You Must Take Action to Save Tellico...NOW!

[CandyPants]

Today the SFWDA met with the USFS and heard a presentation on what will be in their Environmental Assessment. While they have 6 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 FS 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 FS’ 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 FS 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 U4WDA and 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!

Thank you for your help!!!
SFWDA, UFWDA, and BRC

 

[CandyPants]

TTT. Anyone out there?

 

[boombapslappy]

Too busy "taking action" to post on mud.

Now's the time to write your letters, send emails and make phone calls! I've written a letter. The wife will too. As well as a buddy of mine who only drives a civic---because he believes in freedom and liberty...

 

[BMThiker]

a nice summary can be found at JcrOffroad, Inc.

JcrOffroad have summarized a few points below and a summary of the FS's EA - the 4 page PDF indicated.


While the Tellico OHV Environmental Assessment (EA) released in Feb 2009 is a lengthy read, it’s important to understand all of the issues facing the likely changes in the Tellico OHV system. It can be found in its entirety here:
http://www.cs.unca.edu/nfsnc/nepa/tusquitee/tellico/tellico_ea.pdf

The SFWDA did an independent study; this was contracted to Caliber Engineering Consultants. This report brings up many contradictory facts and figures when compared to the Forest Service report. The full SFWDA report can be found:
http://www.sfwda.org/trails/tellico/study09/CaliberMain.pdf

We realize that these two reports are very lengthy reads, and while we would love for you to read them both, we have summarized the 6 Alternatives for the Tellico OHV system as given by the USFS. It is very important that you understand these alternative before you voice your concerns.

Our 4 page summary can be found here:
http://www.jcrpics.com/misc/TellicoEAsummary.pdf

There are many other questions brought up by reading both the USFS report and SFWDA report in their entirety; here are few of those points summarized.

Questions:
TellicoRiver water quality - In the Forest Service’s Supervisor’s statement release, he states that the Agency is in violation of the North Carolina state water quality standards; however the SITA states that the Streams are healthy and have excellent water quality per North Carolina Standards and are capable of sustaining viable, reproducing native trout populations. Which results are correct? Do there need to be more tests? Can the FS provide a notice of violation from the State of North Carolina?

Trail repair/updates costs - According to the Alternative F on the EA, the cost for repairs and updates on trails at Upper Tellico OHV will cost more then $5,000,000. The Alternative F proposal also includes closure of all of Trail 2 and all of Trail 12. The SITA report covers repairing all the current trails, as well as repairing Trail 2 and Trail 12 but gives a total cost of repairs and updates at $2,200,000. Nearly 60% less then the EA estimated costs. Why are EA costs so high? Can the EA numbers be justified?

Estimated Net Expenses - On page 199 of the EA, it shows costs of operations for each Alternative. It shows the Net Expense of Alternative A as $236,178. While it shows the Net Expense of Alternative C as $221,056. So according to this report, it will actually only save $10,000 in annual expense from closing the park to keeping the park open. None of the numbers for keeping the park open seem to be out of line with current cost of operations or the estimated cost with the park being closed. In the SITA report, they state the Annual Operation and maintenance at approximately $100,000 per year. Why are the EA costs so high? Can the EA numbers be justified? Why would the park cost so much annually if it is closed?

Local Financial impact - The EA states that OHV users bring in nearly 4 times the amount of money as anglers; a yearly total of almost $4.5 million. After eliminating this amount of money from the local economy, does the Forest Services have any proposals to help local business or stimulate the area? Has the Forest Service done any studies on how many jobs will be lost, internally and externally? Can the local region sustain the loss of income?

Water Quality - The Forest Service EA says the water Quality does not meet NC standards but the SFWDA report does. How can this be?

Soil Displacement - Most of the trails were dug out the way they are to help with water runoff when the area was used for logging. In the EA report, they discuss how 74,000 tons of soil has been displaced, but it does not address how much of this was originally dug out by the FS in an attempt to “help” Tellico with erosion and water runoff.

Causes – Both reports state that lack of maintenance and funds have contributed to the condition of the OHV area today.

Closure – As it stands the trails will not be re-opened as scheduled on April 1st. At this point the trails are indefinitely. This would directly contradict the previous proposal for certain trails to be closed "for a period not to exceed one year" (trails include: Slickrock, Lower 2, and Peckerwood Connection) and would contradict their temporary winter closure which should expire on April 1. How will local businesses be able to prepare for the wheeling season? How can the park be closed without a formal decision?

Trout – Most of the current trout population in this area is stocked. Trout in current numbers are not natural to the area. Some people feel the newly stocked trout are causing the native trout to disappear, not silt contamination.

