Save Tellico

[DSLTOY]

For those that have missed the Save Tellico thread in Land Use,Trout Unlimited and some other tree huggers are threatening to sue the Forest service under the clean water act if they don't shut down the Tellico OHV Area.

The UFWDA Attorney believes that our the legal fee's could be as high as $200,000 and the Forest Service estimates ,that due to lack of funds over the years, they are $250,000 behind on trail maintenance and are asking SFWDA to help restore the area.

Please help keep Tellico Open, the SFWDA has formed a "Rescue Tellico" committee that will do fund raising, PR, Legal, trail maintenence, and will monitor the science of what is going on out there.
The official name of this effort is "Rescue Tellico" and we have a "Rescue Tellico Fund." The PayPal link is open http://www.sfwda.org/trails/tellico/donate.html)

Thank You

 

[76FJ40]

Thanks Roger

 

[DSLTOY]

The Forest Service is proposing closing trails lower2,7 and 9 for a year to eveluate them and implementing a winter closure. See land use section for details. This is serious as out past experience has shown that trails closed never reopen.

 

[LandCruisers4Life]

That's one of the most ridiculous things I have ever heard.

In Texas at a state park called "Enchanted Rock" near Fredericksburg Texas they claimed that certain types of hiking boot soles were 'causing undue errosion'. That's pink feldspar GRANITE up there. Know how many pairs of $150 boots I wore out from the errosion to them caused by that granite?!!

Fiddlesticks! Keep wheeling. If they close it down, stage a protest and march on Washington. This country is getting out of hand!

 

[lordVader]

That's one of the most ridiculous things I have ever heard.

In Texas at a state park called "Enchanted Rock" near Fredericksburg Texas they claimed that certain types of hiking boot soles were 'causing undue errosion'. That's pink feldspar GRANITE up there. Know how many pairs of $150 boots I wore out from the errosion to them caused by that granite?!!

Fiddlesticks! Keep wheeling. If they close it down, stage a protest and march on Washington. This country is getting out of hand!

tell me about it. just insane. pretty soon we are all going to have to trek to the middle east or australia to go offroading

 

[DSLTOY]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
Greg Mumm 208-244-2112
Carla Boucher 757-546-7969

NATIONAL RECREATION ATTORNEYS TEAM UP FOR RESCUE TELLICO

BlueRibbon Coalition (BRC) and United Four Wheel Drive Associations (UFWDA) are teaming up with their nationally recognized attorneys in the fight for project “Rescue Tellico.” This alliance amongst the groups and their attorneys, in cooperation with Southern Four Wheel Drive Association, is an historic undertaking. The groups will consolidate their efforts, bringing together their collective expertise, resources, and other strengths derived from their grassroots memberships. Collectively BRC and UFWDA represent over half a million recreationists committed to responsible and sustainable vehicle-based recreation on public lands.

“BRC and UFWDA have worked together on other access protection lawsuits in the past, but this effort combines our attorneys and resources into a single litigation team”, stated Greg Mumm, BRC’s Executive Director. “Unlike past efforts to support each other in various endeavors, this new alliance actually unifies the work of both law offices and the organizations of BRC and UFWDA into a single presence”, stated Wayne Groom, President of UFWDA.

Rescue Tellico is a program to protect off-highway vehicle (OHV) access in the Upper Tellico OHV Area located in North Carolina, a premiere OHV destination throughout the Eastern Seaboard and Southern U.S.

# # # # #

UFWDA is the world’s leading association of all-brand four wheel drive enthusiasts, protecting, promoting, and providing for 4x4 recreation opportunities across the globe. 1- 800-44-UFWDA. United Four Wheel Drive Associations Official Site - United Online - An International Organization. An International Organization, P.O. Box 15696, Chesapeake, VA 23328, (757) 546-7969

The BlueRibbon Coalition is a national recreation group that champions responsible use of public and private lands, and encourages individual environmental stewardship. It represents over 10,000 individual members and 1,200 organization and business members, for a combined total of over 600,000 recreationists nationwide. 1-800-258- 3742. BlueRibbon Coalition: Preserving your recreational access to public lands., 4555 Burley Drive, Suite A, Pocatello, ID 83202-1921 (208) 237-1008

