Take Action to Save Tellico...NOW!

[RichardD]

Figured I should post this here too. I received this today from the UFWDA. I made sure that all the links work.

It's going to take all of us, each doing our part, to keep Tellico from remaining closed.


"Southern FWDA met with the USFS today and heard a presentation on what will be in their Environmental Assessment. 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 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 http://www.sfwda.org/trails/tellico/study09/ ) and that you download the FS’ EA which is posted here (Upper Tellico OHV Area http://www.cs.unca.edu/nfsnc/nepa/tusquitee/tellico/tellico.htm ) 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 the 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 is 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 (http://www.sfwda.org/trails/tellico/donate.html)

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 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
Heather, SFWDA Director of Land Management

Rescue Tellico Fund (http://www.sfwda.org/trails/tellico/donate.html)

Remember to stay up-to-date with the UFWDA forum
http://www.ufwda.org/smf/index.php "


Be well,
Richard

[Orvisman]

thanks man....

I took action anyone else???

can we get help from across the country.... I know tourist dollars can make a dent tell the community you wont go unless you can ride the ohv park..

just my two cents

[IGotADisneyJeep]

Originally Posted by -ZJones-

I don't understand why the huggers care so much. Just let it be, it doesn't effect them in any way.

Tree Huggers and Not Effecting them?

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Now we just need our Jeeps to be offroading in the background in that video clip.
Those hippies are Nuts!

[FunkSkunk]

Wrote about 6 letters so far, anyone else do something?!

[dz1087]

Bump, don't let it close forever guys

[CMARJEEP]

I already wrote my letter.

It pisses me off that some other worthless thread will get more views than this one though. People need to take the 5 minutes and write a damn letter. I live thousands of miles from Tellico and have never been there but if they close it down then its just another win for the greenies and a loss for us. Show them that they will have to put up a fight to close it and we won't let them do it easily.

WRITE YOUR LETTER!!!

[RichardD]

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[RichardD]

Hey folks.

Sent my letters too.

Figured I should pass this along.

All I can say is it's only going to get worse. If you're not a member of the United Four Wheel Drive Association, you should be. They've been around for more than 30 years and are an International Organization dedicated to keeping the trails open for all of us to enjoy. You can join as a club, group, association, or even as an individual. Go to www.ufwda.org for more information. Individual membership is only $28.00 right now, until June 30th, as they're having a Membership Drive. So for less than one tank of gas, you can help keep the trails open!

It's going to take all of us, each doing our part, to keep more trails from being closed. Our voices need to be heard, and we have more power as a group than as individuals.

Be well,
Richard


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT HEATHER ROYSTON - (678) 463-7376

The Southern Four Wheel Drive Association (SFWDA), the BlueRibbon Coalition (BRC) and United Four Wheel Drive Associations (UFWDA) expressed disappointment today in the Forest Service decision to implement the emergency closure of the Upper Tellico OHV trails on April 1, pending review of the many substantive comments made by OHV enthusiasts.

Gary Parsons, President of SFWDA, said, "We are very disappointed in the Forest Service decision to close the Upper Tellico OHV trails. In formal comments made to the Forest Service, the OHV community and other interested parties clearly demonstrated that such a closure has no scientific basis. Substantive comments provided to the Forest Service included findings of an independent study completed by Caliber Engineering and the recommendations from a report completed by the Forest Service's own Trails Unlimited Team. This is a bad decision and we are left with no other alternative but to pursue legal options."

Carla Boucher, legal counsel for the United Four Wheel Drive Associations, stated, "The Forest Service has failed to make the case with regard to adverse effects and resource damage. There is no immediate threat to public health, safety, or other requisite finding required by such an order. Water quality standards cited by the Forest Supervisor as the basis for such an order are not being exceeded." Boucher added, "In making this decision, the Forest Service must be prepared to explain why similar findings have not been made in the decades of greater environmental impact and they simply have not done that."

Greg Mumm, BRC's Executive Director, stated, "Implementing this closure order threatens the integrity of the ongoing planning process in which the interested public and our federal government have collectively invested significant time and resources." Mumm concluded, "The economic impact of this closure will be devastating to the area and comes at a time when the current administration is calling for more jobs, economic development, and healthy outdoor recreation. It makes no sense."


# # #


The BlueRibbon Coalition is a national recreation group that champions responsible use of recreation, 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