Offroaders unite now!

[orangecherokee]

SELC Files Notice of Intent - Tellico OHV Area at Risk

SELC joins sportsmen, other conservationists in protecting native trout streams in Nantahala National Forest


Severe erosion of ORV trails in the Tellico Area of the Nantahala National Forest channels muddy water to nearby streams, threatening some of the last brook trout populations in the Southern Appalachians.

For generations of Southerners, the brook trout is a symbol of the region's natural bounty and plentiful outdoors recreation opportunities. The native species, which survives only in the cleanest, coldest water, is also a symbol of water quality in our mountains.

Decades of intensive logging, sprawl development and other impacts have polluted trout streams and extirpated brookies from much of their historical range. In the South, some of the last, best habitat for this fish is on public lands.

One of these areas is the upper Tellico River watershed, with headwaters in the Nantahala National Forest in Cherokee County, North Carolina; the watershed flows into the Cherokee National Forest in bordering Tennessee. For years, Tellico has been a popular destination for anglers.

It's also become one of the largest and most intensively used areas for off-road vehicle (ORV) users. The sport entails driving customized "monster" trucks, as well as smaller all-terrain vehicles through rugged terrain - the steeper the trails, the more challenging. And the more damaging to the forest floor and water quality.

Years of heavy use and erosion have turned trails in the Tellico area into massive ditches, some more than seven feet deep. In wet conditions, these ditches channel muddy water into nearby streams.

The US Forest Service has designated 40 miles of trails in the Tellico area for ORV use - twice the legal limit. This doesn't take into account the innumberable smaller illegal trails forged by ORV users. Further, in violation of federal and state law, many of these trails are within 100 feet of streams and creeks. The agency's own studies show that brook trout populations in the area and downstream in Tennessee have declined due to impacts from ORV use. Yet the agency has failed to take the necessary steps to protect and restore the trout streams.

On June 28, SELC filed a "notice of intent to sue" the agency for failing to enforce the law. We are representing Trout Unlimited, both the North Carolina and Tennessee Councils, as well as Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility and the Southern Appalachian Biodiversity Project. We are calling on the Forest Service to permanently close the most environmentally damaging trails, and seasonally close the entire system.

With ORV use growing rapidly in the South's national forests, our legal action aims to make clear to the Forest Service its responsibility to get on top of the problem now.

edit: http://southernstudies.org/facingsouth/2007/06/southern-sportsmen-conservationists-sue.asp

[Slick Willie]

I posted a comment. More hippies trying to squish out "Monster Trucks" from society.

[orangecherokee]

If you couldn't possibly make it sound bad enough they throw in "Monster" :rolleyes: Such BS. We build them to make them more capable.

[rockjeep44]

I read that. I'm interested to hear what SFWDA's response is going to be. I mean hell, they built that monster bridge over 5, it's not like they did that for fun.

[derf]

The best way to head off this action is to start doing something to curb the problem. Get active in setting up drainage control that stops the mud from flowing directly into the rivers and streams.

Most of the groups just want their fishing spots to remain intact. They won't really care if you off road so long as your trails don't screw up their fishing. They may even be willing to chip in a little labor if you're proactive about doing something to help them and you ask nicely.

If you manage the drainage from the trails, you take away their reason to complain about you and you keep your trails.

[rockjeep44]

What's stupid is the upper Tellico is some of the best trout fishin around already.

[Slick Willie]

You don't want to know what all Texans have gone through in the last 10 years. We've lost many many good places to wheel thanks to the government and **** hippies. Oh well...it made more private land owners realize the $$ potential in letting people wheel on their land. As long as I have a place that's good to wheel, I'm happy. But sometimes sitting on our butts doesn't keep places to wheel.

[grand_wag_85]

1st Paragon, now Tellico. I hope this does not become an ongoing trend.:(

[CowKiller]

yea, paragon sucks. lol never made it there and was plannin a trip for when i get home. quess not now. hope they can find new land.

[orangecherokee]

hopefully it is a bluff but what if it isn't? SFWDA does a lot of good but some people still use the area like it's their backyard. there are rules and people need to follow them. that would be the first step IMO.

