Tellico Logging Pictures

[yellowxj]

http://s997.photobucket.com/albums/a...llowxj_photos/

If you get to see these(cause I dont really know what I'm doing) you'll be frustrated by the petroleum products and potential for sediment run off that have been the FS cry for closing tellico.

[shadetree6969]

[GSW]

Nice work TU! You made it all better!

[Icemanii]

Damn, that is messed up that they think we were the problem.

I think the true reason we are gone from using Tellico is $$. Logging pays the Gov. more than we do.

[McCracken]

damn. that looks bad. I like logging but only when responsible BMPs are in place. that looks horrible.

btw, thanks for taking the time to go get the pics. Also, in NC if 25 gallons or more of oil hit the dirt they have an obligation to call the state and clean it up within 24 hours.

[yellowxj]

I thought it was ironic that further up old trail 1, delicately stapled to a tree was a notice for the FS Lohr that said Tellico's trails were closed because of water quality issues.

[Crawfords Campground]

I wanted to post up my latest e-mail to Con. Shuler's Office.

Sqeaky Wheels get more grease!

Hello Ryan,

Good Morning. I just wanted to update Con. Shuler on the logging operation that is under way in the borders of the Tellico ORV area. The operation starts just inside the border entering the Allen Gap parking area and will continue to Harshaw Gap. If the area environment is of the such importance, how come this is acceptable, versus the right to recreate in the area by motorized vehicle? The environmental damage caused by a clear cut operation is far more damaging to the established Eco system than the proper management and maintenance of the Tellico ORV trail system. The pictures below show just a glimpse of the damage, petroleum spills and disturbed soil conditions, which leads to many years of soil erosion that ultimately enter the creeks and streams. That scenario is believed to be the largest contributor to the silt entering the waterways in the Upper Tellico watershed that ultimately makes it's way into the Trout waters from a clear cut logging operation that occurred several years ago above the Tipton Creek area. We understand that the US government profits off the sell of timber from public lands, however profit over the very popular recreation of a large user group is not an acceptable reason for double standards by our government. Business and citizens alike in your district are feeling the loss of the Tellico ORV system and it's positive economic impact. We need your assistance to regain our use of this area and feel that the small investment by the government with monies, management and proper maintenance of the Tellico ORV area will benefit the intended user groups and have huge impact on our local economy. I have also provided a link to the front page article from this past weeks Cherokee Scout Newspaper if you haven't already received it from Sandy Zimmerman.

http://s997.photobucket.com/albums/a...llowxj_photos/
http://www.thecherokeescout.com/arti...e839874297.txt

I appreciate the opportunity to work with your office on this important issue and look forward to your response.

[Backncardr]

Originally Posted by McCracken

damn. that looks bad. I like logging but only when responsible BMPs are in place. that looks horrible.

btw, thanks for taking the time to go get the pics. Also, in NC if 25 gallons or more of oil hit the dirt they have an obligation to call the state and clean it up within 24 hours.

I am betting there is at least that much spilled already owing to the hydraulic buckets strewn around or there will be with the hemorrhaging hydraulics.

[big mudder]

Originally Posted by Crawfords Campground

I wanted to post up my latest e-mail to Con. Shuler's Office.

Sqeaky Wheels get more grease!

Hello Ryan,

Good Morning. I just wanted to update Con. Shuler on the logging operation that is under way in the borders of the Tellico ORV area. The operation starts just inside the border entering the Allen Gap parking area and will continue to Harshaw Gap. If the area environment is of the such importance, how come this is acceptable, versus the right to recreate in the area by motorized vehicle? The environmental damage caused by a clear cut operation is far more damaging to the established Eco system than the proper management and maintenance of the Tellico ORV trail system. The pictures below show just a glimpse of the damage, petroleum spills and disturbed soil conditions, which leads to many years of soil erosion that ultimately enter the creeks and streams. That scenario is believed to be the largest contributor to the silt entering the waterways in the Upper Tellico watershed that ultimately makes it's way into the Trout waters from a clear cut logging operation that occurred several years ago above the Tipton Creek area. We understand that the US government profits off the sell of timber from public lands, however profit over the very popular recreation of a large user group is not an acceptable reason for double standards by our government. Business and citizens alike in your district are feeling the loss of the Tellico ORV system and it's positive economic impact. We need your assistance to regain our use of this area and feel that the small investment by the government with monies, management and proper maintenance of the Tellico ORV area will benefit the intended user groups and have huge impact on our local economy. I have also provided a link to the front page article from this past weeks Cherokee Scout Newspaper if you haven't already received it from Sandy Zimmerman.

http://s997.photobucket.com/albums/a...llowxj_photos/


http://www.thecherokeescout.com/arti...e839874297.txt

I appreciate the opportunity to work with your office on this important issue and look forward to your response.

Links didn't work for me.