Southern Four Wheel Drive Association (SFWDA) was founded in 1987 to promote responsible land use and to keep public lands accessible for motorized recreation. Since the formation of Southern Four Wheel Drive Association, the focus and mission is to promote responsible land use and to help keep public lands open for motorized recreation. For more information on the activities and accomplishments of Southern Four Wheel Drive Association, please visit Southern 4WD Association or contact us at 1483 N. Mt. Juliet Road, PMB # 222, Mt. Juliet, TN 37122

 

[chattfj40]

Just to update everyone, the Lawsuit has been filed and the USFS has 60 days to respond. We'll post updates here as things progress. Please contact me if you want to get involved. SFWDA should have the official release out soon

 

[chattfj40]

Rescue Tellico
Save Tellico Now
Before There Is Nothing Left To Save

​

SFWDA, UFWDA, BRC files Law Suit

On Thursday, May 22, 2008, The Southern Four Wheel Drive Association (SFWDA) along with United Four Wheel Drive Associations (UFWDA) and the Blue Ribbon Coalition (BRC) filed suit in US District Court Western District of North Carolina against the US Forest Service to restore access to improperly closed off-highway recreation trails located in the Upper Tellico Off-highway Vehicle (OHV) Area in North Carolina.

A Little Background

On June 28, 2007, Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC) filed a "notice of intent to sue" the USFS on behalf of the North Carolina and Tennessee Councils of Trout Unlimited, as well as Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility and the Southern Appalachian Biodiversity Project. SELC’s threat demanded that the Forest Service permanently close trails, and seasonally close the entire system.

Caving under the pressure of SELC and TU, the Forest Service announced on December 18, 2007 there would be a seasonal closure of the entire trail system and Trails Lower 2, 7, and 9 would be closed for a year to assess the condition of the trails to see what needs to be done.

Closing trails does not address the issues and SFWDA feels that the Forest Service took steps that are not correct. This lawsuit is intended to reopen the trails that were improperly closed.

SFWDA has worked with the US Forest Service in the Tellico OHV area for over 20 years, providing free maintenance and restoration work to address the agency-wide maintenance backlog estimated nationwide at over $100 billion. The trail maintance, clean up, and volunteer work we have donated to the area is well over $100,000 just in the past few years. SFWDA values the relationship we have with the US Forest Service and plan to continue the work, volunteering and cleaning up as we’ve done in the past.

What are the effects of the closures?

The impact of closing the trails has greatly wounded the economy in the area. Not only are there fewer places to ride in the Upper Tellico area, but local businesses have felt the impact. Cabin Rentals, Campgrounds, parts stores have all seen a decrease in business. Outside of the impact to the economy, this act sets a precedent for large special interest groups to bully our government to preferentially close access to public land to one user group.

What you can do

Frankly, law suits are not cheap. We need your donations. You can donate online at www.SFWDA.org or Tax deductable at www.sharetrails.org/rescue-tellico or donate tax deductable through the United Land Action Fund at P.O. Box 15696, Chesapeake, VA 23328. You can purchase Rescue Tellico Items at www.cafepress.com/rescuetellico. All proceeds are donated to the Rescue Tellico Fund.

At the very least we need your membership. If you are not a member of any or all the below mentioned groups we need you. Please join us so that you can have your voice counted in unison with ours. If you have always wondered, what does my membership get me, here is your answer. SFWDA, UFWDA, and BRC are fighting to keep trails open so we have places to ride.

Please spread the word. This is not only a 4x4 problem but ATV, Motorcycle and UTV’s are affected as well.

