kb8ymf
January 6th, 2006, 04:44 PM
Most everyone has heard of Tellico. For anyone who has been there,
plans on going there or simply wants their voice to be heard. The USFS
is looking to make changes.
Here is what the Southern Four Wheel Drive Association is saying:
The US Forest Service is proposing new rules and restrictions at
Tellico. You can (and should) write them a letter with your comments.
The public comment period runs through January 13, 2006.
The restrictions proposed by the US Forest Service are:
1. Winter closure to motorized vehicle of the following trails from
January 1 through April 15 of each year:
* Lower Trail #2 (0.7 mile),
* Trail #7 (0.6 mile) and that portion of Trail #6 from the
intersection with Trail #7 to the intersection with Trail #4 (0.4 mile),
* Trail #9 (0.8 mile), and
* Trail #10 (3.7 miles).
2. Prohibition of overnight camping along Trail #1 and Trail #5
unless designated for such use. Also prohibited would be overnight
camping in the parking facilities at Allen Gap and State Line.
Click here to read the full official Forest Service
notice:
http://www.sfwda.org/trails/tellico/tellico-20051208.pdf
Our comments on proposed rule 1:
Obviously, we are not happy with any proposals to close trails at
Tellico for the winter. We understand that some other multi-use
recreation areas have seasonal winter closures. Many of the Forest
Service areas close in the winter, but most private areas remain open in
the winter. While we do not think winter closure is the best course of
action to solve the run-off problems, we do understand that there may be
a need for seasonal closures on Lower Trail 2 and the Peckerwood
Connector at Trail 7 when the freeze-thaw cycle is happening.
Lower Trail #2 runs close to Tipton Creek for a considerable length. The
biggest problems on this trail are the illegal bypasses by ATV users who
cannot make the tough sections of the trail. It's already illegal for
ATVs to use Lower Trail #2, but they continue to do so and the Forest
Service law enforcement is not there to prevent it. An effective law
enforcement presence would go a looooong way to solve this problem, but
apparently that is not happening.
Trail #7 (Peckerwood connector) bridges over and runs close to
Peckerwood Creek. It's a difficult trail and some run-off may be getting
into the creek. Because of the proximity of the trail to the creek, it's
difficult to keep all run-off out of the creek during weather that
winter may bring.
Trail 9 is located in an area of the forest where top soil is very
shallow before giving way to rock underneath. Any erosion here can be
easily controlled by water bars and silt traps. Trail 9 is also quite a
distance from a creek or wet weather conveyance, thereby providing a
good opportunity to implement erosion-control devices before any run-off
reaches a body of water. We believe that the main source of erosion on
Trail 9 is not from the well-maintained trail, but from the bypasses and
spiderweb "go arounds" made mostly by the ATVs riding illegally on
this
trail. Controlling the ATV traffic on this trail would improve water
quality more effectively than a seasonal closure.
Trail #10 is an ATV-only trail. Sections of it run close to creeks and
the soil of some of the sections are vulnerable to the freeze-thaw cycle
during the winter. We have performed trail maintenance on this trail,
but we're a 4WD association and our resources are not unlimited - we're
willing to help an ATV club adopt this trail, but it's time for the ATV
user community to step forward and take over the maintenance on it.
Past discussions with the Forest Service on winter closure dates have
always been for the dates of January 1 through March 31. We do not agree
with or see a need for a closure into April!
An important consideration is that Lower Trail 2 and Trail 9 are already
off-limits to ATVs. Most of the problems on these trails are caused by
ATVs bypassing the difficult sections off-the-trail through the woods.
The ATVs are there due to lack of law enforcement. Lower Trail 2 starts
off the main gravel road and is easily accessible to street vehicles -
why can't law enforcement be there now? If these trails are closed
during the winter, will there be law enforcement officers to enforce the
new restrictions? Otherwise, what's the point of more rules if there is
no plan to enforce them? Ditto for Trail 10 - what's the plan to make
sure the trail is not used during the winter closure?
The Forest Service proposal calls for closing only a few trails that of
particular concern. We oppose the winter closure of Trail #9 and we
advocate a winter closure period of not longer than January 1 through
March 31.
Our comments on proposed rule 2:
The prohibition of overnight camping along Trails #1 and #5 has come up
several times before. A formal proposal was made as far back as July
2002, but we were able to turn it back. The reason for the proposal is
that there are a few campers that won't stay out of the creeks and
riparian areas (creek banks). We have built extensive metal barriers to
keep ATVs on the road and out of the riparian areas. This helped a lot
but didn't totally eliminate the problem. Under today's environmental
laws, it's unacceptable to walk all over creek banks or drive an ATV
through these areas. These few campers are spoiling the camping
opportunities for everyone. In addition, these camping areas do not have
immediate access to toilets and some people are "going behind the
tree"
instead of going to the toilet at State Line.
