Push for a Extension

[McCracken]

Everyone needs to write a separate letter for an extension from the Forest Service. The reason being it's hard to analyze and research a 217 page document in 30 days. The tactic from the FS is to throw this at all of us in such a way that they know we can't go through all of it. We need this extension.

We need to push for this. Let this be your first letter! The more the better. Tahoe got 7500 letters, I'd love to see 5000 out of us. Please pass this along to all the other boards. Thanks

[CMF]

Good idea. We need more than 30 days to bog down their mail systems.

[monkeyevil]

If we are pushing for this, we also need to push for opening the park as scheduled on April 1st as well. Even if a final decision has not been made.

[k9crazy]

Originally Posted by monkeyevil

If we are pushing for this, we also need to push for opening the park as scheduled on April 1st as well. Even if a final decision has not been made.

Not if...WE DO need to push for the park to open on April 1st.

[s10er8]

I don't have time to do a lot, but we need to get organized with this. A letter drive needs to be organized and the word needs to get out about this going on

They have overwhelmed us with this, and they have done it on purpose

We need to come up with a strategy and get it in order. All of this different information in different threads is getting confusing

In my opinion, and I'm sure everyone elses, this is the biggest battle of the war. At this point I'm not seeing a lot of support from our side, maybe it is there and I cant see it. I know it sounds crazy but Lance, Camo, Kurt and Del need to be briefed on the situation

We have a crisis on our hands...

[s10er8]

I see now that Del and Kurt are well aware of the situation at hand

[yoderboy]

i have wrote two letters this week to the forestry service. one opposing them not wanting to reopen on april 1, the other voicing my opposition to "Alternatives B thru F". looks like i got one more to write. just think if 5000 people sent three separate letters this month, they would have to hire a staff to read them all. helps tellico and the economy, its a win win for us.

[McCracken]

Right now, there's 3 simple letters to write.

1) Extension
2) Open the park on April 1st
3) Alternative C = crap.

[GSW]

Here's my request for extension letter. Just to give some ideas. Please feel free to borrow from my ideas and word them your own way.

March 5, 2009

National Forests in NC
Attn: Candace Wyman
160 A Zillicoa Street
Asheville, NC 28801


For your consideration, Mrs. Wyman:

I appreciate the work that the Forest Service has done in evaluating the Tellico OHV trails and completing the Environmental Assessment (EA).

However, I feel that the minimum 30-day public comment period is wholly inadequate and should be extended substantially to allow for a more thorough and equitable review by all stakeholders. The EA is an intimidating document for even the most seasoned reader to consume within the allotted 30-day window, and that doesn’t even account for the time needed for thoughtful analysis and response. The Forest Service should be concerned with avoiding the perception of purposely overwhelming the public with data that could not possibly be absorbed within the given timeframe.

Additionally, the Southern Four Wheel Drive Association (SFWDA) has commissioned their own environmental analysis of the trail system, including specific recommendations for repair and maintenance. The study also includes non-biased third party water quality analysis. The Forest Service also needs a reasonable amount of time to review this document and compare its findings to their own. We are all interested in preserving water quality. To that end, all data sources must be evaluated thoroughly and without prejudice.

In the interest of engaging the stakeholders (the public which you serve) this timeframe for public comment should be extended. 30 days is simply the minimum and our public bodies should strive to exceed those minimums where practicable and beneficial. I would like to respectfully submit that the public comment period be extended to 240 days. During this time the trail system should be open to OHV use and scheduled fundraisers and other events will be allowed to occur as planned.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

[heepr]

Good idea McCracken and great letter GSW. I've copied and posted this suggestion on other boards. My letter #1 sent, and #2 is in the works.

[brimy311]

GSW, I copied and pasted your letter in the thread about sharing letters! Hope you don't mind. Good letter!

[GSW]

Originally Posted by brimy311

GSW, I copied and pasted your letter in the thread about sharing letters! Hope you don't mind. Good letter!

No problem. That's what it's all about.

[BigGreenMonster]

it is 2:46 am... the liquer drink is 3/4 empty so i am posting this here first... i will mail it after lunch sometime tomorrow. any critisims are welcome.

thank God for spell check!

March 6, 2009

National Forests in NC
Attn: Candace Wyman
160 A Zillicoa Street
Asheville, NC 28801


Mrs. Wyman:
I just received my copy of the Environmental Assessment for the Tellico OHV trail system. This is a very extensive document to process, evaluate and make an educated judgment on within the thirty day deadline. This is a very important decision that should be well thought out as it will affect not only a very large number of outdoors people but also the environment. The general public as well as all parties involved needs an adequate amount of time to delve into all possible aspects of this situation as to come up with the best solution possible.

There are two water quality surveys, one done by the Forrest Service and one done by the Southern Four Wheel Drive Association (SFWDA), that are contradicting. With the severity and finality of the Forrest services recommendation a third party analysis should be conducted to insure the proper decision is reached. This is another valid reason for a time extension on the thirty day deadline.

The nature of this EA is to gather public opinions on the suggested solutions provided by the Forrest service. With the technical language used in this document and the minimum time period allowed it seems that the public’s opinion is not really wanted. With the public in mind the deadline for comments should be a minimum of one hundred and eighty days. It is in the Forrest Services best interest that it looks out for the people and not the fastest resolution.

Thank you for your time.

[brimy311]

Good letter BigGreen, I would only suggest changing the second survey from being done by SFWDA, to being contacted by SFWDA and done by Caliber Engineering, an independent study.

[BigGreenMonster]

Originally Posted by brimy311

Good letter BigGreen, I would only suggest changing the second survey from being done by SFWDA, to being contacted by SFWDA and done by Caliber Engineering, an independent study.

show nuff... i will change that and it will be nc bound shortly

[yellowxj]

Please refer to the Code of Federal Regulations. 36 CFR Part 215 states: "215.6(a)(1)(i) Environmental Assessment. Comments on the proposed action shall be accepted for 30 days following the date of publication of the legal notice." and "215.6(a)(1)(iv) The time period for the opportunity to comment on environmental assessments shall not be extended."

This is the email I got from the FS referencing part of one of my emails to them...no extention for you... FS trying to run this through quick.

[Kurtuleas]

Sorry guys.

I just found out a coupla days ago that for an Enviromental Assessment, you can't get an extention.....but for an Enviromental Impact Styatement, you can.

I should double-check with Southern...but MAYBE we should ask for an EIS and push for that route....

[McCracken]

I think we could still do some damage with this. Why couldn't we use the Marisue comments to leverage some special consideration?

[Kurtuleas]

Originally Posted by McCracken

I think we could still do some damage with this. Why couldn't we use the Marisue comments to leverage some special consideration?

Yeah, Hillard screwed up BIGTIME with that.

I already wrote a formal complaint to the head of the forest service, but I still need to go thru the chain of command and e-mail the regional Forester.

I hope Southern, BRC and United pick up on that comment and do some type of litagation.

I am pretty sure that it is in violation of the NEPA process. I will try to call John Stewart from Cal4 and get his take on it and ask what can be done.