USFS to permanently close upper Tellico

[SinCityFJC]

From Pirate4x4 - Tellico decision - Page 2 - Pirate4x4.Com Bulletin Board

Tellico decision
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.

 

[SinCityFJC]

RECREATIONAL GROUPS DECRY TELLICO CLOSURE

October 15, 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Greg Mumm, BlueRibbon Coalition
208-244-2112
Jay Bird, Southern Four Wheel Drive Association
757-546-7969

Conservation groups dedicated to active and sustainable management of the Upper Tellico OHV Area expressed deep disappointment with the U.S. Forest Service decision to permanently close the Tellico trails. The decision, which follows an earlier "temporary" closure, was announced in documents published by the USFS yesterday morning.

Gary Parsons, President of the Southern Four Wheel Drive Association, reacted by saying, "The Forest Service is simply wrong in this decision. This public agency has ignored an independent study by Caliber Engineering and the recommendations of its own Trails Unlimited Team, which demonstrated effective management is attainable and offered specific suggestions to achieve that goal."

The agency announcement by Forest Supervisor Marisue Hilliard again parroted the water quality issues long favored by preservationist special interests as the excuse for closure. Jay Bird, Chairman of the Rescue Tellico Committee, noted, "The Tellico River is in excellent shape and complies with all legal requirements. Only through blatant modification of proper methodology, such as measuring turbidity levels during peak runoff, can the Forest Service claim there is legal basis to take any action, let alone closure."

"Sadly, we are not surprised. It now appears the Forest Service knew it would close the Area years ago, and undertook the intervening 'public process' to justify a decision already made," said Greg Mumm, Executive Director of the BlueRibbon Coalition. "We are sorely disappointed that the Forest Service has determined it cannot effectively manage the Upper Tellico OHV Area that users have supported with millions of dollars in fees and thousands of hours of volunteer labor. With our recreational partners, we will evaluate all options that may change that determination."