[richard567]

Great, just when I was getting started, someone whats to %#$%^ up for me. Always a day late, or a $$$$ short...:banghead:

[wickedwagon767]

Man come on

what a crock

You can't paint the world pink and force everyone to smile......

[Casey]

This is really messed up! They could cause enough of a **** storm for the feds to close the trails for an evaluation of environmental impact. It will take them years to study the wildlife and plantlife.
I've seen that before. Many of those places were closed for good.

I'll do whatever I can...maybe a workday digging drainage ditches!? :cool:

I do think the word needs to be spread about this group of zealots.


Great post OC. :thumbsup:

[CMMagnussen]

Digging drainage ditches or adopting a highway wont slow down closures of these areas...... we are up against people who wont rest untill we all live in straw huts heated by cow manure......... (went to college with a lot of these freaks of nature)




Save a Trail, Run over a Greenie!!

[orangecherokee]

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=595745

more news articles. please read it and comment at the bottom. we need to show them we have a growing number of people that care and will fight for our privilege to ride.

[Serious Johnson]

Let's see...some of the last brook trout populations in the Southern Appalachians, or someone's weekend hobby? I'll have to cipher a while on which is more important.

I applaud efforts by responsible off-roaders to mitigate damage done not primarily by them but by those who just don't care. But taking a vehicle into certain places, even when done as responsibly as possible, still damages those places, and the current explosion in ORV use is beginning to make such luxuries untenable if we hope to retain anything at all of our natural heritage.

Certainly, responsible use and help with repairing the result of inevitable irresponsible use are the right things to do, but sheer numbers of users means that we're gonna lose this one folks. Either that, or we lose the qualities of the land that we love. Natural environments are quickly becoming museums, and we're just gonna have to loosen clutches on some of our toys if we expect to have even those museums in the future.

S.J.

[rockjeep44]

SJ, I'm copying and pasting a reply from the Pirate4x4 board which I think is a fantastic response and which you should read and consider. I highly doubt it will even make a dent in your incredibly liberal skull but read it anyways.

The area is managed to help prevent sedimentation. Southern Four Wheel Drive and fellow volunteers have helped to maintain the trails through the years. A portion of the money made from membership is donated each year to help achieve Forest Service goals.

I believe that the individual groups have found a scapegoat. They do not want to look at other causes for their supposed brook trout population decline. Are they being over fished? Too much access? Can anyone come out and try to find the elusive brook trout? Yes, on all accounts. Anglers leave trash, mishook fish leaving them scarred for life or unable to eat for days. Then once they catch the fish they remove their delicate coating which leaves them more susceptible to injury and disease. Why not put a ban on brook trout fishing?

They assume that everyone that visits the area is some no account, beer-gutted redneck hell bent on destroying the earth. These "monster" trucks are built to be more capable and leave less impact on the land. Most enthusiasts adhere to the "Tread Lightly" philosophy.

I believe the groups interested have neglected to do first things first, clean their own backyard. To sum it up, the big dog barks loudest and in this case the anglers are their own worst enemy.

[blt2krl]

S.J. and others,

I agree with your views to a point on this. I think this would make a great point of discussion in OT. Please let us keep this thread clean of fire works. I think I would be a great and constructive way of getting ideas on the table. For now lets use this thread as a support engine for the cause and move philosophical debate to OT.:fsj:

[Serious Johnson]

S.J. and others,

I agree with your views to a point on this. I think this would make a great point of discussion in OT. Please let us keep this thread clean of fire works. I think I would be a great and constructive way of getting ideas on the table. For now lets use this thread as a support engine for the cause and move philosophical debate to OT.:fsj:

Good point! Orangecherokee's original post was fair, and showed opposing views up front -- going so far as to provide a link. Whenever dissenting opinion arises, things become political and I agree that such belongs in the O.T. section we're so lucky to have. If any of y'all care to contine discussing it there, I'm partly ears. Carry on, and best of luck. I'd like to continue going to Tellico too, and hauling a backpack is getting harder with each added year.

S.J.

