got some news earlier today --that they are taking bids --at tellico --to tear out all pipes and small bridges --this means --full closure--has any one else seen this --i will try to post the site this was on . 1 to 5 million dollar project --go to FED BIZ OPPS.GOV ---search --recovery tellico trail obliteration --nantahala national forest --north carolina ---item no. --ag-44195-10-0581 ----posted april 19th --there are other posts for work

wouldnt surprise me

Well this would be a good time to cut loose with the top secret lawsuit that has been in work for the past year or so.

Now or never!

There is no lawsuit and the money theyve collected for it, is being spent on cocktails at the local watering hole. I hate to tell all you folks who believed in the SFWDA but you got scammed!

got some news earlier today --that they are taking bids --at tellico --to tear out all pipes and small bridges --this means --full closure--has any one else seen this --i will try to post the site this was on . 1 to 5 million dollar project

or they could just do nothing, it will cost nothing, and open it back up and use it to MAKE money. :shaking:

updated 1st post with site

Thanks for the heads up. Stimulus Funds in good use.

https://www.fbo.gov/notices/cfd79408834a3f9953aefb06b3300338

https://www.fbo.gov/download/18d/18d9a8aeda6910c328e18161523ba046/Exhibit_1_-_Drawings.pdf

i'm speechless :(

So even if the lawsuit works, by the time it happens there won't be any damn trails to ride anyway. FS has had this planned for years! I still hate rainbow trout though!

this has been planned for years --certain local folks knew things --i also have enjoyed the area since the mid 80's --at least there are some good memories !!!!!!

Thats what ive been saying from the beginning. The trails at Tellico are probably gone and fighting for gravel roads is what theyre doing.

Thats what ive been saying from the beginning. The trails at Tellico are probably gone and fighting for gravel roads is what theyre doing.

I agree, even if we did win a law suit then I believe the f/s would just have to open some gravel roads somewhere and they would call it an orv trail!

so here is the million dollar question... why the FUCK did the, insert appropriate organization here, not sue the forest service when the waiting period ended? it seems everyone whit 1/4 of a brain already knew they were gonna tell us to fuck off. all the legal stuff should have been planing this from day one. again... thanks southern for completely dropping the fucking ball on our behalf.

the only true blame here is the government --not people trying to stand up or fight --this has been coming --there are some rocks that can't be moved --this one is the narrow minded forest service --backed by the government --thats where the blame goes ---some things fail --in this case --orv --in tellico --and it seems to be growing everywhere --side note --my piece of shit cab trk --probably not worth a good set of high end golf clubs !!!!

Please tell me I have not been donating money to fund a suit that will not start before this f'ing deconstruction starts.

I know it is coming............:(

*WARNING - sarcastic response to follow*

Since they are removing all the things that I'm sure trail workers spent countless hours and money installing, does that mean those groups will get a refund?!?

Excerpts from the FS document
http://www.nc4x4.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=25631&stc=1&d=1272859297

http://www.nc4x4.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=25630&stc=1&d=1272859297

http://www.nc4x4.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=25629&d=1272859191






just from the verb they chose speaks volumes, "Obliteration". Way to be subtle FS!!

You guys see the date that the FS documented was signed? --> 2/25/2010
I wonder how that plays into the timeline of the events that has transpired?

Either way, it's a done deal with no hope of anything like it used to be.

:mad3:

This doesnt suprise me one bit. Ive always thought that there was someone with an ass of power that had a personal aggenda to close it and now its a reality. I vote to start a Harlan section and take Tellico off the board. Any town that allows 4 wheelers, side by sides and dirt bikes to ride up and down the streets is a town that appreciates the revenue we bring and will fight with us when push comes to shove.

If I had donated money to the so called lawsuit I would be DEMANDING my money back extremely loudly or at the very least open the books so I can see how it was spent. Luckily I didn't because I could already tell Southern didn't know their ass from a hole in the ground on this one. Wasn't hard to figure out :shaking:

This doesnt suprise me one bit. Ive always thought that there was someone with an ass of power that had a personal aggenda to close it and now its a reality. I vote to start a Harlan section and take Tellico off the board. Any town that allows 4 wheelers, side by sides and dirt bikes to ride up and down the streets is a town that appreciates the revenue we bring and will fight with us when push comes to shove.

i second this, maybe leave tellico for a little while but definetly add harlen, its the best thing the east coast has.

