Tellico EA release announcement!!

If you get a chance to attend please do so .. we need folks to show up and support keeping trails open for the future
 
That means we will have 30 days from this coming Friday to respond. We need to bombard them with concise, well thought out, non emotional emails and letters!
 
i'll do what i can to help.
 
yup, i got the email today. read through alot of the information. it's not looking good. Formulating a response, is there a standard response from NC4x4 members we should work on, or would it be better if it was induvidial responses?
 
BigRedB2 said:
yup, i got the email today. read through alot of the information. it's not looking good. Formulating a response, is there a standard response from NC4x4 members we should work on, or would it be better if it was induvidial responses?
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I think it would be better to go with a non generic response concerning this. I wrote into senate with a generic response and received the same half ass reply. Plus, its good to put your own thoughts and words to something like this. They are looking for input so they can formulate a conclusion based on the analysis of our responses, so lets take our time to voice our opinion and who knows, I we all make a valid point/suggestions why would they shutdown the park?
 
Folks:
I have not followed this a closely as I should have. I did read over the options considered by the FS. Has anyone proposed the Harlan Ky. model as an option.

It seams to me that Cherokee (City of Murphy) and Graham Counties in North Carolina and Monroe County (City of Tellico Plains) Tennessee should have a vested interest in keeping the OHV recreation area open for the economic health of the area.

As an engineer registered in many states including NC and TN with 25 years of experience in Hydrology, Hydraulics, Sedimentology and Water Quality in storm water management, I believe there is an answer short of complete closure. I noted that over 40 miles of trails were closed in 1980 when USFS took over the ownership of Tellico. They left 40 miles open for OHV use. I believe trail rotation on a 5 year basis may help solve the problem. We could close the existing trails seed and install BMP's for erosion and sediment control using county equipment and labor(maybe even funding from the stimulus package since this helps with job creation/preservation). Maybe using these same forces we could open 40 miles of trails many of which were closed 30 years ago by installing control measures and allow these to be used for 5 years or so then begin a rotation of 8 miles per year so that each five years a trail rests for five years.

I take issue with how the FS is applying the NC water quality standard for turbidity to trout waters. I think there are other technical flaws in the assessment. These are arguments for another venue. I am not sure the technical will matter at this point.

Trail rotation is not possible without a partnership with the Counties mentioned above and a strong trail manager and planner. I don't think the USFS has the man power or budgets to make this happen. If we could foster a partnership between the Counties mentioned above and the USFS using SFWD as the catalyst to get the Counties to agree to help with maintenance and upkeep as well as help provide enforcement(use of sheriff deputies).

It may be prudent to limit in the beginning the vehicles to those with license and registration and insurance. This may eliminate the dirt bikes and 4-wheelers as well as some hybird rigs until the trail rotation plan could get off the ground. One could introduce these type vehicles in the mix as trails are managed and brought into use. Trail usage could be enforced by sheriff departments of the local counties with agreements with the USFS.

Does anyone know if anything like this has been proposed? Has any of the local officials been approached to discuss the possibilities? I may be way late here and much of this water may have already passed under the bridge. I would be interested to know if there has been an effort to get local, state and national politicians involved. Again, I may be way off base here but thought it may merit a discussion.
 
YellowjeepCj said:
Folks:
I have not followed this a closely as I should have. I did read over the options considered by the FS. Has anyone proposed the Harlan Ky. model as an option.
It seams to me that Cherokee (City of Murphy) and Graham Counties in North Carolina and Monroe County (City of Tellico Plains) Tennessee should have a vested interest in keeping the OHV recreation area open for the economic health of the area.
As an engineer registered in many states including NC and TN with 25 years of experience in Hydrology, Hydraulics, Sedimentology and Water Quality in storm water management, I believe there is an answer short of complete closure. I noted that over 40 miles of trails were closed in 1980 when USFS took over the ownership of Tellico. They left 40 miles open for OHV use. I believe trail rotation on a 5 year basis may help solve the problem. We could close the existing trails seed and install BMP's for erosion and sediment control using county equipment and labor(maybe even funding from the stimulus package since this helps with job creation/preservation). Maybe using these same forces we could open 40 miles of trails many of which were closed 30 years ago by installing control measures and allow these to be used for 5 years or so then begin a rotation of 8 miles per year so that each five years a trail rests for five years.
I take issue with how the FS is applying the NC water quality standard for turbidity to trout waters. I think there are other technical flaws in the assessment. These are arguments for another venue. I am not sure the technical will matter at this point.
Trail rotation is not possible without a partnership with the Counties mentioned above and a strong trail manager and planner. I don't think the USFS has the man power or budgets to make this happen. If we could foster a partnership between the Counties mentioned above and the USFS using SFWD as the catalyst to get the Counties to agree to help with maintenance and upkeep as well as help provide enforcement(use of sheriff deputies).
It may be prudent to limit in the beginning the vehicles to those with license and registration and insurance. This may eliminate the dirt bikes and 4-wheelers as well as some hybird rigs until the trail rotation plan could get off the ground. One could introduce these type vehicles in the mix as trails are managed and brought into use. Trail usage could be enforced by sheriff departments of the local counties with agreements with the USFS.
Does anyone know if anything like this has been proposed? Has any of the local officials been approached to discuss the possibilities? I may be way late here and much of this water may have already passed under the bridge. I would be interested to know if there has been an effort to get local, state and national politicians involved. Again, I may be way off base here but thought it may merit a discussion.
Click to expand...

Well hello, new Secret Weapon. Sounds like you've got some great insight to help the cause. I think exactly what you typed up here should be sent to the FS, the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners, Economic Development Office and the Murphy Town Council. Our contact with the locals has been uninspired to this point. Maybe the plummeting economy and some specific ideas would help get them on board.
 
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