Who’s Who

The Blue Ribbon Coalition is a national recreation group that champions responsible use of public and private lands, and encourages individual environmental stewardship. It represents over 10,000 individual members and 1,200 organization and business members, for a combined total of over 600,000 recreationists nationwide. 1-800-258-3742. www.sharetrails.org

United Four Wheel Drive Association is an international organization comprised of four wheel drive enthusiasts, clubs, associations, and businesses dedicated to providing community services around the world, education in responsible land use and safe vehicle operation, and protection of our natural resources through conservation practices. 1-800-448-3932. www.ufwda.org

Southern Four Wheel Drive Association (SFWDA) was founded in 1987 to promote responsible land use and to keep public lands accessible for motorized recreation. Since the formation of Southern Four Wheel Drive Association, the focus and mission is to promote responsible land use and to help keep public lands open for motorized recreation. For more information on the activities and accomplishments of Southern Four Wheel Drive Association, please visit www.sfwda.org or contact us at 1483 N. Mt. Juliet Road, PMB # 222, Mt. Juliet, TN 37122

 

[9ersgirl]

Todd,

Thanks for posting this up! It is extremely important for us to fight to keep the trails we already have open!

Amanda Cottrell
UFWDA Administrative Officer

 

[DSLTOY]

Presidents Corner
By Gary Parsons

The Upper Tellico OHV Area is NOT Closed!

There seems to be a perception that is spreading throughout the four wheel drive recreation community that the Upper Tellico OHV Area is closed. That perception is not correct. Currently the only trails closed are Lower 2, Trail 7, Trail 9 and a portion of Trail 8 with the remainder of the trails being open. There is a winter seasonal closure but this only affects the winter months.

Proposed actions by the Forest Service published in the scoping letter (which SFWDA is countering) would affect more trails but these are as stated “proposed actions” that are not in effect. This is not to say that we can rest on our laurels however. The risk is still there and we must continue with the Rescue Tellico efforts and maintain our stance for what we believe in. I have stated before and will state again that as an association our commitment to this effort is unwavering but it takes all of us to make it happen. Southern Four Wheel Drive Association, United Four Wheel Drive Associations, and Blue Ribbon Coalition are united in this effort but once again it takes all of us.

Dixie Run registration is on the SFWDA web site (Southern 4WD Association). The event is the premier four wheel drive event east of the Mississippi and if you are not aware is held in the Upper Tellico Area. It is great time for everyone and helps support the Southern Four Drive Association efforts with the public lands we support. If you have not attended the Dixie Run and have been on the fence about coming, please come check it out. I think you will have a good time. If you planning to attend, we will see you there and thank you in advance for putting this event into your busy calendar. As I wrote in a previous Presidents Corner, it truly is the “Dixie Run Experience”.

In closing: The UPPER TELLICO AREA IS NOT CLOSED! Only the trails mentioned at the beginning of this article are closed. Go ride, support and enjoy this beautiful area. Also, we ask that you help us pass this message along.

See you there,
Gary

RESCUE TELLICO!

 

[informationjunky]

Tellico - TTORA Forum

 

[DropBearInDisguise]

tell me about it. just insane. pretty soon we are all going to have to trek to the middle east or australia to go offroading

Head down under least you get shot at a bit less

 

[chattfj40]

<from DSLTOY (Roger Theurer---SFWDA Vice Pres>
The Forest Service has announced they will release the EA on Friday Feb.27. The have set up a meeting with the interested party representatives on Friday morning in Murphy NC, I and several members of the SFWDA Rescue Tellico Committee will attend. The FS plans to discuss their preferred alternative and their plans for the OHV area until a final decision is made.

Late last year SFWDA contracted a private Environmental Engineering firm to do a study of Tellico and the trails. They did both scientific studies to check water quality , habitat and engineering studies to propose the required repairs to the trails. Their data shows that the streams are in good condition and they believe all the trails are repairable, We will present this report the FS on Friday and incorporate the findings in our response to the EA. The report will be available on the SFWDA website on Wednesday.

Once we have reviewed the report and decide on our best response we will be asking all of you to send letters the the FS.

<from ChattFJ40>
Here's the study that SFWDA association commissioned on Tellico. It was release to the pubic today. Please take a few minutes to look it over. Its pretty in-depth and not a quick read, but there is an executive summary that begins on page 6.