Unfortunatly this seems to have been in the works for a looong time no amount of money, lawyers, protests, and following the law will ever change the outcome. Our goverment is an overfunded, debt ridden, broke-ass poorly run business. A crooked business at that and being that they are the biggest "business" nothing is going to stop them from doing whatever they want.....

The Forest Service never wanted us there. You could tell it by the way they acted.
I said it before and I will say it again, non of this would have happed if the town of Murphy would have stood up and said hell no!
Without the support of the local people it is a lost cause.

This doesnt suprise me one bit. Ive always thought that there was someone with an ass of power that had a personal aggenda to close it and now its a reality. I vote to start a Harlan section and take Tellico off the board. Any town that allows 4 wheelers, side by sides and dirt bikes to ride up and down the streets is a town that appreciates the revenue we bring and will fight with us when push comes to shove.


I agree 100%

I don't get on here much but need to rant.
Never been but wanted to go. Signed plenty of petitions and gave money too.

But what pisses me off more is this

Price range: Between $1,000,000 and $5,000,000

why didn't they take that money and fix the fuckin trails?
:mad3:

why didn't they take that money and fix the fuckin trails?
:mad3:

because they, the fs, never wanted us there in the first place. hopefully, now that the ohv is gone they will not have a need for the rangers there. hopefully they are fired or transferred to some shitty assignment.

I don't get on here much but need to rant.
Never been but wanted to go. Signed plenty of petitions and gave money too.

But what pisses me off more is this



why didn't they take that money and fix the fuckin trails?
:mad3:

Because IMO they want to develpe the area. The last time I was there, there were power boxes of some sort all the way to the pay station,which is a good hike up a dirt road. Then with the paving and logging going on. I'd bet it won't be long and you will see houses up there.

this might just be my opinion because i really dont know what the blue and southern are up to BUT what i understand is that they are still fighting it but the Forestry Service is doing whatever they want regardless of what the people want on our side of the fence... only reason we got to voice our opinions in the matter in the first place was because its required by law for them to hear us out before the matter was decided upon, and they went ahead and closed it even with the overwhelming uproar that came at them... now they are going to obliterate the trails before we have a chance to "review" the reopening in i think 2012? there wont be any trails by then if they get their way. and no one can stop them... atleast we havent found a way to stop them... minority rules, gotta love democracy...

...Our goverment is an overfunded, debt ridden, broke-ass poorly run business. A crooked business at that and being that they are the biggest "business" nothing is going to stop them from doing whatever they want.....

Couldn't agree more. Just kills me when people say stuff like, "...and that's why I don't vote." I hope everybody remembers this come election time.

Unfortunately I see all national forrests going this route. It happened in Ocala. They closed down 90% of what there was to ride, but they claimed they'd give us a trail to ride and give the ORV guys specific places that would be fun and challenging to wheel. You know what we got? Dirt roads with no elevation change, no water, nothing you couldn't drive in an average 2WD pickup. Thanks for nothing forrest service. Sell that lumber, subsidize the shit out of the logging industry, and screw over the TAXPAYERS who fund it all. Now nobody can utilize the forest at all for the most part.

Total bullshit. Is the government just inventing new ways to waste money? It's bad enough that it's closed, but now wasting millions on undoing culverts and a couple of dinky bridges, wtf? This government is giving us "change", change for infinite debt.

What a load of crap. I am dumbfounded, after all the man hours and work that Southern 4WD, STLCA, Georgia Cruisers & Bounty Runners put into maintaining and improving the Tellico trails back in the 90's and 2K's this is such a disappointment to see the government treating tax payers this way. Not to mention that the fish they use as one of their excuses are not even indigenous to that region.. ugghh

Does k9crazy not have a comment on this?
Where is the money?

Does k9crazy not have a comment on this?
Where is the money?

they are still in the super duper top secret double closed doors meeting formulating a killer legal case.

k9crazy had a baby and she's been off the reservation for a while now. I can't blame her. the only place to get a response from the leadership is the SFWDA board. it's slow over there but they do get around to answering some of the questions. The president (DSLTOY) stops by a coupel times a day.

