Tellico Letter "Check In" Thread

[DRM]

No discussion here, just a place to check in to say you sent a letter, or how many you sent if more than one.

This is concerning the latest (June 2008) memo on proposed trail closings - not other issues in the past.

The Anderson Creek closure release stated that 365 letters were received on that issue, with the majority sent in favor of closure.

I would like to see that this thread show we can beat that #.

Also please state if you sent an email, or a call.

[DRM]

1 preliminary "quick & dirty" letter sent last week via postal mail

2 drawings my kids did with pre-printed comments about not closing Tellico - sent Tuesday (6-17-08) morning via postal mail

[tnxjjeeper]

One email sent on 6-14.

[TheInkFish]

Check

[dan58]

Sent via email.

[redman_30_06]

Done.

[bigjerm]

sent email.

Wish we would have known about the Anderson Creek issues. A lot of the GA clubs had no clue about it...

[Cj104]

i sent one a couple days ago via e-mail.

[rock-rod]

letter sent last week (by mail).

[Kurtuleas]

I sent two last week via e-mail. More to come this week when I have a little more time.

They can be read here:

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showp...5&postcount=41

and here:

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showp...9&postcount=46

I encourage people to PLEASE add into thier letters something along the lines of this:


I would like to bring your attention to this thread on Pirate4x4.com which is the largest 4x4 website in the world:

/forum/land-use-issues/676594-official-upper-tellico-virtual-rally-thread.html

In a span of just a few hours, nearly 1,000 people voiced thier concerns in a "Virtual, Online Rally" to protest the possible closures of the Tellico OHV area. They have posted arguments against the closures, plus pictures and testaments as to how important the Tellico area is to our community.

In that this process needs public input, I ask that you make that rally thread and all the comments within it as part of the public record and part of this process.

Let's make sure Nick's Tellico Rally is considered a comment.

[Trailworks]

Email sent 15 June , snail mail sent today, will probably send another one in a few days.

[momar]

email sent, if you wanta read it its in the "Bad News" thread

[krawler00]

Emailed out 6-19 and also did the research study and sent out today.

[5keepers]

I've sent numerous emails, mailed a couple of lengthy letters, and sent out the survey today.

[DAMRON QUEENER]

sent via snail mail

[broncomania79]

sent another letter.

[comeonstart]

I sent one today.
________
How to roll a blunt

[BoneCrusher]

I just finished the survey
Im writing an email
and after that Ill mail my snail mail

[MT4Runner]

Originally Posted by MT4Runner

Steve Lohr

District Ranger

Cheoah/Tusquitee Ranger Districts

123 Woodland Drive

Murphy, NC 28906



Re: Upper Tellico Off-Highway Vehicle Road and Trail System

Road and trail modifications and other management actions





Dear Ranger Lohr,




I am incredibly concerned that portions of the Tellico OHV area are slated for closure. As a responsible motorized user, it pains me to think that there are those who urge closures of areas where families can go to recreate together, particularly where resource damage is controlled and mitigeted, and people's choice of access is practiced responsibly.


Why are we seeing the closure of offroad parks where ethical four wheel-drive use is taught, expected, and practiced; when there are illegal areas where ignorant kids go out and tear things up.

Closing a place like Tellico is ruining an excellent outreach opportunity to educate those who don't know better. It is vital that we work together for our common future access to all the great lands in America.



From the USFS documentation:

As it exists today, the OHV System cannot be maintained adequately so as to limit future edimentation. The money and people available to do the maintenance are severely limited. While current user fees and volunteer efforts make an important contribution, they do not meet the current or projected need. The resources to do the work must increase dramatically, the long term maintenance requirements must decrease dramatically, or some combination of both must occur to financially maintain the Upper Tellico OHV System. I will be weighing each alternative OHV system in light of how likely it is that we will be able to maintain it in future years.



As a member of the Big Sky Four Wheelers club in northwestern Montana, we work tirelessly with the local recreation specialists in the Flathead National Forest. We use examples of OHV areas like Upper Tellico as a positive sample of how wheelers recreate responsibly with their families. We also do much of the “heavy lifting” using volunteer labor. Why haven’t the Nantahala NF and Tusquitee RD been receptive to using volunteer labor, equipment, and dollars to perform this necessary maintenance?

I love taking my 4 year-old and 6 year-old daughters out wheelin'. My oldest will ride along with her window down, no matter what the weather--when I first asked her why, she commented:

"Well, because, Dad, I want to smell the fresh air!"

Now she merely rolls down the window and I smile at her.

I love to mountain bike, I love to hike, I love to whitewater kayak. None of my other hobbies allow me to recreate with my young family as much as we can in our 4x4.



I oppose the reduction in trail miles from 39.5mi to 24mi.
I can support wet weather closures or engineered sediment-settlement systems (ponds or catchment basins) that would keep sediment out of the Nantahala River during the wet weather season
I oppose seasonal closures based on calendar dates and not actual weather/climate-based wet weather closures
I oppose the Status change of Trail 1 to become passable to street-legal vehicles. Without the trail’s current level of challenge, people will not travel from all over the Eastern United States to visit the area and support the local economy.
I oppose closures based on potential sediment contribution. Closures or changes should be made based upon only measureable, verifiable sediment contribution.






Finally, I would like to bring your attention to this thread on Pirate4x4.com which is the largest 4x4 website in the world:

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=676594



In a span of just a few hours, nearly 1,000 people voiced their concerns in a "Virtual, Online Rally" to protest the possible closures of the Tellico OHV area. They have posted arguments against the closures, plus pictures and testaments as to how important the Tellico area is to our community.




Respectfully,

x

[Tommy70K5]

Sent mine in this morning!

[Muddin]

in

[KyYota]

Snail mail letter on its way.

e-mail going out soon.

[HANO]

Survey Completed.

[DRM]

Using the BRC letter generator - just fired off an email as well.

[KyYota]

Fired off one from the BRC letter generator as well as an e-mail this morinng. I've posted all the information on the local boards as well.