Uwharrie OHV Trail System Future 2015

Friends Of Uwharrie

Friends Of Uwharrie

Member
Joined
Dec 20, 2012
Uwharrie OHV Trail System Future - 2015

As many of you already know, the Uwharrie OHV trail system is in danger of extinction if not drastic reworking!

Continued disregard for USFS rules and regulations coupled with a lack of education has combined with many new archaeological discoveries to put the OHV trail system in a tight spot!

While the Uwharrie district, under Ranger Walker’s leadership, is committed to working with OHV enthusiasts to find a solution that will allow the trails to remain open, several serious problems will need to be addressed if the trail system is to remain open!

The Uwharries are one of the oldest mountain ranges in North America (http://nc4x4.com/forum/index.php?threads/friends-of-uwharrie-a-short-history.130918/#post-1077500) and as such have many historic archaeological sites that must be preserved. Damage to these sites from proximity to OHV trails and from illegal spider trails and bypasses has already caused the closure of several sections of the trail system. Continued damage, if not arrested, could even result in system wide closure!

What can we, as 4wd enthusiasts, do to ensure that this system will be available for future generations to enjoy?

1. It appears that the only way to preserve some of the sensitive archaeological sites in nearest proximity to trails is to line both sides of the section with guardrail. While this might not be the best solution esthetically it may be the only solution for now. Attend one of the 2015 off season Forest Service workdays and help accomplish this goal. These will be held January 20, February 21 and March 21 2015. Meet at the Hunt Camp at 9 a.m. each workday.


2. Do your best to stay on designated, marked trails. Avoid bypassing trail blockages or taking illegal spider trails. Help educate others on the necessity of following Forest Service rules and regulations while on the OHV trails!


3. The Forest Service is in the process of forming a new “Plan” for managing outdoor recreation in our national forests. Take an active role in this process by attending one of the upcoming planning meetings. Details can be found on NC4x4.com or on the Friends Of Uwharrie facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/FriendsOfUwharrie, or website, http://friendsofuwharrie.org
 
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Several Friends have expressed their thoughts that our “Uwharrie OHV Trail System Future – 2015” post gave them the impression that the Uwharrie OHV trails were going to be closed. This was not the intent.

The purpose of the post was to impress upon our OHV Friends the challenges facing the Uwharrie OHV trail system and to suggest some ways that they could help ensure that the trail system would be available for future generations.

The OHV trails need help! FOU and its Friends intend to do what they can to help!
 
Do any of you ever think about what it will be like after the closure of the OHV trails at Uwharrie? Will we as a clubs continue? Although URE is plain and simple to many of us, it's still close enough to call our "home" trail system.
After the recent SFWDA email concerning URE closures and the Friends Of Uwharrie needing funds, some awareness and questions have been raised about how much we are being told or is it just a ploy for the FOU to get donations?
I would say that since the "archeological artifacts" were "discovered" on Rocky Mount and the "opposition" found out it's their next "Spotted Owl", they are moving forward in a step by step process of complete closure of the OHV trails. Of course I'm reading between the lines but I've been involved for a long time and have met these people at meetings and they throw stuff up against the wall until something sticks and then they run with it. They're not going to stop. It's what they do and they keep going because they think they are smarter and know what's best for us and society in general and in their minds, the forest should be left in a ''natural'' state without invasion of vehicles and people.
I don't even know if I want to run URE when the trails are completely enclosed by guardrail but according to most reports, that's what it is heading for.
I think that the Forest Service is not as committed to OHV use as they say they are. There is NO enforcement and we as a community have been asking for this from the beginning. Until ATVs and the like have identifiable markings so that they can be reported, their damage will not stop! If you own a boat, you must register it with the state Wildife Commision and put identifiable numbers on it. I think that until something like this is implemented, nothing will change. Sure there are idiots in every group but as we all know, if we see a rig with tags on it, we can report them and the Forest Service has something to follow up with.
On some of the shows on TV, the cameramen follow along with officers who are serious about enforcement of ALL of the laws. They have ATVs, 4wd trucks capable of patrolling the trails and they do just that. Our forest Service has NONE of that.
Another aspect of this is the economy of the area. How would it affect the Eldorado Outpost if the trails are closed? Consider Scott Fields, his trail system cannot handle the extra traffic. Would his business still be viable?
I'd like to know what "The Plan" is. And yes, I know, go to the meetings and workdays and be involved. I have in a big way in the past.
 