Someone better step up with some Fawking answers :mad3::mad3::mad3:

There is no lawsuit and the money theyve collected for it, is being spent on cocktails at the local watering hole. I hate to tell all you folks who believed in the SFWDA but you got scammed!

That's one serious allegation right there...you have proof to back it up?

No proof to prove that comment, but also not evidence to dissprove it. I don't think our money was spent on cocktails, but it was obviously wasted, b/c we have absolutely nothing to show for the money we gave.

There is no lawsuit and the money theyve collected for it, is being spent on cocktails at the local watering hole. I hate to tell all you folks who believed in the SFWDA but you got scammed!

Well then what is this?

http://utvweekly.com/index.php/2010/05/recreational-groups-take-next-step-to-save-tellico/

Well then what is this?

http://utvweekly.com/index.php/2010/05/recreational-groups-take-next-step-to-save-tellico/

that, my friend is a dollar late and a day short.

from the article...

"May 7)–Organizations dedicated to active recreation management today announced their latest efforts to save access to the Upper Tellico OHV System. The Southern Four Wheel Drive Association, United Four Wheel Drive Associations, and the BlueRibbon Coalition filed a Notice of Intent to sue with"

and...
“The agency’s actions do not surprise us, but are cause for deep concern,” said Roger Theurer, President of the Southern Four Wheel Drive Association."

so my question... again, if the FS was never expected to comply with our request then why... why was the lawsuit not ready to go as soon as the deadline expired. that is what bothers me the most...

ok, so he is what we do... lets enact the system. says here we have an allotted amount of time before we can sue. ok, what should we do? i do not know, lets have a fundraiser. great idea, do you think we should prepare our case? naw, we cannot sue yet. we can start preparing then. :rolleyes:

That's one serious allegation right there...you have proof to back it up?

I have proof that theres no lawsuit, only a NOI, which in my book aint worth anything now, it might have been 2 years ago. As far as the cocktails go,NO, only using it for reference. So I take the time now to say, if I called anyone an alcoholic and it wasnt truely justified,I'm sorry but there has to be a reason the whole Tellico thing was BOTCHED!

For you people who still believe the SFWDA is going to save Tellico, I'm sorry


Why isnt the SFWDA actively involved in the southeast? In 4WD areas?

I'm tired of asking that but its a good one!

A NOI is like talking shit and pushing around before a fight. Ain't nothing going to get done till someone throws a punch. When do we throw a punch? We've already been punched in the face like 10 times, we do we punch back?

Everyone needs a good sea lawyer, no shortage of them here!

The statement posted by JC on the attached link seems to have some confidence behind it. Maybe, just maybe something has been happening that has not been announced for the very reasons we have been told. Damn I hope so.

http://sfwda.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=379&PID=1948#1948

Found this:

https://www.fbo.gov/index?s=opportunity&mode=form&tab=core&id=9364c749e2ab0a4dcc714116a4645feb&_cview=1

Regarding the bidding process......

Freakin' stinks.

Its a done deal and there is nothing that POS org. can do now. They've waited to late to do anything, they have taken everyones hard earned money and havent done shit.

I'm sorry in the beginning I gave them the time of day, It will be hard for me to trust another offroad organization, theyve ruined it for me.

If I was rich, Id buy the land and create the country of Tellicomoabo. Unless you own a 4X4, the town would be inaccessible, being the exit off the expressway would be a 50' climb through rocks.:flipoff2:

I have proof that theres no lawsuit, only a NOI, which in my book aint worth anything now, it might have been 2 years ago.

A NOI is like talking shit and pushing around before a fight.

A NOI, Notice Of Intent, is a procedural prerequisite to bringing suit against the FS under The Clean Water Act. Any attempt to bring suit without filing a NOI would immediately be thrown out of court on procedural grounds.

Granted it could be seen as a shot across the bow because filing a NOI doesn't require that you bring a suit, but that is not SFWDAs intent.

A NOI, Notice Of Intent, is a procedural prerequisite to bringing suit against the FS under The Clean Water Act. Any attempt to bring suit without filing a NOI would immediately be thrown out of court on procedural grounds.

