NFS to Permanently Close Upper Tellico OHV Area

The U.S. Forest Service announced today that it is permanently closing the Upper Tellico Off-Highway Vehicle trail system to correct serious erosion problems in the Upper Tellico River watershed.

The agency announced its decision after two years of analysis of the 39-mile trail system about 11 miles west of Murphy in the Nantahala National Forest.

Read more here . . . http://www.citizen-times.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20091014/OUTDOORS/91014027

Very depressing. This was considered the "Moab of the East" for OHV's. A major loss for sure.

wvyankee2 wrote:

Very depressing. This was considered the "Moab of the East" for OHV's. A major loss for sure.

I have to agree with the Yank here. Major blow......

Big-R wrote:

wvyankee2 wrote:

Very depressing. This was considered the "Moab of the East" for OHV's. A major loss for sure.

I have to agree with the Yank here. Major blow......

My letter dated 07/03/2008 . . . anybody else have something to show for "The Fight"? I have letters I wrote after this date as well, which I'd be happy to post.

"I Know NO Borders", all of you should practice the same!!!

Tusquitee District Ranger
123 Woodland Drive
Murphy, NC 28906

Dear Nantahala National Forest Managers,

My family and I spend many enjoyable hours recreating in our National Forests, National Parks and on BLM lands. Though we reside in California we visit relatives in North Carolina often.

During our visits we like to get out in nature with family and friends. We usually travel to our chosen destination via a four wheel drive vehicle as it allows us to get away from paved roads and into areas we could not otherwise reach due to our age and a disability I incurred while serving our country.

Upon arrival at our final destination we spend our time camping, hiking, fishing, hunting, and traveling the trails in the vicinity with our Jeep and our other OHVs taking in the beautiful scenery that our public lands afford us.

We generally support the idea of travel being limited to designated roads, trails and areas. We are also in support of a thorough environmental review and analysis as well as ongoing monitoring and maintenance of the OHV infrastructure. We as an OHV community have voluntarily taxed ourselves in order to provide funds to the agencies involved so they can actively and effectively accomplish these tasks.

We are completely opposed to the trail closures and paving that has been proposed for the Tellico Off-Highway Vehicle area by the Forest Service. The OHV community should not be punished for the Forest Service’s past failures to effectively plan and manage this trail network. Volunteers have been working for years in cooperation with the Forest Service to maintain this area and now funding and staffing excuses are being used to justify trail closures.

The OHV user community has been successful in procuring substantial funds for OHV management of the area. There are several grant and volunteer programs available, and the OHV community is committed to help provide assistance in addressing legitimate concerns about route maintenance.

The Forest Service needs to address any legitimate maintenance and funding concerns by training staff in grant application processes, management of volunteer programs, and should endeavor to learn about and apply for other funding sources. Additionally Memorandums of Understandings or other similar agreements with recreational groups, such as the Southern Four Wheel Drive Association should be considered.

We believe that current plan for the Tellico OHV Area is not fair to OHV users and is altogether unfeasible. We question the motivation for this action, which seems based on flawed analysis of the issues at hand. We also think that the Forest Service scoping notice does not comply with the law and will not adequately provide recreational opportunities or address access needs. We also believe that the criteria used to formulate the purpose and needs statement is faulty.

In closing, we insist that the Forest Service make every effort to reopen and properly maintain trails at Tellico instead of closing more trails.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

[My Personal Info Went Here]

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."

# # #

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. www.sharetrails.org

United Four Wheel Drive Associations 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. 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

Did you get any response back? I would like to know if they have anything to say!

This is very frustrating. I am glad you are out pushing the fight forward.

The Lyin King wrote:

Big-R wrote:

wvyankee2 wrote:

Very depressing. This was considered the "Moab of the East" for OHV's. A major loss for sure.

I have to agree with the Yank here. Major blow......

My letter dated 07/03/2008 . . . anybody else have something to show for "The Fight"? I have letters I wrote after this date as well, which I'd be happy to post.

