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View Full Version : The US Forest Service is proposing new rules and restrictions at Tellico


offroadohio
01-11-2006, 05:27 PM
Got this is the mail from Ohio Multi Use trail association.


Dear BRC Action Alert Subscriber, For many years, OHV enthusiasts in eastern states have been assisting BRC and other organizations defend recreational access to prized public lands in the American west. Folks have generously donated money as well as taken time from work and family to write comment letters regarding various western public lands issues even though, frankly, they will probably never visit the areas at issue. Today, it is time for OHV enthusiasts across the Nation to come to the aid of our brothers and sisters in the eastern US. SITUATION: The US Forest Service is proposing new rules and restrictions at Tellico. The Southern Four Wheel Drive Association has reviewed the proposed restrictions and found many of them arbitrary and unfair. SFWDA is trying to convince the FS that solutions other than closure are best. Support for rational solutions  not closure  is needed to help SFWDA and other OHV groups protect the trails at Tellico. (Never heard of Tellico? See the PS below.) WHAT YOU NEED TO DO: Send a quick email to the U.S. Forest Service using the comments suggestions below. Although personal letters are always best, simply pasting the comments into an email is acceptable to show national support for the solutions offered by local OHV clubs. PLEASE DO THIS TODAY! The public comment period runs through close of business on January 13, 2006. IMPORTANT NOTE: The Southern Four Wheel Drive Association has worked hand-in-glove with the FS on maintenance of the trails at Tellico. The total estimated value of volunteer labor and equipment was no less than $55,000! We find it extremely disturbing that the agency rewards this with unfair closure! EMAIL INSTRUCTIONS: Address your email to: R E Vann, Tusquitee District Ranger revann@fs.fed.us (You must include your name and address for your comments to be considered.) Dear Ranger Vann, I have learned of proposed restrictions regarding several trails in the Upper Tellico OHV Area. The Tellico area is highly valuable recreational resource with National significance. I strongly urge you to utilize all resources except closure to address resource issues. I support the recommendations of the Southern Four Wheel Drive Associations and request that you consider their input. Sincerely, YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS. Thank you in advance for your action on this important matter. Brian Hawthorne Public Lands Director BlueRibbon Coalition 208-237-1008 ext 102 PS: When referring to the Upper Tellico OHV Area, a few words come to mind: Epic -- World Class  Gnarly  Rocky  Treacherous  ABSOLUTELY AWESOME! >From ATV Rider Magazine: The Upper Tellico OHV Area is located within the Nantahala National Forest, a short drive from Murphy, North Carolina, in the southwestern part of the state where it meets Tennessee and Georgia. The area gets its name from the Indian word meaning "land of the midday sun." And this is quite appropriate, because the forest has deep mountain gorges and valleys that are fully illuminated only when the sun is directly overhead. The land was heavily logged during the 1950s and '60s and later purchased by the USDA Forest Service. After a period of rehabilitation, Tellico was opened to OHV use and is now considered by many to offer some of the most challenging off-road riding in the country. More info on the web: Southern Four Wheel Drive Association http://www.sfwda.org/ ATV Rider Magazine Online: http://atvrideronline.com/hotspots/100_0312_hotspot/

Bobby Walter III
01-11-2006, 05:34 PM
ahhhhhhh yes. control.

Wanderer
01-12-2006, 08:25 AM
e-mail sent!

Tweeder
01-12-2006, 10:37 AM
email sent and message cross-posted to other boards.:toast:

CWOTNMAN
09-20-2007, 09:52 PM
The issue with Tellico is a very big-to-do here in my area.....and everywhere else. SFWDA and UFWDA are working the issue. Another reason for concern here is that if the opponents suceed, they may very well target other areas. From reading all the land-use things in all the forums/web sites I visit, it seems to me that opponents of motorized recreation are trying to wage a campaign against us everywhere. I am presently involved in the OHV4TN program here in Tennessee. We are wanting the state to step up and provide OHV parks.

zainyD
09-22-2007, 09:18 AM
I've been trying to keep up with the Tellico thread on Pirate4x4. Is there anything we can do other than monetary donations to the Blue Ribbon Coalition and such?

CWOTNMAN
09-22-2007, 10:06 AM
Try going to the Southern Four Wheel Drive Assoc. web site. Theres info there.

glfredrick
10-09-2007, 01:52 PM
They've gotten to Livingston (Comer's Ridge) as well...

In the past two weeks they have totally leveled and graveled the main access road that runs through the Livingston riding area and are now writing $400 tickets for anyone that places a tire off that road.

You can now run a car through the plumber's crack trail... :cry::bawl:

Bob Myers
10-14-2007, 08:51 PM
They've gotten to Livingston (Comer's Ridge) as well...

In the past two weeks they have totally leveled and graveled the main access road that runs through the Livingston riding area and are now writing $400 tickets for anyone that places a tire off that road.

You can now run a car through the plumber's crack trail... :cry::bawl:

misinformationmisinformationmisinformationmisinfor mationmisinformationmisinformation


The leveling and grading was limited to and at this time will only be for a road that accesses the Bustle cemetery down by the river. Pink Rock has a super hiway bypass around it and a nice gravel road across the old mud flats\playground. We went there today just as a reconnaissance trip. SOme really old markers in the cemetery, probably over 100 graves, oldest we found was dated 1796

Bob Myers
10-14-2007, 09:04 PM
They've gotten to Livingston (Comer's Ridge) as well...

.

You can now run a car through the plumber's crack trail... :cry::bawl:

Totally incorrect. If you take a car make sure you have your AAA paid up or at least take Donnies Eagle cause you aint going much farther than the first "Y" in the trail. Plummers crack, Table top, stairsteps and the School Bus trail are untouched, and according to the federal woods cop who stopped us today it will remain that way for several years.

glfredrick
10-14-2007, 09:16 PM
Good news, except what about the fines for going off of the main road? I have it on good report by a local London resident that almost lives on the Comer Ridge trails that this is so. I can't afford $400 just to ride. :shake:

Bob Myers
10-14-2007, 09:22 PM
You can follow the gravel road to its end and then run the river trail back up to the edge of the Interstate without fear. Also the turtle trail and school bus and their associated side roads are OK still. The lawdog simply told us to stay on main trails and stay off of hydroseeded road side climbs. We interrupted him while he was writing 5 tickets(good for $75.00 each) to 3 adults and 2 juvies, on ATV's, and that was all the info he offered us.