Granted it could be seen as a shot across the bow because filing a NOI doesn't require that you bring a suit, but that is not SFWDAs intent.

And what is the response to this?
https://www.fbo.gov/index?s=opportunity&mode=form&tab=core&id=9364c749e2ab0a4dcc714116a4645feb&_cview=1

Can the FS proceed with having this done while we are tied up in the courts (if that happens). At that point, what's the point? Tons of our money was spent to build those bridges and silt traps. I would be trying to file a motion to put a hold on any action pertaining to the trail system.

Just look what Trout Unlimited was able to acomplish with just a NOI.

I am satisfied that SOME movement has transpired.I hope not too late to save some form of OHV recreation at Tellico but it will never be the same as it was 3 years ago, that is fact.

Access is what we are fighting for.
The old "signature" trails may be gone but it's a big place with lots of opertunity for new trails.

Access is what we are fighting for.
The old "signature" trails may be gone but it's a big place with lots of opertunity for new trails.

I don't have a problem with new trails there... IMHO, smart trail design and management would likely get us far better trails in better locations with more variety.

Where is the money?

Not sure what money you are talking about :confused:

If you are a member of SFWDA and you or your club donated money toward the Rescue Tellico effort then you would be able to talk to the SFWDA treasurer at any SFWDA meeting and get the info you want. You could probably do that if you came to a meeting even if you weren't a member :)

If you are not a member of the organization but donated to the RT effort you probably did so with the idea that SFWDA would use the funds as they saw best. No funds were accepted with any stipulations involved as to how they should be spent.

Just because I donate $100 to Samaratins Purse to help with flood rebuilding efforts in Atlanta does not give me the right to demand to know exactly how that money is spent. I gave it willingly, understanding that they would use it as they saw best and trusting their judgment to do so.

IMO, donations to the RT effort fall under the same working hypothesis. They were given in good faith, they are being used in good faith. Anyone who wants them to be used a certain way should be a part of the process in deciding how they are spent!

Not sure what money you are talking about :confused:

If you are a member of SFWDA and you or your club donated money toward the Rescue Tellico effort then you would be able to talk to the SFWDA treasurer at any SFWDA meeting and get the info you want. You could probably do that if you came to a meeting even if you weren't a member :)

If you are not a member of the organization but donated to the RT effort you probably did so with the idea that SFWDA would use the funds as they saw best. No funds were accepted with any stipulations involved as to how they should be spent.

Just because I donate $100 to Samaratins Purse to help with flood rebuilding efforts in Atlanta does not give me the right to demand to know exactly how that money is spent. I gave it willingly, understanding that they would use it as they saw best and trusting their judgment to do so.

IMO, donations to the RT effort fall under the same working hypothesis. They were given in good faith, they are being used in good faith. Anyone who wants them to be used a certain way should be a part of the process in deciding how they are spent!


but if nothing comes of the lawsuit with the FS and the SFWDA doesnt really do anything else around here, what then?

I don't have a problem with new trails there... IMHO, smart trail design and management would likely get us far better trails in better locations with more variety.

i would also be good with new and improved trails but lets be realistic. the old ones went to shit because either, A. the FS was too lazy to keep them up or B. the FS would not let southern keep them up. so 5 years from now we are shut down, again, by some hippie anti access group.

now my real grip is once B. went down then southern said... oh well, lets have a clean up instead and hope it gets better. this is where you start making noise and show how fucked up and lazy the FS is. this would be a good offensive campaign instead of being in the mess we are in now.

i would also be good with new and improved trails but lets be realistic. the old ones went to shit because either, A. the FS was too lazy to keep them up or B. the FS would not let southern keep them up. so 5 years from now we are shut down, again, by some hippie anti access group.

now my real grip is once B. went down then southern said... oh well, lets have a clean up instead and hope it gets better. this is where you start making noise and show how fucked up and lazy the FS is. this would be a good offensive campaign instead of being in the mess we are in now.


Your right, the SFWDA should be proving how incompetant the FS is, as well as showing how good they are with ongoing programs at other OHV areas,including the ones on private land.

The SFWDA make alot of claims on thier website they dont do.