Note that the proposed rule contains the qualifier "unless designated
for such use." If we cannot keep camping opportunities on Trails 1 and
5, new designated camp sites in appropriate areas will need to be built
along these trails. This would recover some of the lost camping
opportunities and present fewer environmental problems in the future.
People who have a strong desire to camp on trails 1 and 5 are encouraged
to volunteer to help build designated camp sites.
The proposed rule would prohibit camping along Trails #1 and #5, but
parking would still be allowed.
There is already no camping at the Allen Gap parking lot. Due to the
limited parking spaces available at Allen Gap and State Line, we think
that these two parking lots should be for parking only and not camping.
We are not in favor of camping restrictions along trails #1 and #5
unless new camping opportunities are made available at the earliest
possible time.
As you read our comments above, you may notice our reluctance about
these proposals. We are not truly in favor of them, but we are
compromising and accepting some of them in the interest of improving the
downstream water quality and ensuring the long-term existence of the
Upper Tellico OHV Area. As always, SFWDA will continue to maintain the
trails and do everything in our power to keep Tellico an enjoyable
experience. In return, we ask all users to follow the rules and help
take care of Tellico and we expect the Forest Service to do their best
to enforce the rules so that they fully serve the purpose for which they
were implemented.
Writing Your Letter
You can use the above comments as a guide to write your letter and you
are encouraged to add your own opinions and comments. Be specific with
what you favor and oppose and why. If possible, give alternate actions
or better ideas.
Please write your letter in your own words. These letters are the most
valuable. Form letters or petitions are mostly ignored because they
provide little or no useful input and no new ideas. You might also
include how much you and your family enjoys 4-wheeling at Tellico - and
be sure to thank the Forest Service for the opportunities at Tellico.
Put your name, full address, and date in your letter - and be sure to
sign your letter!
The Forest Service must receive your comments by January 13, 2006.
Mail your letter to:
R E Vann
Tusquitee District Ranger
123 Woodland Drive
Murphy, NC 28906
Or you can email your letter:
To: rsemingson@fs.fed.us
Cc: revann@fs.fed.us
Or at the last minute you can fax your letter to:
R E Vann
Tusquitee District Ranger
828-837-8510
Please tell all your friends and get them to write letters, too!
plans on going there or simply wants their voice to be heard. The USFS
is looking to make changes.
Here is what the Southern Four Wheel Drive Association is saying:
The US Forest Service is proposing new rules and restrictions at
Tellico. You can (and should) write them a letter with your comments.
The public comment period runs through January 13, 2006.
The restrictions proposed by the US Forest Service are:
1. Winter closure to motorized vehicle of the following trails from
January 1 through April 15 of each year:
* Lower Trail #2 (0.7 mile),
* Trail #7 (0.6 mile) and that portion of Trail #6 from the
intersection with Trail #7 to the intersection with Trail #4 (0.4 mile),
* Trail #9 (0.8 mile), and
* Trail #10 (3.7 miles).
2. Prohibition of overnight camping along Trail #1 and Trail #5
unless designated for such use. Also prohibited would be overnight
camping in the parking facilities at Allen Gap and State Line.
Click here to read the full official Forest Service
notice:
http://www.sfwda.org/trails/tellico/tellico-20051208.pdf
Our comments on proposed rule 1:
Obviously, we are not happy with any proposals to close trails at
Tellico for the winter. We understand that some other multi-use
recreation areas have seasonal winter closures. Many of the Forest
Service areas close in the winter, but most private areas remain open in
the winter. While we do not think winter closure is the best course of
action to solve the run-off problems, we do understand that there may be
a need for seasonal closures on Lower Trail 2 and the Peckerwood
Connector at Trail 7 when the freeze-thaw cycle is happening.
Lower Trail #2 runs close to Tipton Creek for a considerable length. The
biggest problems on this trail are the illegal bypasses by ATV users who
cannot make the tough sections of the trail. It's already illegal for
ATVs to use Lower Trail #2, but they continue to do so and the Forest
Service law enforcement is not there to prevent it. An effective law
enforcement presence would go a looooong way to solve this problem, but
apparently that is not happening.
Trail #7 (Peckerwood connector) bridges over and runs close to
Peckerwood Creek. It's a difficult trail and some run-off may be getting
into the creek. Because of the proximity of the trail to the creek, it's
difficult to keep all run-off out of the creek during weather that
winter may bring.
