********OTMT August 13-16 2015 Tellico*********

[BMThiker]

We did see a few truckfuls of timber leave the park the first night we were there. Heather pointed out that it probably has more to do with erosion control BMPs than anything else. Seems weird that they can shut them down so quickly without much fanfare.

 

[CharlestonG8R]

Man, that was fast! How in the world is that even possible?!?! Freaking sucks, that was a cool little place with a lot of potential.

 

[jynx]

Erosion control is a maybe, but what bothers me about that answer is that generally the timber companies get a pass on that stuff. Probably not, but around here you could fool me. I've seen loggers lay waste to a stand of trees and never see the first erosion control measure. If that is their out, then to me it is a very thin line they are tugging on.

Whatever environmental group had a hard on for the old park obviously has decided they have a new interest to bring down.

 

[scott johnson]

And poof.... It's gone!

Durhamtown Tellico Trails Will Close September 8th

 

[Sputnik40]

That is just disheartening - attending OTMT and being near to Durhamtown was part of the catalyst in my decision to relocate my FJ40 up to my parents property permanantly (that and it'll be easier to attend GTSMTR again). To have spent two weeks completely prepping/repainting my car trailer, loading the 40 and a bunch of spare Land Rover parts (sans camping gear), and then getting to wheel just a few of the trails just makes it all the more painful. I mean damn - it is "now" stored less than an hour away, I had planned to wheel there whenever we where up visiting my parents.

While I'm not 100% on exactly what rules/laws are being cited, I'd like to have a few more specifics - not that it's likely to matter.

I'd venture to guess that there was an exemption from certain erosion control rules for mining, timber harvesting, agriculture, etc. and someone (or State regulators) put together some sort of evidence to undermine the exemption. Whether it was irrefutable (doubtful), lack of fair and reasonable administrative appeals, or that those were exhausted is the story/background I'm looking forward to seeing. For this to drop out of thin air just doesn't smell right. Also potential to run afoul of property tax exemptions for agricultural (e.g. timber) lands - not sure how that works in NC.

As with anything, there are typically a lot of rules - if anyone has anymore details, do post up - it's not worth researching/speculating until then....

NCDENR - Erosion and Sediment Control
NCDENR - NC E&SC Manual

Guess I may take this spare FJ40 tub down in Florida and fix Betty up for use in exploring backroads, etc. as there just isn't going to be anything left worth wheeling....least legally.

 

[BMThiker]

As I understand the situation Durhamtown mgmt doesn't own the land but signed a (long) term lease to run the OHV park. I'm sure a good chunk of day use fees went towards paying the monthly lease costs. So that means the original Snowbird members still own the property. It will probably revert back to a membership situation again. I know a few folks were members back before it was an OHV park, like Rob Theuer and Steve Springs. Memberships were somewhere around $1K a year iirc and you could bring up to 10 friends with you at an agreed upon rate of $25/person or vehicle.

 

[DSLTOY]

I hope they can keep it open, Snowbird Angles club flew under the radar, now that the place has been targeted it may be more difficult for it to reopen.

 

[BMThiker]

So here's some funny timing. I got this email survey this morning.

 

[Trollhole]

lol. . Kinda sad.

 

[CharlestonG8R]

That whole situation stinks... Where do you think OTMT 2015 will be held? Any reason we can't use Wind Rock?

 

[Teddy]

That whole situation stinks... Where do you think OTMT 2015 will be held? Any reason we can't use Wind Rock?

We've briefly talked about it Jeremy. My only fear is that people won't travel there again right after GSMTR. But, it's a possibility. I thought about Gulches too, but that's a day trip at best and not really set up for a weekend event IMO.

 

[dmark84]

What if one of us joins the Snowbird club (if that's still a thing) and then we could at least get 10 trucks up there.

 

[the gimpey one]

It's mucho dinero per member. Would probably need 3 paid members.

 

[Teddy]

What if one of us joins the Snowbird club (if that's still a thing) and then we could at least get 10 trucks up there.

I thought about that too, and it'd be great for weekend trips with the club, but not so much for a big time event.