It'd be interesting to compare the FS's cost of "obliterating" the trails vs. how much repair could have been done. IIRC the most expensive option in the EA would have been $7 million? The 3 potential contracts on the gov biz web site could be almost $6mil...I sent an email to the FS asking about this. I also went back over their EA a bit to see what their projections were for closing the trails then. It looked like their one time captial expense projection was $2 mil to close it. I've got nothing left but time to write letters now. Foreclosure sale of my business is in 2 weeks.

Well I say let's put together the best bid for the demo party and let the place go down in glory while it's wrapped up in legal battles. Let them pay us to wheel up the trail and "work" on whatever. :grinpimp:

either way it sucks but it would be kind of fun to play their own game. Submit the best bid and get around the performance bond or come up with a claim that there are archealogicial artifacts on site just discovered and lock the place down to any change until the conservancy group certifies there are no artifacts of historical significance, that could take the govt about 2-3 years to do and it's not a division of the FS :evil:

but if nothing comes of the lawsuit with the FS and the SFWDA doesnt really do anything else around here, what then?

What lawsuit?

there is NO lawsuit, and there wont ever BE any lawsuit.

SFWDA took the cash donations , apparently and evidently never had ANY intention of filing a lawsuit.

Day late and a dollar short....
Too say I'm dissappointed with SFWDA's efforts would be an understatement :shaking:

What lawsuit?

there is NO lawsuit, and there wont ever BE any lawsuit.

SFWDA took the cash donations , apparently and evidently never had ANY intention of filing a lawsuit.

Agreed.




I'm not only dissatisfied with the SFWDA's efforts on Tellico, I'm dissatisfied with everything they havent did and the numbers are growing real fast

Because of personal reasons (pregnant and work) I've had to bow out of Southern for a while.

That being said, I am THRILLED at the timing of the NOI and the RFP soliciting bids for the "obliteration" of the trails.

The one thing they kept saying over and over again in the EA is that it was too expensive to repair the trails to the state needed to protect the damn fish. Now, they are proposing MILLIONS of dollars of work just to close the. Well over the amount Southern said it would take to fix them.

I think the timing is perfect. File the NOI, wait 60 days, file the suit, use the RFP to "prove" they never had the intent but did have the money and are full of shit, rock on.

i posted this --from a friend ----been there done that --i as others hope ????--but --we will see --what's at the end of the tunnel ----------

The one thing they kept saying over and over again in the EA is that it was too expensive to repair the trails to the state needed to protect the damn fish. Now, they are proposing MILLIONS of dollars of work just to close the. Well over the amount Southern said it would take to fix them.

.
I wouldn't put all my eggs in that basket.
Obliteration is a one time expense versus the cost of repairing and maintaining forever. They can probably also claim that they have stimulus/jobs money they need to spend.

Those that are out of work- go to usajobs.gov The forestry service is hiring. Get a nice benefit laden job and turn a deaf ear to the 4x4 roaring past you.

That being said, I am THRILLED at the timing of the NOI and the RFP soliciting bids for the "obliteration" of the trails.

The one thing they kept saying over and over again in the EA is that it was too expensive to repair the trails to the state needed to protect the damn fish. Now, they are proposing MILLIONS of dollars of work just to close the. Well over the amount Southern said it would take to fix them.

I think the timing is perfect. File the NOI, wait 60 days, file the suit, use the RFP to "prove" they never had the intent but did have the money and are full of shit, rock on.



RIght about that.

The USFS whined that they had no money for maintaining the trails or even creating new trails and closing the old ones, and now they have $6 million to obliterate the trails?????

They dont have to spend hardly anything to obliterate the old trails, plant a few trees sling out some grass seed and in a few years they will be gone.

I and I think everyone else I know, would have NO problem with the USFS improoving the existing trails, turning them into a gravel road like most
USFS roads, to eliminate the sediment in the river, and then creating new challenging trails further away from the river to eliminate any sediment.


$ 6 million would be plenty to accomplish creating new trails, since volunteer labor would be plentiful, the only cost would be diesel fuel for the USFS owned equipment and and culverts.

Really wish we could get some publicity for this, and with the USFS itching to spend $ 6 million when they could spend less than one million to gravel the existing trails and build new ones, maybe some radio talkshow host like Herman Cain or Boortz or TV station would give some time to it, if they got enough calls or emails about it, lots of TV stations are doing segments on wasted stimulus money.