"I Know NO Borders", all of you should practice the same!!!

Tusquitee District Ranger
123 Woodland Drive
Murphy, NC 28906

Dear Nantahala National Forest Managers,

My family and I spend many enjoyable hours recreating in our National Forests, National Parks and on BLM lands. Though we reside in California we visit relatives in North Carolina often.

During our visits we like to get out in nature with family and friends. We usually travel to our chosen destination via a four wheel drive vehicle as it allows us to get away from paved roads and into areas we could not otherwise reach due to our age and a disability I incurred while serving our country.

Upon arrival at our final destination we spend our time camping, hiking, fishing, hunting, and traveling the trails in the vicinity with our Jeep and our other OHVs taking in the beautiful scenery that our public lands afford us.

We generally support the idea of travel being limited to designated roads, trails and areas. We are also in support of a thorough environmental review and analysis as well as ongoing monitoring and maintenance of the OHV infrastructure. We as an OHV community have voluntarily taxed ourselves in order to provide funds to the agencies involved so they can actively and effectively accomplish these tasks.

We are completely opposed to the trail closures and paving that has been proposed for the Tellico Off-Highway Vehicle area by the Forest Service. The OHV community should not be punished for the Forest Service’s past failures to effectively plan and manage this trail network. Volunteers have been working for years in cooperation with the Forest Service to maintain this area and now funding and staffing excuses are being used to justify trail closures.

The OHV user community has been successful in procuring substantial funds for OHV management of the area. There are several grant and volunteer programs available, and the OHV community is committed to help provide assistance in addressing legitimate concerns about route maintenance.

The Forest Service needs to address any legitimate maintenance and funding concerns by training staff in grant application processes, management of volunteer programs, and should endeavor to learn about and apply for other funding sources. Additionally Memorandums of Understandings or other similar agreements with recreational groups, such as the Southern Four Wheel Drive Association should be considered.

We believe that current plan for the Tellico OHV Area is not fair to OHV users and is altogether unfeasible. We question the motivation for this action, which seems based on flawed analysis of the issues at hand. We also think that the Forest Service scoping notice does not comply with the law and will not adequately provide recreational opportunities or address access needs. We also believe that the criteria used to formulate the purpose and needs statement is faulty.

In closing, we insist that the Forest Service make every effort to reopen and properly maintain trails at Tellico instead of closing more trails.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

[My Personal Info Went Here]

Big-R wrote:

Did you get any response back? I would like to know if they have anything to say!

This is very frustrating. I am glad you are out pushing the fight forward.

Thank you for the props!! I received a "canned" response to the first letter and this one I wrote in 03/02/2009 . . .

National Forests in North Carolina
Attn: Candace Wyman, Project Coordinator and Marisue Hilliard, Forest Supervisor
160 A Zillicoa Street
Asheville, NC 28801

Dear Tusquitee Ranger District,

The proposed continued closure of the Upper Tellico OHV System to OHV users by Forest Service Supervisor Marisue Hilliard is totally unacceptable!

We in the OHV community are completely opposed to the trail closures and paving that has been suggested for the Tellico Off-Highway Vehicle area by the Forest Service in your recently proposed and obviously preferred “Alternative C”.

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

We believe that current plan for the Tellico OHV Area is not fair to OHV users and is altogether unfeasible. We question the motivation for this action, which seems based on flawed analysis of the issues at hand. We also believe that the criteria used to formulate the initial purpose and needs statement was faulty.

The OHV community should not be punished for the Forest Service’s past failures to effectively plan and manage this trail network. Volunteers have been working for years in cooperation with the Forest Service to maintain this area and now funding, staffing and maintenance excuses are being used to justify trail closures. The OHV user community has been successful in procuring substantial funds for OHV management of the area. There are several grant and volunteer programs available, the Forest Service needs to address any legitimate maintenance and funding concerns by training staff in grant application processes, management of volunteer programs, and should endeavor to learn about and apply for other funding sources such as that provided by the Recreational Trails Program (RTP). Additionally Memorandums of Understandings or other similar agreements with recreational groups, such as the Southern Four Wheel Drive Association should be considered.

