Over half of the trails there were unusable by stock vehicles as it was, compared to Uwharrie, where a stock vehicle can run most of the trails.
I disagree with that statement!
Basically, places that have such a high degree of trail difficulty really dont belong in a state park as it is. (IMO). However, Id say if the Forest Service would have done the work needed in 1986 when they originally looked at environmental conditions in Tellico, it may have been fixable then, and the park could have remained open.
That's your O and you're entitled to it. I definitely agree with the second part of the quote!
As for Tellico, I did get to enjoy it in a very limited fashion. It was however very mismanaged. Sad, but some of our more passionate advocates led to its demise. A middle ground was needed. A few only saw the hardcore wheeling potential of the area and never once considered a return to a more subdued use of the land. Its manner of use in its last yrs were never planned for or intended. On top of that nobody was smart enough to realize this evolvement. Better managementt was needed to keep up with the growing and evolving public demands. Management, permits and regulated use is the answer to public long term use. A do enjoy hardcore wheeling even if I don't get to participate very often. But such challenges will be regulated to private closed coarse arenas and property (like it or not) at some point in time. This will only change with a very fundamental shift in government and thats a whole other topic.
The issues brought up by Macdaddy and Warrior are among those that have been discussed repeatedly at SFWDA meeting and among wheelers in my circle in general.
There is no doubt that mismanagement by the FS has led to this closure decision. IMO the difficulty of challenge had nothing to do with it, the issue to the FS is water quality. Actually the issue to the FS is the threat of suit by TU over water quality issues, operating at the direction of the SELC.
However, there is no doubt that the growth of the sport and the proliferation of vehicle modifications toward larger tires and horsepower has had a negative impact on trail conditions where ever 4wd vehicles are operated. I have personally seen this happen over the last few years from Tellico to Devil's Playground to Moab.
I disagree that "nobody was smart enough". SFWDA realized early on that without maintenance the trails were at risk and for the last 8 years has effectively, through man hours, materials and equipment, poured several million dollars into trail upkeep and maintenance in the Upper Tellico area only to be slapped in the face by the FS in thanks for all their hard work!
I also disagree with both Macdaddy and Warrior that a "middle ground" or more moderate use is/was necessary. While, as I stated above, there is no doubt that large tired/high horsepower rigs do more damage than stock vehicles, I believe that with proper design and maintenance, high challenge areas can be effectively managed in a National Forest setting. With proper BMPs, drainage, culverts, silt ponds, ect, the erosion in places like Guardrail and Helicopter Pad can be contained while the challenge provided by erosion can be utilized. The Caliber study endorses this position.
To me, personally the bottom line issues are these:
1. The Forest Service, my employee, has demonstrated malfeasance in managing my property and should be held accountable. The FOIA documents provided by the FS prove that dollars, granted maybe small amounts to them, were misappropriated and misspent.
2. The Forest Service, an arm of my government, has acted badly in taking from us, the 4wd community, time and money to help them manage their responsibilities and then closed the park leaving us nothing in return for our help. Just another form of taxation without representation. I feel the 4wd community has been used badly by the FS and has acted in an unethical and immoral manner in dealing us.