Someone should also show up at the bid meeting for the "interested parties" and see whats going on, and then at the end remind the prospective bidders and the USFS rep that a lawsuit may be pending and possibly some protesters and TV camers could show up if they begin to obliterate the trails.
But if the $6 mil the USFS wants to spend is stimulus money, they have to spend it quick, they are required to do so.

What lawsuit?

there is NO lawsuit, and there wont ever BE any lawsuit.



Agreed.




Wrong. It's coming - watch and see.

Oh my goodness....

BLUERIBBON COALITION, INC.

MEDIA RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Roger Theurer, Southern Four Wheel Drive Association
(931) 841-0672
Greg Mumm, BlueRibbon Coalition
(208) 244-2112
Date: May 18, 2010

TELLICO LAWSUIT FILED

POCATELLO, ID (May 18)--The next chapter in the Save Tellico saga began today as suit was filed to stop agency efforts to eliminate long-existing routes at the Upper Tellico OHV System. The suit was filed by Southern Four Wheel Drive Association, United Four Wheel Drive Associations, and BlueRibbon Coalition in U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina.

"This is a logical and necessary action in our effort to restore some form of meaningful OHV access to the System," said Roger Theurer, President of Southern Four Wheel Drive Association. "The entire premise behind this closure- that water quality is uniquely flawed in the Tellico River- is simply untrue. We hope through this suit for an opportunity to present the full story," Theurer concluded.

On April 19, 2010, the Forest Service posted a solicitation for bids, seeking contractors to perform various tasks to rehabilitate, obliterate, or otherwise decommission the bulk of existing roads on the OHV System. According to the complaint, routes historically used for vehicle travel may be fundamental to other forms of recreation, and possible impacts on non-motorized recreation activities have not been analyzed by the Forest.

"We prefer to work collaboratively with the Forest to provide appropriate vehicle-based recreation opportunities in the area," observed Greg Mumm, BlueRibbon Executive Director. "We remain committed to such prospects, but faced little option short of filing suit to preserve reasonable alternatives involving the System. These roads are literally on the verge of being removed from the landscape," Mumm concluded.

A copy of the complaint may be viewed at: http://www.sharetrails.org/uploads/Complaint_FILED_05-18-10.pdf

# # #

The BlueRibbon Coalition is a national recreation group that champions responsible use of public and private lands, and encourages individual environmental stewardship. It represents over 10,000 individual members and 1,200 organization and business members, for a combined total of over 600,000 recreationists nationwide. 1-800-258-3742. www.sharetrails.org

United Four Wheel Drive Associations is an international organization comprised of four wheel drive enthusiasts, clubs, associations, and businesses dedicated to providing community services around the world, education in responsible land use and safe vehicle operation, and protection of our natural resources through conservation practices. 1-800-448-3932. www.ufwda.org

Southern Four Wheel Drive Association (SFWDA) was founded in 1987 to promote responsible land use and to keep public lands accessible for motorized recreation. For more information on the activities and accomplishments of Southern Four Wheel Drive Association, please visit www.sfwda.org or contact us at 1483 N. Mt. Juliet Road, PMB # 222, Mt. Juliet, TN 37122

Link to the Filing...http://www.sharetrails.org/uploads/Complaint_FILED_05-18-10.pdf

That ought to quiet a few , or at least allow them to taste their foot for a moment

That ought to quiet a few , or at least allow them to taste their foot for a moment


Sounds like alot of faith in your statement there.

That ought to quiet a few , or at least allow them to taste their foot for a moment

lol... nice, too bad this did not happen when the original time period expired. i am glad something came of it but i would bet that it is way too late now. hopefully i am wrong but i doubt it.

That ought to quiet a few , or at least allow them to taste their foot for a moment



Im very happy to admit I was wrong.

The years of inaction had me convinced that nothing was ever gonna happen.


Will also allow us to feel good about making a donation.
Be making a donation to help the fight soon.