Letter writing guidelines

• Letter must include specific suggestions for improving specific aspects of the EA. Even if you just pick one aspect, give examples of how it could be done better.
• Recommend that the Forest Plan be amended to allow higher OHV trail density within the Upper Tellico OHV area specifically.
• Further recommend that the Forest Plan be amended to accomodate diversity among OHV users, specifically eliminating the following language: "providing trails with easy to moderate levels of challenge", which excludes the high challenge areas that we all drive several hours to enjoy.
• Provide alternatives for protecting the Brook Trout populations, including: fishing limitations, discontinuing the stocking of non-native species (rainbow & brown), follow-up analysis of populations after these measures are implemented.
• Be courteous and professional.

 

[Sputnik40]

Thanks Rick - your brief helps a bit - am more interested in a method (or brief statement) to include in my letter a NEPA procedural statement that clearly shows the lack of documented science as contradicted by the SFWDA science.

Having gone thru all this mess years ago with the Ocala NF - am just not certain under what authority one person can make the call - and then drag out the process by closures.

Sorry - have been slammed busy and have not had time to read everything or keep up...

 

[Trollhole]

Working on mine. It's gonna take a while. I have a whole 18 years to write about.

 

[Southeast Overland]

I'm on it!

 

[CruisinTiger]

Just love dealin with the government!

 

[CandyPants]

Thanks y'all! I knew I could count on you!

 

[Carp]

Will print out the brief and both reports. Plan to read this weekend and start the letter. Gonna get everyone I know who's ever been there or heard of Tellico to write something.

 

[boombapslappy]

Got a compliment on the 62 this morning from a j**p guy.

I asked if he'd ever been to Tellico. He said yes and that he and his buddies were contacting the powers-that-be to do their part as well. Seems like lots of folks are getting involved. Sweet!

 

[Carp]

Got this from the Forest Ranger about a week ago.

Dear Interested Party:
The USDA Forest Service is seeking comments on two proposals regarding management of the Upper Tellico Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) System:

An Environmental Assessment (EA) for the long-term management of the Upper Tellico OHV System. You may download a copy of the EA and related graphics at Upper Tellico OHV Area. If you would like to receive a paper copy of the EA, please e-mail your request to: comments-southern-north-carolina@fs.fed.us or call (828) 257-4817, and one will be mailed to you. For questions concerning the project or the EA contact Candace Wyman, Project Coordinator, at 828-257-4816.

A temporary closure of the Upper Tellico OHV System for resource protection, effective April 1, 2009. This closure would prohibit possession or use of a motorized vehicle on a road or trail within the Upper Tellico OHV System, with the exception of highway-legal vehicles on 420-1 and certain other exceptions described in the closure order until a final project decision is implemented.
The Upper Tellico OHV System is located on Tusquitee Ranger District, Nantahala National Forest, Cherokee County, NC. In June 2008, we publicized a proposal for long-term management of the System, designed to greatly reduce the amount of soil leaving the System and entering the Tellico River and its tributaries, while still providing an OHV trail system. This proposal is referred to as the “proposed action” or Alternative B and is described in detail in Chapter 1 of the EA. We received around 1,500 public comments on the proposed action. Alternatives to the proposed action were developed in response to the comments and environmental issues identified by the Agency. A wide range of comments was received, so six alternatives are analyzed in the EA, identified as Alternatives A through F. We would now like your review and comment on the alternatives and analysis before making a final decision on long-term management of the System.

The following is a brief description of the alternatives analyzed in detail in the EA. Please refer to the EA, Chapters 2 and 3, for more information about each alternative.

Alternative A is the “no action” alternative that reflects the existing trail system with 2007 management and funding levels.
Alternative B is the “proposed action” that was released in June 2008 for public comment. It was developed to address the problems initially identified in trail condition surveys conducted in 2007-2008.
Alternative C closes the OHV System, but maintains over 10 miles of existing Forest system roads in the area, open year-round or seasonally, to provide for public highway-legal vehicle access for hunting, fishing and other recreation uses. It was developed in response to public concerns that the proposed action (Alternative B) did not go far enough in eliminating trails on sensitive soils and trails near water.
Alternative D was developed in response to public concerns that the OHV Trail System should meet current trail density and challenge level standards, and not require a Forest Plan amendment.
Alternative E was developed in response to public concerns that the proposed action (Alternative B) would eliminate too many high challenge OHV experiences.
Alternative F was developed in response to public concerns that the proposed action (Alternative B) would eliminate too many OHV trail miles.

The environmental concerns that initiated the proposed management changes are described in the EA, as are the projected direct, indirect, and cumulative environmental effects of each of these Alternatives.