Tellico Study

<from the SFWDA website>

FYI - This scientific study, which looks at water quality in the Tellico watershed (which is the basis of the Trout Unlimited Notice of Intent (NOI) to sue the USFS), is the direct result of efforts by the SFWDA Rescue Tellico Committee, Blue Ribbon Coalition, United Four Wheel Drive Associations and YOUR DONATIONS TO SFWDA.

SFWDA has been working quietly with lawyers, scientists and engineers to counter the baseless and unscientific emotional accusations made by Trout Unlimited and the Southern Environmental Law Center. We have the FACTS and the SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE to prove that the water quality in the Tellico River Watershed is NOT being damaged by the OHV Area, and in fact meets or exceeds state and national requirements in nearly all areas, and the areas that are not meeting requirements appear directly attributable to other factors besides the OHV Area.

 

[chattfj40]

The BlueRibbon Coalition is a national recreation group that champions
responsible use of public lands and waters, and encourages individual
environmental stewardship. It represents of 10,000 individual, business,
and organizational members for a combined total of over 600,000
recreationists nationwide. 1-800-258-3742 BlueRibbon Coalition: Preserving your recreational access to public lands.


BRC Critical Action Alert -- THEY WANT TO CLOSE TELLICO!

You MUST take action to save Tellico NOW!

Today the Southern Four Wheel Drive Association (SFWDA) met with the USDA
Forest Service (USFS) and heard a presentation on what will be in their
Environmental Assessment (EA). While they have 7 alternatives that they are
considering, their preferred alternative is to CLOSE TELLICO. While we know
that this is completely unacceptable and will cause immediate and intense
emotional reaction, we are asking that everyone maintain a level head and
concentrate on what our task is now.

STEP 1: The USFS Forest Supervisor issued a TEMPORARY CLOSURE ORDER that
will keep Tellico closed until they decide what the fate of the area will
be. This means that TELLICO WILL NOT REOPEN ON APRIL 1ST! Please read the
order here:
http://www.cs.unca.edu/nfsnc/nepa/tusquitee/tellico/temporary_closure.pdf
and provide comments to the temporary closure. Be sure to talk about all
the plans you have to use the area and all the events that are already
scheduled and that you have paid to attend. We MUST NOT LET THIS HAPPEN!

STEP 2: We must, at all costs, provide as many SUBSTANTIVE comments about
the EA as humanly possible. And we are ready. SFWDA requests that you
download the study that we commissioned
(Recommended Trail System Repair and Maintenance Plan Upper Tellico OHV System ) and that you download the
USFS EA which is posted here
(Upper Tellico OHV Area ) and that
you compare the two side by side and start making comments. Our study will
give you the data that you need to make comments about the surveys that have
been done, the lack of maintenance they USFS has completed, the science, the
engineering, the economics, EVERYTHING.

We will work to have a letter generator up, but honestly, we need for you to
take pencil to paper and think this through. Copy this announcement and
send it to your friends, family, and everyone you know.

STEP 3: The other thing we need, and you know what it coming, is money. In
this tough economic time, it's hard to find a few dollars to support a
cause, but if you enjoy the Tellico area, or even the dying sport of OHV and
4X4 recreation, please consider a donation to Rescue Tellico so that we may
continue to fight for Tellico.
Rescue Tellico Fund

STEP 4: In an effort to show that we will not accept these actions,
Crawford's Campground is committing to continue on with the plans for Spring
Fling on April 4th. Please consider attending and showing your support and
helping to raise money for Rescue Tellico.

So you know, SFWDA is working very closely with United Four Wheel Drive
Associations (UFWDA) and the BlueRibbon Coalition to review these documents.
BE ASSURED that the lawyers will be reviewing all of these documents in
detail and that we are all ready to take whatever action is warranted to
further the fight to KEEP TELLICO OPEN!

Thanks you for your help,

SFWDA, UFWDA, and BRC

 

[chattfj40]

The Forest Service issued a 2 year temporary closure order for Tellico. SFWDA will have a news release out soon followed by legal action. The comment period on the EA is up, but we still need everyone to keep the pressure on their elected officals.

Here's the info from the USFS

Upper Tellico OHV Area