R Q said:
Do any of you ever think about what it will be like after the closure of the OHV trails at Uwharrie? Will we as a clubs continue? Although URE is plain and simple to many of us, it's still close enough to call our "home" trail system.
After the recent SFWDA email concerning URE closures and the Friends Of Uwharrie needing funds, some awareness and questions have been raised about how much we are being told or is it just a ploy for the FOU to get donations?
I would say that since the "archeological artifacts" were "discovered" on Rocky Mount and the "opposition" found out it's their next "Spotted Owl", they are moving forward in a step by step process of complete closure of the OHV trails. Of course I'm reading between the lines but I've been involved for a long time and have met these people at meetings and they throw stuff up against the wall until something sticks and then they run with it. They're not going to stop. It's what they do and they keep going because they think they are smarter and know what's best for us and society in general and in their minds, the forest should be left in a ''natural'' state without invasion of vehicles and people.
I don't even know if I want to run URE when the trails are completely enclosed by guardrail but according to most reports, that's what it is heading for.
I think that the Forest Service is not as committed to OHV use as they say they are. There is NO enforcement and we as a community have been asking for this from the beginning. Until ATVs and the like have identifiable markings so that they can be reported, their damage will not stop! If you own a boat, you must register it with the state Wildife Commision and put identifiable numbers on it. I think that until something like this is implemented, nothing will change. Sure there are idiots in every group but as we all know, if we see a rig with tags on it, we can report them and the Forest Service has something to follow up with.
On some of the shows on TV, the cameramen follow along with officers who are serious about enforcement of ALL of the laws. They have ATVs, 4wd trucks capable of patrolling the trails and they do just that. Our forest Service has NONE of that.
Another aspect of this is the economy of the area. How would it affect the Eldorado Outpost if the trails are closed? Consider Scott Fields, his trail system cannot handle the extra traffic. Would his business still be viable?
I'd like to know what "The Plan" is. And yes, I know, go to the meetings and workdays and be involved. I have in a big way in the past.
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There has been artifacts since the 50s. Alot of the trails where laid out to avoid such(mostly newer reworks and the newer trails), problem is they have widen and been "rerouted" by off trail riding.

The forrest service has been alot more open here lately with the issues and what we are trying to do keep them open. That said i welcome all to come to the the planning meetings that have been started to het information directly from the fs. I will post in the upcoming events section the next one.

We discussed dui and off trail request for enforcement yesterday and i am personally making some phone calls on what we can do to help get this. Look for more info on this as i get answers, jeffery gave me alot of insight to some of the back end issues with this and want to follow up and see what we can do to help them get the correct items to do so.

Who would be willing to sign a petion for more enforcement on the trails? Alot of times there is some talk on here on what we can do and will go nowhere when the time comes to act. I am not trying to call anyone out but ask are we going to be ok with what we ask for???

Looking at several area for help, montgermy county sherrif, nc wildlife enforcement etc etc.
 
I am all for more enforcement on the trails. Tell me where to sign. Someone getting penalized for riding off the trail, littering, drinking and riding and such, getting busted on a regular basis will demand a change. Snotty drunken teenagers will go away, carless rednecks will go away, all of the problems would quickly (within a year) quit coming to Uwharrie or clean their act up. Then the folks that follow the rules and just like to enjoy the trails can focus on making improvements rather than constantly correcting what carless others want to do.
 
I'll sign a petition. I can tell you enforcement works. When Debra Walker initially came on board, the enforcement and new rules ran most of the ATV crowd away and it was actually nice to go to URE. Now those rules aren't being enforced and it's the same old thing again.
BUT until we have an identifying program for all unlicensed rigs, there is no way of enforcing the rules.
 
Friends Of Uwharrie said:
3. The Forest Service is in the process of forming a new “Plan” for managing outdoor recreation in our national forests. [/QUOTE]
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I don't want to sound like a negative Nelly but this "Plan" has been in the works since I started going to Uwharrie back in 1998. I even went to a bunch of FS meetings to show support for the OHV community in the early 2000's. The plan that got developed got scraped and now its another plan
 
snappy said:
That said i welcome all to come to the the planning meetings that have been started to het information directly from the fs.
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Is it possible to "dial in" to these meetings via phone and/or web conference? I would love to be more involved in these, but I'm a couple hours away from Troy so attending in person is usually the challenge...

Shaggy
 
shaggydoink said:
Is it possible to "dial in" to these meetings via phone and/or web conference? I would love to be more involved in these, but I'm a couple hours away from Troy so attending in person is usually the challenge...