The EA shows that the Upper Tellico OHV System has extensive damage and contributes unacceptable levels of sediment into the Tellico River and its tributaries. Sediment is leaving the OHV System from more than 2,000 locations along the trails. The Agency is in violation of North Carolina state water quality standards because of the conditions on Upper Tellico OHV System. Since the Upper Tellico River watershed is located in an area of steep terrain, highly erosive soils, and high rainfall, maintaining an OHV trail system without causing significant environmental damage is extremely difficult.

While I understand how important the Upper Tellico OHV System is to OHV users, the impacts to water quality are so significant that I cannot recommend keeping the System open at this time. After careful consideration of the environmental effects of the alternatives as presented in the EA, my preferred alternative is Alternative C, which closes the OHV System. Alternative C would maintain over 10 miles of existing Forest system roads (currently also OHV trails), open year-round or seasonally, to provide public access for hunting, fishing and other recreation uses. Trail 1 (FS Road 420-1) would be paved and kept open as a through route for highway-legal vehicles.

I want to emphasize that a final decision has not yet been made. This public review period is an opportunity for you to give us constructive feedback. I encourage you to review the environmental assessment and provide us with any information that you think we have not considered adequately. Your comments need to be as specific as possible and you must provide the following information: 1) Your name and address; 2) Title of the project; 3) Specific substantive comments on the proposed action, along with supporting reasons that I should consider in reaching a decision; and 4) Your signature or other means of identification verification. For organizations, a signature or other means of identification verification must be provided for the individual authorized to represent your organization.

Comments must be postmarked or received within 30 days beginning the day after publication of this notice in The Asheville Citizen-Times. Comments may be mailed electronically, in a common digital format, to: comments-southern-north-carolina-nantahala-tusquitee@fs.fed.us; or by regular mail to: National Forests in North Carolina, Attn: Candace Wyman, 160 A Zillicoa Street, Asheville, NC 28801, or faxed to 828-257-4263. Hand delivered comments must be received within our normal business hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Thank you for your continued interest in management of the National Forests in North Carolina and the Tusquitee Ranger District.

 

[Carp]

...Comments must be postmarked or received within 30 days beginning the day after publication of this notice in The Asheville Citizen-Times. Comments may be mailed electronically, in a common digital format, to: comments-southern-north-carolina-nantahala-tusquitee@fs.fed.us; or by regular mail to: National Forests in North Carolina, Attn: Candace Wyman, 160 A Zillicoa Street, Asheville, NC 28801, or faxed to 828-257-4263. Hand delivered comments must be received within our normal business hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Thank you for your continued interest in management of the National Forests in North Carolina and the Tusquitee Ranger District.

I think I will try to hand deliver my comments, and think it would be a good show of support for Tellico if we could ALL try to hand deliver our comments, that way the ranger can't just dismiss us or our involvement. I was thinking about going March 23rd, and was going to try to schedule a meeting with the ranger (if this worked out, I imagine the meeting be getting the ranger to look outside). If we could all drive our Cruisers/Jeeps/4WD's and show just how much we care about Tellico that it might be harder to close it.

What does everyone think of this plan? Maybe get the word out on SFWDA and organize it from across the region. Hard to ignore 2-300 4WD vehicles, maybe 10 times that.

The 23rd would give everyone time to get their letters together. Who's in?

 

[GXO]

Wrote, called, emailed, confirmed my input is in.

 

[Carp]

Bump

When is the end of the comment period? My eyes are too tired to finish tonight....

Up to 1800+ words and probably only 1/4 of the way there.

Representatives and Senators emailed, wife's UFWDA letter sent in...

 

[pillguy]

You might want to keep it short as sometimes the longer the letter the less likely they will read the whole thing. I think Abe Lincoln had a quote, "I would have written a shorter letter, but did not have time."

Bump

When is the end of the comment period? My eyes are too tired to finish tonight....

Up to 1800+ words and probably only 1/4 of the way there.

Representatives and Senators emailed, wife's UFWDA letter sent in...

 

[Southeast Overland]

You might want to keep it short as sometimes the longer the letter the less likely they will read the whole thing. I think Abe Lincoln had a quote, "I would have written a shorter letter, but did not have time."

The key is to make substantive comments.

You don't want to see how long my comments were...

 

[Carp]

will take those considerations to heart. any idea on timing?

 

[CandyPants]

March 28th...it's coming soon!

 

[CandyPants]

Time is up

OK folks, it's time to s*** or get off the pot.

Comment, do it now, do it often.

The deadline is 30 days from the published notice, which was on Feb 27th. So...calculating that, THIS SUNDAY IS THE DEADLINE!!!!!

Pirate Letter Generator: www.pirate4x4.com/letters

BRC Letter Generator: http://www.sharetrails.org/letters/letter.php?id=39