[Crawfords Campground]

Thanks, I just sent the ones that work.

[k9crazy]

A toll-free hotline has been set-up for citizens to report possible violations to the Sedimentation Pollution Control Act.
1-866-STOPMUD (786-7683) or
North Carolina Erosion Watch


Please use this hotline link to:
Report erosion problems you see*
Request information or comment on the N.C. Erosion and Sediment Program
Comment on our web site.
Contact:
Gray Hauser, P.E., CPESC.
State Sediment Specialist,
Land Quality Section
Phone: 919.733.4574
E-mail: Gray.Hauser@ncmail.net

[s10er8]

Find out who's logging and then who's brother in law he is. Surely Trout Unlimited knows about this.

If I can find Skeet's number (or whatever his name is) I will call him tonight and ask him if they know about the logging that is taking place. Of course, the way they are stalking us I'm sure he will be expecting my call.

If anyone knows his number post it up.

[big mudder]

Originally Posted by s10er8

Find out who's logging and then who's brother in law he is. Surely Trout Unlimited knows about this.

If I can find Skeet's number (or whatever his name is) I will call him tonight and ask him if they know about the logging that is taking place. Of course, the way they are stalking us I'm sure he will be expecting my call.

If anyone knows his number post it up.

They probably knew before we did.I would like to know what TU is sayin about this on their boards.I'm sure somebody here is also a member over there and is not brainwashed by their propaganda.So pm somebody a link.

[yellowxj]

I'm sorry for bringing the loggers into the fray. I know they're just doing what loggers do. Traditional job around here. But they have fallen into a bigger struggle around here.

[funkskunk]

Who Knew!?! Texaco Ursa Super Plus is safer for Trout than sediment run off!

[stRanger]

So here is a question.... If there were people/website communities with enough pull to help get Tellico closed, wouldn't they possibly be interested in what the place is actually gettin used for now? And possibly help push for the common goal of gettin these actions stop? Now granted, I'm not real up to date on who was all pushing for the closing of tellico, I know the forestry service i believe it was but wasn't sure if there were groups also...

makes me sick to my stomach to see loggin in such a gorgeous area!

[s10er8]

That's what the NFS owns the land for, natural resources. If they would have just came out and said it needed to be closed to harvest the timber, a lot more people would have been ok with this.

[Crawfords Campground]

The best thing is to get the politicians involved. They hate to be dropped into something that people will watch how they react. They know the best political action on an environmental issue is to not get involved or pick the winning side. The problem with that strategy in this case is that the politicians are the government and since they are basically in bed with the FS, they hate getting dragged into an issue of governing themselves. Send letters to the newspapers and your state Representatives. Send letters to the Department of Environmental Protection Agency. Most importantly, make sure you tie the Representatives name in the paper. They hate it and will be more apt to get involved. Some say the letters have no weight(not naming names-He's lurking and ready to pounce). They are wrong. I usually get a response to my letters and calls back when I leave a message now from Shuler's office. I am on a first name basis with his man servant "Ryan" and have even met the guy during a class field trip with my kids to Washington D.C.. They will get to know you and once you brake that barrier of just another concerned citizen, they will at least listen to the complaint.

[4-lo]

Got some recent pics from this past weekend.

[4-lo]

Just to the left of the middle in this pic, you can see where they are cutting. Viewed from Trail 1 and Upper 2 intersection. I have better pics of this on the way.




And I dont know if any of you every drove the narrow, overgrown road to the top of the bald way beyond Upper 2 but this is what it looks like now.

[heepr]

Originally Posted by 4-lo

And I dont know if any of you every drove the narrow, overgrown road to the top of the bald way beyond Upper 2 but this is what it looks like now.

A lot of that is private land up there. by the time you get to the meadows up on top, you have crossed through private land several times. Is the cutting up there continuous or does it start and stop?

[4-lo]

On that road, continuous all the way up.

[rockmonkey2]

Anything is okay if the government wants it! Thats what i gather from this and more local trails that have been closed!

[broncomania79]

way to go TU & FS.

[Atomic Josh]

Originally Posted by s10er8

If I can find Skeet's number (or whatever his name is) I will call him tonight and ask him if they know about the logging that is taking place. Of course, the way they are stalking us I'm sure he will be expecting my call.

If anyone knows his number post it up.

From the TU press release here:http://www.tu.org/press_releases/200...-tellico-orv-a

The first guy is the lawyer representing the collective groups.http://www.southernenvironment.org/a...aff/dj_gerken/

Contact:
SELC – DJ Gerken, 828-258-2023
Representing:
Trout Unlimited, North Carolina Council – Michael “Squeak” Smith, 828 205-2355
Trout Unlimited, Tennessee Council – George Lane, 865-414-1527
PEER – Barry Sulkin, 615-313-7066
WildSouth – Ben Prater, 828-258-2667