Flagging on the trails?

[Wes in TN]

Just got back from Tellico and there were orange and pink ribbons tied in trees along a lot of the trails. The orange ones were stations, (X+XX), they didn't seem to be in any certain interval. The pink ones were just numbered in sequence. Anyone know what they are about? Mapping the trails? Just curious.

[pdm]

Intersting. Why would anyone need to station out an alignment up there?

[tellicorob]

The Ribbons with the station #'s are for the engineering survey that the FS is doing. The ribbons with just #'s were for the trail work that we were doing.

[Wes in TN]

What sort of "engineering" work?

[Schmozilla]

I was there this weekend, what were you driving?

We ran School Bus on Sat. and Slick Rock on Sunday... I was in a white and Black YJ on 39 Krawlers.

[tellicorob]

The Forest Service put togather teams made up of Engineers, Hydrolgists,and Fisheries to survey the whole OHV area. The survey is supposed to tell them what needs to be done to maintain the area. They started with the trails within 100 feet of the streams. This part of the survey was completed before our (SFWDA) meeting with them on the 19th of November. They are analizing the first part of the data to decide if they need to put in the full winter closure, and what they need to do with lower 2, 9 ,and 7. They said that they would have a decision by the 1st of December. So far all that we have heard is that they are still looking at the survey results.

[Wes in TN]

I was there this weekend, what were you driving?

We ran School Bus on Sat. and Slick Rock on Sunday... I was in a white and Black YJ on 39 Krawlers.

I must have met your group coming up Schoolbus as I was coming down. I was behind a group of TJs followed by Timmy Cameron in the orange monster on boggers. I turned around when I heard the size of your group because of the rain and my lack of a top, so you probably never saw me. I only rode Saturday, I rode Lower 2, Upper 2 first then came up Gaurdrail and the Pad, that's where I hit traffic coming down Schoolbus and turned around. That was actually the most fun I had all day, I was humping it back out to trail one trying to stay somewhat dry.

[Wes in TN]

The Forest Service put togather teams made up of Engineers, Hydrolgists,and Fisheries to survey the whole OHV area. The survey is supposed to tell them what needs to be done to maintain the area. They started with the trails within 100 feet of the streams. This part of the survey was completed before our (SFWDA) meeting with them on the 19th of November. They are analizing the first part of the data to decide if they need to put in the full winter closure, and what they need to do with lower 2, 9 ,and 7. They said that they would have a decision by the 1st of December. So far all that we have heard is that they are still looking at the survey results.

I had heard rumors about the possible winter closure but never any details. I hope the engineers doing the study don't have an agenda. The means and methods behind hydrology/runoff studies can be very "subjective", it's not like 1+1 = 2, cut and dry science.

[k9crazy]

I had heard rumors about the possible winter closure but never any details. I hope the engineers doing the study don't have an agenda. The means and methods behind hydrology/runoff studies can be very "subjective", it's not like 1+1 = 2, cut and dry science.

EDIT: All trails will close Jan 1 2008 and will remain closed through April 1.

You are right about studies like this not being cut and dried. But unfortunately I think the FS does have an agenda, and that agenda is to avoid being sued by TU come hell or high water.

Time will tell.

[Bigcountry]

If they are worried about getting sued by TU and they shut it down then SFWDA should also file a suit against them and drain there pockets dry. Only thing is TU has ALOT more money than we do because people donate money to them all the time without knowing what they stand for and what they actually do with the money. We need to get together to continue to raise money to fight this or do our own independent study. Let us know how we can help. Thanks.

[Rockhales]

Hey Rob, How's Roy doing at the store?

[tellicorob]

Roy closed the store till March. There wasn't really alot of business in the winter, with the winter closure there won't be enough business to make keeping it open worth while.

[250f4life]

Just think of how many more are gonna shut down and the revenue lost in this little town that seems somewhat dependent on there stores being packed every weekend.

[navy-jeepster]

Just think of how many more are gonna shut down and the revenue lost in this little town that seems somewhat dependent on there stores being packed every weekend.

Maybe time for a economic impact research paper by someone local.
S small sampling of the businesses to see how much they have lost in sales from last year, to this year with the closure.

Sample some, and then find a general number of how many that would be, or could be effected by the closure to come to a final dollar figure for the area per weekend, or month?

Not that the Forest Service would really care, but the local officials may?

Todd

[250f4life]

Your right they would not care, just think how many tow rigs you see everytime you go to wal-mart. Not that they need it. It would be intersesting to see the loss on paper though. I have heard of communities out west that allow 4 wheelers to be ridin in town. Simply cause there are miles and miles of trails and its the biggest financial attraction for the town.

[Wes in TN]

Maybe time for a economic impact research paper by someone local.

The University of Tennessee Ag School did just a study back around '99-'00. I remember them handing out questionnaires at The Dixie Run that year.

[cj8lvr]

The Forest Service put togather teams made up of Engineers, Hydrolgists,and Fisheries to survey the whole OHV area. The survey is supposed to tell them what needs to be done to maintain the area. They started with the trails within 100 feet of the streams. This part of the survey was completed before our (SFWDA) meeting with them on the 19th of November. They are analizing the first part of the data to decide if they need to put in the full winter closure, and what they need to do with lower 2, 9 ,and 7. They said that they would have a decision by the 1st of December. So far all that we have heard is that they are still looking at the survey results.

Any idea if the report as a result of this "survey" is going to be made available to the public? I want a copy! My tax dollars paid for it.:mad3:

[tellicorob]

All of the Forest Service Reports are supposed to be available to the public. The engineers are still working on the survey as of this week(3/21/08). There is no telling when the report will be done. I'll try to post some info when we find out more. Rob.

[cj8lvr]

I appreciate it man.