this Section alters or limits the State's
authority to implement a temporary emergency closure of a trail
or road to pack and saddle animals.