Tellico decision

[CandyPants]

SFWDA participated in a conference call today with the USFS and learned that they intend on permanently closing the Upper Tellico OHV System.

The decision will be posted on the North Carolina USFS website soon (National Forests in North Carolina). When it is posted, there will be some detail from the agency about the decision, how it was reached, and what we can do to protest.
My understanding is that there will be a 45 day appeal period, followed by a 45 day period for USFS review. Once that review is complete, the decision will either be upheld or overturned. If upheld, we go into the courts.

SFWDA, BRC and United will have a news release out ASAP detailing our reactions to the decision and our next steps. We will also be asking for everyone to help us with the appeal and to step up the communications to the USFS about the decision (more letter writing, calling elected officials, peaceful protests, etc.).

Sorry this isn't a lot of information, but I haven't seen the documents yet. When I do, I'll post up more about what we need to do.

 

[NGA-FJC]

Thanks Heather.

 

[TeddyBoy]

We need more help to fight!!!!!!! donate money, purchase Raffle Tickets.

 

[CandyPants]

From SFWDA's President...keep up the fight!

October 14, 2009

To All Southern Four Wheel Drive Association Members and Supporters:

The long awaited Forest Service decision concerning the fate of the Upper Tellico OHV Area is now known. In a conversation with Forest Supervisor Marisue Hilliard I was informed of agency’s decision to permanently close this beautiful area. I don’t think anyone is surprised by the decision based on Forest Service’s past comments and published preferred alternative. We are however extremely disappointed in this decision and as I told Marisue during our conversation we believe that they are wrong in making this decision.

From an association stand point, we will handle this professionally and along with Blue Ribbon Coalition and United Four Wheel Drive Associations move forward with the battle to get this area back open. While not the decision we wanted, it is the decision we have been handed and we now know the direction we must follow. More information will be shared over the next few days but I wanted to get this message out to everyone today.

Let RESCUE TELLICO be the battle cry! We have only begun to fight.

Thanks for your support,

Gary Parsons
President
Southern Four Wheel Drive Association

 

[LDowney]

Article from Murphy Paper

The following link is to an article in the Murphy paper on the FS decision to close the area and there will be a minimal economic impact to the surrounding communities. Also, there is a poll is under the index (on the left) if people agree with the FS assumption.

http://cherokeescout.com/articles/2009/10/20/news/doc4ade11732f0f4994576184.txt

 

[BMThiker]

Follow up opinion article from same newspaper:

http://cherokeescout.com/articles/2009/10/21/opinions/doc4ade0c90417d5809410642.txt

seems the locals are a little miffed.

 

[pillguy]

Logging

Another recent article
Logging not a threat to water - The Cherokee Scout - Cherokee County, N.C.'s local newspaper - News

 

[CandyPants]

Another recent article
Logging not a threat to water - The Cherokee Scout - Cherokee County, N.C.'s local newspaper - News

Interesting. They quoted me but I never said what they said I said. Nice.

 

[Hilldweller]

Interesting. They quoted me but I never said what they said I said. Nice.

Odd that they didn't put your "quote" in quotes though...
Creative, no?

 

[BMThiker]

No, creative is the coy placement of these two headlines at the bottom of the page:

No charges will be filed in shooting
Husband, wife team are Citizens of Year




I had to read that one twice before realizing it is two different headlines.

 

[TeddyBoy]

I saw the article and quote. Just another example of bad information out there.

 

[TeddyBoy]

This is what need on all of our trails!

thread for more info: https://forum.ih8mud.com/tlca-land-use/307490-one-person-can-make-difference.html

 

[mpeagan]

But there was a clear cut in the Tellico drainage and it did exhibit signs of recent and past erosion. In fact, the stream down slope had significant sediment deposits and the area was not stabilized byvegetation. Maybe some one with photos of the area should drop them in an email to the newspaper and ask for clarification on logging and its erosive potential.

 

[GarnerFJ40]

Anyone run across this and vouch for its validity?

https://www.fbo.gov/index?s=opportu...&id=9364c749e2ab0a4dcc714116a4645feb&_cview=1

 

[BMThiker]

you and I must be in the same business, since we log onto the FBO site regularly at my office. Good catch on this...downloading docs now and will read through them. For those that don't know, FBO.gov is the website used to bid on any Federally funded contract (from purchasing batteries for flashlights to major construction projects). The link Brian put above is for a Federal contract to "obliterate" the trails of Tellico OHV system.


[edit] just scanning through the drawing set and it appears bad. I cannot say definitively without reading all the specs but they are resculpting sections of each trail where there is a culvert and taking the "road" away. I'm attaching a sample page of the drawing set. You can see a cross section in the inset drawing of what they want to do at each culvert.

 

[71-CRUISER]

I still want to make one last undercover run to School Bus, Helicopter Pad and Guard Rail.

The only real drawback is that they get to keep your truck if they catch you.

 

[4WD School]

The BlueRibbon Coalition, Southern 4WD Association, and United 4WD Associations are aware of this proposal and are working behind the scenes to address it.

 

[TeddyBoy]

I still want to make one last undercover run to School Bus, Helicopter Pad and Guard Rail.

The only real drawback is that they get to keep your truck if they catch you.

You can join Hendog and me, we've had a covert plan run to heli pad for his 50th birthday for quite some time now..

 

[DzlToy]

and this all could have been saved so easily over a year ago....

 

[71-CRUISER]

and this all could have been saved so easily over a year ago....

What could have been saved? Easily?