More Trail Closures Proposed for Tellico

[Rob MSHXC]

Just got this in from our TN Offroad Lobbyist.. I just glanced real quick at the threads here, didn't look like a repost, but..

FYI All, this came out today in the Chattanooga Times Free Press. Public Hearing, this Saturday, 1-4pm est, First Baptist Church, Murphy NC. Michelle

Proposed closure of Tellico trails up for discussion (Times FreePress)Off-road riders and conservation groups will square off Saturday at apublic hearing on a proposal to close more than 25 percent of theoff-road trails in the Upper Tellico Trail System at the Tennessee-NorthCarolina border. Steve Lohr, Tusquitee District ranger in theNantahala National Forest, described proposed trail alterations in anews release. The U.S. Forest Service wants to close and restoreabout 11 miles of 39.5 miles of off-road trails, Mr. Lohr said. Many of the trail segments that are popular for high-challengerock-crawler opportunities are heavily eroded, have high potential forcontributing sediment to nearby streams and are therefore proposed forclosure and rehabilitation, Mr. Lohr said in the news release. Theplan calls for keeping 24 miles of trails as they are and upgrading fivemiles for use by street-legal vehicles. The Forest Service plan is inresponse to a threatened lawsuit. The trails cross and run parallelto areas near a feeder stream to the Tellico River, a popular troutfishing area in Tennessee. The North Carolina and Tennessee councils ofTrout Unlimited, along with Public Employees for EnvironmentalResponsibility and the Southern Appalachian Biodiversity Project, hadthreatened to sue over violations of the Clean Water Act and otherfederal and state environmental regulations. However, severaloff-road groups have filed their own suit to stop the proposed closure. Honestly, we are disappointed that so many trails are to beclosed, said Heather Spivey, spokeswoman for the Southern Four WheelDrive Association. The association believes sedimentation studies areinaccurate and questions whether erosion is really a problem as theForest Service has said. Mr. Lohr said closing the trails betweenJan. 1 and March 31 would prevent rutting and excessive sedimentationduring wet and freeze-thaw periods in the winter. Temporary closuresafter heavy rains could prevent excessive erosion, he said. Heencouraged everyone who is interested to attend the hearing and comment. No decisions have been made at this point, and the proposed actionis just a starting point for additional dialogue among all interestedparties, he said. IF YOU GO The Upper Tellico off-road trailspublic hearing is 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday at First Baptist Church inMurphy, N.C.

[krawler00]

It is going to happen regardless of all our efforts. Come december most of the good trails are goin bye bye. I have sent the letters and emails but no matter how many of us do it and speak out those guys have made up there minds!

[thumping]

Originally Posted by krawler00

It is going to happen regardless of all our efforts. Come december most of the good trails are goin bye bye. I have sent the letters and emails but no matter how many of us do it and speak out those guys have made up there minds!

Sadly, I have to agree. I still think that if they get us removed we should enlist PETA to help get their asses kicked out also. They're hurting the fish damn it!

[k9crazy]

Prophesies are self fufilling...don't give up the fight yet, gentlemen.

[McCracken]

unfortunately, there are many that think this and with that thinking they've decided not to do anything. Some have but I'd venture a guess that the nay-sayers have not sent as many letters as the supporters and that's what's going to kill us in the long run.

It's like voting for the president. If you didn't vote, STFU. If Tellico closes, STFU and don't complain. It's that easy.

As lazy as this generation has become I just don't see why people can't spend 5 mintues out of their lives to point, click and send. I'm definitely turning into a old codger before the age of 30

[4-lo]

Originally Posted by krawler00

Its happening due to the lack of effort. Come december most of the good trails are goin bye bye. I have sent the letters and emails but no matter how many of us do it and speak out those guys have made up there minds!

Fixed it for ya.