Trail 9 is located in an area of the forest where top soil is very
shallow before giving way to rock underneath. Any erosion here can be
easily controlled by water bars and silt traps. Trail 9 is also quite a
distance from a creek or wet weather conveyance, thereby providing a
good opportunity to implement erosion-control devices before any run-off
reaches a body of water. We believe that the main source of erosion on
Trail 9 is not from the well-maintained trail, but from the bypasses and
spiderweb "go arounds" made mostly by the ATVs riding illegally on
this
trail. Controlling the ATV traffic on this trail would improve water
quality more effectively than a seasonal closure.
Trail #10 is an ATV-only trail. Sections of it run close to creeks and
the soil of some of the sections are vulnerable to the freeze-thaw cycle
during the winter. We have performed trail maintenance on this trail,
but we're a 4WD association and our resources are not unlimited - we're
willing to help an ATV club adopt this trail, but it's time for the ATV
user community to step forward and take over the maintenance on it.
Past discussions with the Forest Service on winter closure dates have
always been for the dates of January 1 through March 31. We do not agree
with or see a need for a closure into April!
An important consideration is that Lower Trail 2 and Trail 9 are already
off-limits to ATVs. Most of the problems on these trails are caused by
ATVs bypassing the difficult sections off-the-trail through the woods.
The ATVs are there due to lack of law enforcement. Lower Trail 2 starts
off the main gravel road and is easily accessible to street vehicles -
why can't law enforcement be there now? If these trails are closed
during the winter, will there be law enforcement officers to enforce the
new restrictions? Otherwise, what's the point of more rules if there is
no plan to enforce them? Ditto for Trail 10 - what's the plan to make
sure the trail is not used during the winter closure?
The Forest Service proposal calls for closing only a few trails that of
particular concern. We oppose the winter closure of Trail #9 and we
advocate a winter closure period of not longer than January 1 through
March 31.
Our comments on proposed rule 2:
The prohibition of overnight camping along Trails #1 and #5 has come up
several times before. A formal proposal was made as far back as July
2002, but we were able to turn it back. The reason for the proposal is
that there are a few campers that won't stay out of the creeks and
riparian areas (creek banks). We have built extensive metal barriers to
keep ATVs on the road and out of the riparian areas. This helped a lot
but didn't totally eliminate the problem. Under today's environmental
laws, it's unacceptable to walk all over creek banks or drive an ATV
through these areas. These few campers are spoiling the camping
opportunities for everyone. In addition, these camping areas do not have
immediate access to toilets and some people are "going behind the
tree"
instead of going to the toilet at State Line.
Note that the proposed rule contains the qualifier "unless designated
for such use." If we cannot keep camping opportunities on Trails 1 and
5, new designated camp sites in appropriate areas will need to be built
along these trails. This would recover some of the lost camping
opportunities and present fewer environmental problems in the future.
People who have a strong desire to camp on trails 1 and 5 are encouraged
to volunteer to help build designated camp sites.
The proposed rule would prohibit camping along Trails #1 and #5, but
parking would still be allowed.
There is already no camping at the Allen Gap parking lot. Due to the
limited parking spaces available at Allen Gap and State Line, we think
that these two parking lots should be for parking only and not camping.
We are not in favor of camping restrictions along trails #1 and #5
unless new camping opportunities are made available at the earliest
possible time.
As you read our comments above, you may notice our reluctance about
these proposals. We are not truly in favor of them, but we are
compromising and accepting some of them in the interest of improving the
downstream water quality and ensuring the long-term existence of the
Upper Tellico OHV Area. As always, SFWDA will continue to maintain the
trails and do everything in our power to keep Tellico an enjoyable
experience. In return, we ask all users to follow the rules and help
take care of Tellico and we expect the Forest Service to do their best
to enforce the rules so that they fully serve the purpose for which they
were implemented.
Writing Your Letter
You can use the above comments as a guide to write your letter and you
are encouraged to add your own opinions and comments. Be specific with
what you favor and oppose and why. If possible, give alternate actions
or better ideas.
Please write your letter in your own words. These letters are the most
valuable. Form letters or petitions are mostly ignored because they
provide little or no useful input and no new ideas. You might also
include how much you and your family enjoys 4-wheeling at Tellico - and
be sure to thank the Forest Service for the opportunities at Tellico.
Put your name, full address, and date in your letter - and be sure to
sign your letter!
The Forest Service must receive your comments by January 13, 2006.
Mail your letter to:
R E Vann
Tusquitee District Ranger
123 Woodland Drive
Murphy, NC 28906
Or you can email your letter:
To: rsemingson@fs.fed.us
Cc: revann@fs.fed.us
Or at the last minute you can fax your letter to:
R E Vann
Tusquitee District Ranger
828-837-8510
Please tell all your friends and get them to write letters, too!