The OHV community is committed to help provide assistance in addressing legitimate concerns about route maintenance. The Forest Service proposal of implementing “Alternative C” will not adequately provide recreational opportunities or address access needs. We generally support the idea of travel being limited to designated roads, trails and areas. We are also in support of a thorough environmental review and analysis as well as ongoing monitoring and maintenance of the OHV infrastructure. We as an OHV community have voluntarily taxed ourselves in order to provide funds to the agencies involved so they can actively and effectively accomplish these tasks.

My family and I spend many enjoyable hours recreating in our National Forests, National Parks and on BLM lands. Though we reside in California we visit relatives in North Carolina often. During our visits we like to get out in nature with family and friends. We usually travel to our chosen destination via a four wheel drive vehicle as it allows us to get away from paved roads and into areas we could not otherwise reach. Upon arrival at our final destination we spend our time camping, hiking, fishing, hunting, and traveling the trails in the vicinity with our Jeep and our other OHVs taking in the beautiful scenery and challenging trails in OHV systems like Upper Tellico that our public land affords us.

In closing, we insist that the Forest Service make every effort to reopen and properly maintain the trails at Upper Tellico instead of closing them.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

The Lyin King wrote:

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[quote="The Lyin King"]

My letter dated 07/03/2008 . . . anybody else have something to show for "The Fight"? I have letters I wrote after this date as well, which I'd be happy to post.

"I Know NO Borders", all of you should practice the same!!!

Tusquitee District Ranger
123 Woodland Drive
Murphy, NC 28906

Dear Nantahala National Forest Managers,

My family and I spend many enjoyable hours recreating in our National Forests, National Parks and on BLM lands. Though we reside in California we visit relatives in North Carolina often.

During our visits we like to get out in nature with family and friends. We usually travel to our chosen destination via a four wheel drive vehicle as it allows us to get away from paved roads and into areas we could not otherwise reach due to our age and a disability I incurred while serving our country.

Upon arrival at our final destination we spend our time camping, hiking, fishing, hunting, and traveling the trails in the vicinity with our Jeep and our other OHVs taking in the beautiful scenery that our public lands afford us.

We generally support the idea of travel being limited to designated roads, trails and areas. We are also in support of a thorough environmental review and analysis as well as ongoing monitoring and maintenance of the OHV infrastructure. We as an OHV community have voluntarily taxed ourselves in order to provide funds to the agencies involved so they can actively and effectively accomplish these tasks.

We are completely opposed to the trail closures and paving that has been proposed for the Tellico Off-Highway Vehicle area by the Forest Service. The OHV community should not be punished for the Forest Service’s past failures to effectively plan and manage this trail network. Volunteers have been working for years in cooperation with the Forest Service to maintain this area and now funding and staffing excuses are being used to justify trail closures.

The OHV user community has been successful in procuring substantial funds for OHV management of the area. There are several grant and volunteer programs available, and the OHV community is committed to help provide assistance in addressing legitimate concerns about route maintenance.

The Forest Service needs to address any legitimate maintenance and funding concerns by training staff in grant application processes, management of volunteer programs, and should endeavor to learn about and apply for other funding sources. Additionally Memorandums of Understandings or other similar agreements with recreational groups, such as the Southern Four Wheel Drive Association should be considered.

We believe that current plan for the Tellico OHV Area is not fair to OHV users and is altogether unfeasible. We question the motivation for this action, which seems based on flawed analysis of the issues at hand. We also think that the Forest Service scoping notice does not comply with the law and will not adequately provide recreational opportunities or address access needs. We also believe that the criteria used to formulate the purpose and needs statement is faulty.

In closing, we insist that the Forest Service make every effort to reopen and properly maintain trails at Tellico instead of closing more trails.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

[My Personal Info Went Here]