Just saw this on the bid site


Contract Award Date:
May 28, 2010
Contract Award Number:
AG-4419-C-10-0432
Contract Award Dollar Amount:
$1,041,851.00
Contractor Awarded Name:
Williams Construction & Cabinetry, Inc.
Contractor Awarded Address:
7860 Yellow Creek RD
Robbinsville, North Carolina 28771
United States

I hope we have a legal means to stop this before it starts. Anyone know?

Just saw this on the bid site


Contract Award Date:
May 28, 2010
Contract Award Number:
AG-4419-C-10-0432
Contract Award Dollar Amount:
$1,041,851.00
Contractor Awarded Name:
Williams Construction & Cabinetry, Inc.
Contractor Awarded Address:
7860 Yellow Creek RD
Robbinsville, North Carolina 28771
United States


i figured this news would stir some commotion.

The lawsuit would be a moot point if all the trails got 'obliterated' before it even went to court. It'd still be worth trying to save Tellico in general, but all the time & money that SFWDA has put in to building the bridges, silt traps, etc!? It would be nice to keep those (if we do have a fortunate outcome in the case). Hopefully they can get some sort of 'hold' put on the 'obliteration' :mr-t:

"Williams Construction & Cabinetry, Inc."

Wow, a cabinet maker is gonna be obliterating these historical trails, does that seem strange to anyone else??

What's Southern's reply to all this? Surely if they filed suit there is a way to get a stay in place for the "obliteration."

IIRC the suit that was filed was to stop the trail obliteration, and Southern had to wait a certain amount of time after the NOI, maybe 60 days, to file suit to have the trail reopened.

IIRC the suit that was filed was to stop the trail obliteration, and Southern had to wait a certain amount of time after the NOI, maybe 60 days, to file suit to have the trail reopened.

this is my understanding.

Is there any official word on whether the suit has stopped the proceedings? Case numbers,???

yargh!

bump.

:yawn: Any updates...

Hey Guys,,
I'm new to this forum and I live near the Tellico area and have ridden motorcycles in there for years. Regretfully, the update is that the companies that have the contracts to close these trail have been working in there for several days. I've been told by a friend that was at Fain Ford last Sat. (July 24) that they were using a dozer in places and cutting trees down in the roads and were seeding the ground.
:eek:
Wish that I had better news
mxcr

That sucks ass. So much for the leagal "action" to stop this BS.

great so even if we win the suit there will be no place to wheel. congwadulations

I'd like to hear someone back this up or see a picture before I go screaming the sky is falling.

There's a lady at USFS Tusquittee Ranger station that will be glad to tell you about it. 828-837-5152
Also, as of Mon. (Aug.2) Trail #1 which is the gravel road will be closed at Harshaw Gap for 3 to 4 months to be re-routed.

And where is Southern on this...no where to be found

As far as I'm concerned, just refund everyone's "Save Tellico Fund" at this point or use it to open up another private park. Once the trails are obliterated, who cares what happens with the suit.

You'd might as well cut some trails in your back yard at that point.

I posted this on the Southern board and I know it's been sent out through the leadership list. I'll let you know if I hear anything.

I just pooped my pants and feel like I accomplished more to save Tellico than Southern has.

I juts saw this on the Southern board.

From Dave Logan:

"Yes, the contractor is in Tellico working on the trails.

Trails 4 and 6 are being smoothed for easy access, the remaining trails are being decommisioned."

I've asked what is the deal with lawsuit now that this is happening. I'll let you know what I find out.

And the latest reply:

The lawsuit is still proceeding as well as some short term strategies...
That's all I can say on a public forum.

Rest assured that Southern is on top of things


Edited by Dave Logan - Today at 9:02pm.

more on the subject and some words from the pres of Southern.

http://www.sfwda.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=386&SID=9f35c2zdbe682c99c2597fa63534431a

And !!!!!!

There's a lady at USFS Tusquittee Ranger station that will be glad to tell you about it. 828-837-5152
Also, as of Mon. (Aug.2) Trail #1 which is the gravel road will be closed at Harshaw Gap for 3 to 4 months to be re-routed.

we were up there in march, and there already was a branch of road that vered off trail 1 and headed downward for SEVERAL miles as opposed to trail 1 which heads up the mountain. we drove a good bit of it, and could see the intention to use it to replace trail 1.