[orangecherokee]

SJ, I'm copying and pasting a reply from the Pirate4x4 board which I think is a fantastic response and which you should read and consider. I highly doubt it will even make a dent in your incredibly liberal skull but read it anyways.

The area is managed to help prevent sedimentation. Southern Four Wheel Drive and fellow volunteers have helped to maintain the trails through the years. A portion of the money made from membership is donated each year to help achieve Forest Service goals.

I believe that the individual groups have found a scapegoat. They do not want to look at other causes for their supposed brook trout population decline. Are they being over fished? Too much access? Can anyone come out and try to find the elusive brook trout? Yes, on all accounts. Anglers leave trash, mishook fish leaving them scarred for life or unable to eat for days. Then once they catch the fish they remove their delicate coating which leaves them more susceptible to injury and disease. Why not put a ban on brook trout fishing?

They assume that everyone that visits the area is some no account, beer-gutted redneck hell bent on destroying the earth. These "monster" trucks are built to be more capable and leave less impact on the land. Most enthusiasts adhere to the "Tread Lightly" philosophy.

I believe the groups interested have neglected to do first things first, clean their own backyard. To sum it up, the big dog barks loudest and in this case the anglers are their own worst enemy.

I know who wrote that and that guy is my biggest hero ever :thumbsup:

[Slick Willie]

Does his name start with a N? :rolleyes:

[BRUTUS]

Does his name start with a N? :rolleyes:

His real name! His Pirate name starts with a R!

[orangecherokee]

it does? :confused:

[chr1s]

His real name! His Pirate name starts with a M !

there, fixed it ...

Keep up the good fight OC, I hope it all works out for you guys down there.

As was said earlier, they closed one of the parks near here, but theres still Rausch Creek... for now.

[Slick Willie]

His real name! His Pirate name starts with a R!

it does? :confused:

:lol: :lol: Or an M. Whatever...they look alike! :lol:

[orangecherokee]

I'm going to continue to see what I can do. I just gave a good idea to Southern. Hopefully, they will use it. If not, I will ;)

Even if you are not from the Southeast I urge everyone to write a letter to the Tusquitee Ranger District Ranger Tina Tilley and voice your support. We need people to speak out. The more the better. I'll be writing my letter tonight.

Also, even if you use a form letter please do it. Everyone needs to speak up!!!

[blondie]

Brutal... this stuff has been happening in our areas as well and resulted in the closure of a few major areas already.... the latest being a couple weeks ago. I will do my part & write something to help save Tellico and I will tell all our user groups up here to do the same.

Good luck & I hope full closure isn't the option.

[BRUTUS]

there, fixed it ...

Keep up the good fight OC, I hope it all works out for you guys down there.

As was said earlier, they closed one of the parks near here, but theres still Rausch Creek... for now.

D**M! Took a 50/50 shot at it without finding the article and lost. Why is my luck SO bad?

[noflyzone]

We need to work toward a compromise. These people also need to realize what they are starting....closing the area to sportsman of any kind. Right behind them will be some Sierra club wanting to close the fishery. I know nothing about Tellico but, it is the same thing over and over everywhere it doesn't matter if it is in the Southeast or in Canada. Fanatics get heard. Probably no more needed than what you already doing with trail maintenance but a rainy season closing may not be a bad idea.....as long as it stopped there.

[johnwaynejeep2]

I haven't read the whole post so I apologize if I'm repeating here.

Aside from off-roading and (only recently) hunting, I also enjoy fishing. If brook trout are that rare up here and Tellico is causing problems then I agree with monitoring the situation and coming up with a plan to protect the trout and the river. I'd prefer that the powers that be come up with a plan that would protect the trout and also keep Tellico open. there has to be a way to. But the bottom line is, we cannot be selfish and fight to keep a trail open when we're negatively affecting a rare animal species. We can certainly fight to get a solution implemented that would allow both the river and the wheelers to co-exist though.

[orangecherokee]

Problem is that it's not that rare. I know tons of places with self sustaining brook trout populations. One main problem is when they started stocking the rivers with non native species, ie: brown and rainbow. they eat all the food and inhabit most suitable habitats. this problem is years old but now they think they can solve it overnight with doing away with a trail system. the problem is deeper than that.