as many of you probably already know Rich mountain in Georgia is about to be closed. there is a law suite against it right now, and it has been temporaraly closed.

now is the time they are asking for the public opinion on it and what to do about it.

Well let's make the 4x4s voice finally get heard! alocal jeep club that frequents it is getting a drive together. the plan is to get as many 4x4 as they can get and all drive up to the court house and hand them our suggestions.

there sign up sheet is here:
www.southernjeeps.org/richmt/

the data is april 3rd.

WE NEED EVERYONE TO SHOW UP.

here's the original thread that started it:
http://www.southernjeeps.org/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=89

Will spread the word. ;)

Anyone that really cares about keeping our trails open MUST get involved on this.... we need all the help we can get. The greater number of people we get the great chance we have of keeping Rich Mtn open!

We aren't going to be able to make it all the way to Georgia (we're in Oregon) but you can be damned sure everyone here will be downloading the letter and signing the bottom to be handed over at the rally!
So remember that your signature helps when you can't!

If you are downloading the form letter and mailing it in - here is the address to do so...

Milt Webb
Southern Jeeps
400 Whitehead Road
Sugar Hill GA 30518

Date: Saturday - April 3, 2004
Staging Time: 7am - 9am
Starting Location: Town Center Mall
400 Barrett Parkway
Kennesaw, GA 30144
MapQuest Link
Destination: Forest Service Office
Toccoa Ranger District
6050 Appalachian Highway
Blue Ridge, Georgia 30513


Are you concerned that we are losing our Off-Road Trails? If your answer is YES, then join us April 3rd for the Rich Mountain Rally.

The Rich Mountain Rally is a grass-roots effort to inform the Toccoa District Forest Service of our opinions and comments regarding the decisions being made to close, re-open and/or maintain the Rich Mountain Road area for future off-road recreational purposes.

The Rally is a gathering of off-road enthusiasts that will convoy together to the Forest Service office, in Blue Ridge, and deliver 100's of comment letters to Forest Service officials. We will deliver the letters in person. We plan to arrive in Blue Ridge at 1:00pm. The starting time for the Rally will be determined once we have secured the staging area.

The Forest Service office in Blue Ridge has agreed to have representatives on-hand to meet us and accept the comment letters. Obviously, we won't be able to fit everyone into the F.S. parking lot. What we'll do is have several of the lead vehicles stop at the office to present the letters. The Rally group will continue in our best "parade formation" up the road a ways and them turn around. Once the letters are delivered the group will split up and find a place to eat, sight-see, etc.


OUR GOAL
500 Jeeps, 4X4 Trucks, SUV's, Hummers & other Off-Road Vehicles
Rich Mt. is a favorite trail to many who love the sport of Off-Roading. In case you didn't know, it's currently closed by the Forest Service pending a decision that will determine it's future. The closure was due in part to a lawsuit filed by the Georgia Forestwatch, an environmental activist group.

The Forest Service has issued the results of the Environmental Assessment which includes several possible alternative plans that will determine the future of the road. The public has been requested, and has a right, to comment on the alternative choices.

We think the Rich Mountain Rally will make a definitive statement, hopefully to the benefit of the growing number of off-road enthusiasts. It's time to be heard.

RALLY INFORMATION
The Rally will leave Atlanta early in the morning and head up I-75. The exact destination for the delivery of the letters is currently Blue Ridge, GA. This route will take us through Ellijay. We intend to have all police and city officials along the route notified of this event.

Sign up now and check back often for updates and new information. The location and starting times will be posted to this website.

If you want to help, or have a question please contact Milt Webb.