It's the steep set of switchbacks on #1 that they're going to re-route. It's pretty close to where the private road with the gate is.
I rode thru that road (#1) today, just looking around.
State Line (#6) is a gravel road now,, and there was a dozer parked a
little way up #4.
My intention with my original post,, was just to let everybody know what is happening in there.

Its just that much closer to developement now. Southern says than cant say but so much on a public forum, but you know what, it seems kinda at the stage of what have you got to lose now. I mean how do you expect someone to donate and then be left completely in the dark. They are preceding with their origianl plan no matter what the courts say and thats obvious.

And the latest reply:

The lawsuit is still proceeding as well as some short term strategies...
That's all I can say on a public forum.

Rest assured that Southern is on top of things


Edited by Dave Logan - Today at 9:02pm.

man, i feel a crap ton better now. i was starting to worry

more on the subject and some words from the pres of Southern.

http://www.sfwda.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=386&SID=9f35c2zdbe682c99c2597fa63534431a

is southern's website down now?

is southern's website down now?

Works for me.

Works for me.

weird... its working now

this blows my mind:


"As Dave said we are continuing the battle, the US attorney representing the FS has stated that the rehab work being done will not affect future negotiations.

We discovered when we reviewed the paper work we received under the FOIA that the FS turn[ed] in unspent RTP funds for several years before the trail closure and NC said if the FS would have requested and used the money they would have given them more. They had money to fix the trails but did not. In 2007 Southern did major work on the trails but we were unable to get the FS to provide all the materials we needed, we were told they did not have the funds, yet they turned in $ 49,000 in unused RTP funds that year.
I have been told but have no proof that the funds for rehabbing are from the Obama economic stimulus fund"

this blows my mind:


"As Dave said we are continuing the battle, the US attorney representing the FS has stated that the rehab work being done will not affect future negotiations.

We discovered when we reviewed the paper work we received under the FOIA that the FS turn[ed] in unspent RTP funds for several years before the trail closure and NC said if the FS would have requested and used the money they would have given them more. They had money to fix the trails but did not. In 2007 Southern did major work on the trails but we were unable to get the FS to provide all the materials we needed, we were told they did not have the funds, yet they turned in $ 49,000 in unused RTP funds that year.
I have been told but have no proof that the funds for rehabbing are from the Obama economic stimulus fund"

Thats just proof that they don't want the trails maintained. 49k left over. And thats just for that year, think of the funds that were turned back in years ago when they never did shit. I missed the days of riding long trails. Id bet my paycheck there will be houses up there within a few years. The last time I was up there they had run power all the way up to the pay station. :shaking: What else could that be for?

What else could that be for?

Electric filet knives for the trout... DUH!

I think that the idea about houses being built up there is on track,, especially up Beaverdam Bald. The story about the trout is about as lame an excuse as they could have come up with.:mad3:

You may find some info here :http://www.funoutdoors.info/search.aspx

if thats true my cabin will sky rocket in price lol

ANy new word. I "heard" there was a new scenic highway going in up there. Does the proposed interstate have anything to do with the trails being closed?

maybe? there was an article in Blue Ridge Outdoors about the interstate proposal, but who knows. The 'Man' is just gonna keep on keeping us down! Here's something I just found that might be applicable --> http://www.stopi3.org/


maps of the proposed interstate options --> http://www.stopi3.org/maps.php

When I was up there a few weeks ago there was an article in the Cherokee Times about the temporary closure of 420-1, the road in from the NC side. Other than that I haven't heard much through the grapevines of people I know in the area.

The last time I was up there they had run power all the way up to the pay station. :shaking: What else could that be for?It's now run down were Lower was @ woodbridge.
Lots of logging also going on on upper 2.
420 was open last week end,Though single tracked(very little traffic) all the way from Murphy pay building to stateline camp ground.

So are they about to release all that FS land for Development?

So are they about to release all that FS land for Development?

Where did you get that from???? I highly doubt that any significant land will be 'released' for development. Now logging occurs frequently but that is a whole 'nother ball of wax.

Where did you get that from???? I highly doubt that any significant land will be 'released' for development. Now logging occurs frequently but that is a whole 'nother ball of wax.

Why else would they be laying power down trail 1. If that is what I thought was said in another post in this thread.