Shaggy
Click to expand...
I will ask and see, worst can i can get 2 people on via 3 way speaker phone
 
Snappy, like we talked about yesterday, I am all for stopping the drinking and nonsense that goes on out there. Hearing from Jeff, the limitations the FS has on enforcement makes me sick to my stomach. Tell me where to sign, and I'll sign the petition in a heartbeat. I work 50-60 hours a week, and have to damn near murder people to get 2 days off in a row. I don't have the time or the trailer to drive 4 or 5 hours to ride some trails. URE is all I got, and I'm not trying to lose it over someone else's stupidity. By the way, I liked your idea about calling in for DUI check points.
 
snappy said:
I will ask and see, worst can i can get 2 people on via 3 way speaker phone
Click to expand...

If the FS is open to the idea, I can provide a phone conference bridge and help facilitate - just let me know, or have someone at the FS contact me.

Shaggy
 
R Q said:
After the recent SFWDA email concerning URE closures and the Friends Of Uwharrie needing funds, some awareness and questions have been raised about how much we are being told or is it just a ploy for the FOU to get donations?
Click to expand...

There is no "ploy" for FOU to get donations. FOU does not resort to trickery or lies to fund its mission!
 
tknopp said:
I don't want to sound like a negative Nelly but this "Plan" has been in the works since I started going to Uwharrie back in 1998. I even went to a bunch of FS meetings to show support for the OHV community in the early 2000's. The plan that got developed got scraped and now its another plan
Click to expand...

This "Plan" has actually been in effect since 1976. As with any attempt to manage a large enterprise, revisions become necessary over time. The 2008 Plan was overturned by a federal judge, hence the need of a different plan.

Planning Rule 10,1 http://www.fs.usda.gov/main/planningrule/101, "National Forest Management Act (NFMA) of 1976 requires every national forest or grassland managed by the Forest Service to develop and maintain an effective Land Management Plan (also known as a Forest Plan)."
 
J.C. said:
There is no "ploy" for FOU to get donations. FOU does not resort to trickery or lies to fund its mission!
Click to expand...

One of the few folks I know here who when they speak, I trust them unconditionally. Thanks for addressing its a question I think several had.
 
J.C. said:
This "Plan" has actually been in effect since 1976. As with any attempt to manage a large enterprise, revisions become necessary over time. The 2008 Plan was overturned by a federal judge, hence the need of a different plan.

Planning Rule 10,1 http://www.fs.usda.gov/main/planningrule/101, "National Forest Management Act (NFMA) of 1976 requires every national forest or grassland managed by the Forest Service to develop and maintain an effective Land Management Plan (also known as a Forest Plan)."
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There is a ton that goes into a management plan. Recreation is h just one of many multi use objectives. And amongst the recreation sub section, ohv is just one of many of those. These folks have a lot on their plate
 
FOU has money to spend right now! They do not need more, right now! When a project comes up that requires funding, FOU will try to raise funds to cover the cost if it doesn't have them on hand. FOU meetings are open to anyone who wants to attend and our financial reports are available to those who request them.

Here's how it works. FOU is incorporated as a 501c3 non-profit to assist the Forest Service in maintaining outdoor recreation in the forest. From the OHV perspective this is the OHV trails and related projects. FOU receives its funding from grants and individual donations from recreationists who want to help FOU accomplish its mission. FOU takes these funds and buys rip rap, gravel, sand, timbers, etc, rents equipment and provides volunteer manpower to assist the FS in maintaining the OHV trails. 100% of these funds go to implementing our mission. All FOU volunteers are just that, vounteers. No one gets paid. ALL donations go, 100%, to the cause they are designated for.

Some recreationists want to help FOU with their mission financially. We welcome that help. Some want to help FOU with volunteer labor. We welcome that help. I see no reason for those who choose not to help to cast aspersions on those who do want to help!
 
Ron said:
Thanks for addressing its a question I think several had.
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But not a question people were looking for an answer to, obviously. Instead of innuendo, hearsay and speculation people should pick up the phone and talk to one of the FOU board members to get a straight answer to their questions. As treasurer, I am always available to anyone with questions or who just wants to chat. Anyone who does not have my phone number, PM me!
 
77GreenMachine said:
, carless rednecks will go away,
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Really?
And i support FOU and their tireless efforts to keep the place open!
Snappy and JC are BADASS!
Total Disclaimer.......
I started wheeling @ URE, near and dear to my heart it is. Met a ton of folks who helped me along with my strange obsession to this hobby.
RVZ out....
:)
 
redneckcj5guy said:
Really?
And i support FOU and their tireless efforts to keep the place open!
Snappy and JC are BADASS!
Total Disclaimer.......
I started wheeling @ URE, near and dear to my heart it is. Met a ton of folks who helped me along with my strange obsession to this hobby.
RVZ out....
:)
Click to expand...
That was not a stab at you or any other good ole boy. I'm sure some consider me a redneck. Just meant the carless trashy kind of ones that cause trouble and have no values. You know, the guys driving Toyotas.... [emoji38]

Seriously, how can we implement enforcement on the trails? I think even if we can't identify each ATV or rig causing a problem it would make a huge difference just having the presence of some enforcement on the trails. Problem is people would still act like fools at night, which is when most of the foolishness happens.
I don't know what has to happen, but I want to help do whatever that is. Even it means higher passes, monthly donations to a volunteer LEO placed on the trail or what have you. I want to see something to keep the trails open. The place means too much to me to back down without a fight.
 
What most people call a redneck
Aint nothing but a working man
And he makes his living by the sweat of his brow
and the callouses on his hands.
Now you intellectuals may not liek it
but aint a damn thing you can do,
Cause there is a whole lot more of us common folks
than there ever will be of you...


Lol
 
J.C. said:
There is no "ploy" for FOU to get donations. FOU does not resort to trickery or lies to fund its mission!
Click to expand...
What I was saying JC, was that the email that SFWDA put out sounded so much more desperate than anything we had heard before. So different in fact, that many of us thought there were new issues we didn't know about or that SFWDA was sensationalizing the issue more so than in the past. No disrespect intended.
 
Let me take full responsibility for the content right here. I wrote that piece for FOU FB and posted it here also. I did not realize how it might be perceived and apologize for the confusion and animosity it engendered! Hopefully I have learned a valuable lesson in PR 101 :)

Obviously the email did not come across the way it was intended :( It's funny, I talked with a couple of guys at the workday this Sat and have seen posts here that paralleled your thinking. I asked a couple of friends that do not know anything about 4wd to read it and they just took it as it was intended, as a call to volunteerism in the new year. Go figure.

Anyway, Ranger Walker and Rec Specialist Savery did mention in their talks at the workday that the OHV trails, while not in imminent danger, are in danger. Ranger Walker said she expects to make a final determination on the Kodak Rock section this year. More guardrail is going up and if doesn't stop vehicle traffic in sensitive areas closure of those sections may result.

Again, I apologize for the miscommunication!
 
It seems that motorcyclists don't have much of a voice in these meetings/decisions and I can't blame anyone until I blame myself first.

There must be a safer solution other than guardrail, I couldn't imagine hitting that on a dirt bike or ATV.
I know that is not the guardrails purpose but it could take a minor "bobble" on the trail to a completely different level.
I don't want to see anyone get hurt on these trials just so someone else doesn't use an illegal bypass.

These by-passes exist for a reason, I'm not saying I go "bush-whacking" to go around a difficult section, I would turn around first.
But if there is an established but "illegal" trail around a section that is near impossible on a dirt bike or ATV then I will use it.
When benches or steps get cut into these hills it is near impossible to get over some of them.
I've been riding for decades so I can manage pretty well on my own, but I've seen kids and/or less experienced riders there have trouble.

Once a trail gets to a condition where it becomes too difficult for most OHV users (4x4s, ATVs, and dirt bikes) to get through,
then maybe it should be closed until repairs are made.

I also think taking the weather into consideration should be looked at.
It would be a tremendous help if trail access was limited when we've had a lot of rain.
Driving on the trails when they are really muddy does more damage than some could imagine.
 
Leget said:
It seems that motorcyclists don't have much of a voice in these meetings/decisions and I can't blame anyone until I blame myself first.

There must be a safer solution other than guardrail, I couldn't imagine hitting that on a dirt bike or ATV.
I know that is not the guardrails purpose but it could take a minor "bobble" on the trail to a completely different level.
I don't want to see anyone get hurt on these trials just so someone else doesn't use an illegal bypass.

These by-passes exist for a reason, I'm not saying I go "bush-whacking" to go around a difficult section, I would turn around first.
But if there is an established but "illegal" trail around a section that is near impossible on a dirt bike or ATV then I will use it.
When benches or steps get cut into these hills it is near impossible to get over some of them.
I've been riding for decades so I can manage pretty well on my own, but I've seen kids and/or less experienced riders there have trouble.

Once a trail gets to a condition where it becomes too difficult for most OHV users (4x4s, ATVs, and dirt bikes) to get through,
then maybe it should be closed until repairs are made.

I also think taking the weather into consideration should be looked at.
It would be a tremendous help if trail access was limited when we've had a lot of rain.
Driving on the trails when they are really muddy does more damage than some could imagine.
Click to expand...

That is why they close the trails in the winter. The Uwharrie OHV trails used to be open year round.
 
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