Forest Service faces water quality suit

I don't think these vehicles made to destroy the earth should be allowed off the owners on property.

Gee, the NPS is guilty of citizen criminals driving in restricted areas causing damage to the roads all the while the NPS is dealing with cutbacks, layoff etc from, yep, your Pres Bush.

You guys need to get a grip and help deal with the problem rather than make it worst. Anyone can lead "sheep" to slaughter.

Typie wrote:

Gee, the NPS is guilty of citizen criminals driving in restricted areas causing damage to the roads all the while the NPS is dealing with cutbacks, layoff etc from, yep, your Pres Bush.
You guys need to get a grip and help deal with the problem rather than make it worst. Anyone can lead "sheep" to slaughter.

"Otey said the groups have been working with the Forest Service for almost a decade to remedy the situation but that the agency has not done enough to curb the erosion."

The democrats and their fellow nutcakes sure like their lawyers.

simple wrote:

<quoted text>
"Otey said the groups have been working with the Forest Service for almost a decade to remedy the situation but that the agency has not done enough to curb the erosion."

Where are the facts that the offroad area are causing the problems? The erosion could be natural. I have been to Tellico a few times to enjoy the wilderness with my family and did not see anything that would contribute to unnatural erosion.

Sometimes people forget that the offroad community care about the environment and are out to do harm, which is the exact opposite of our intentions.

Thanks for listening,
Steven (s10er8)

the OHV users are the only outdoorsmen who pay to use the area. now those funds and other funds the forest service has are going to be wasted on a ridiculous lawsuit. instead of wasting precious money on a court battle it could have been done to remedy the problem. like the picture of the mud hole in the article. by working with the forest service it has been fixed for almost a year now.

Otey's words are nothing more than a complete misrepresentation of the situation. There are not "hundreds" of trails in the ORV area. There are 12. Only 12 and only 11 accessible by truck.

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.

The fact that we are wasting money on this court battle astounds me. We as outdoors men need to work to solve problems and not fight eachother over the land. There are very few public OHV areas to ride and Tellico brings a tourist and money to the area. Puting nature in a plastic bubble or being narrow minded enough to think that one sport is better than another is just childish.

Typical Enviro-bable.
Lets dress a guy up so he looks like he's in a HAZMAT suit, place him in front of a rut and take his picture, so we can fuel public opinion about a frivolous lawsuit.
These people never do represent the views and wishes of the majority of the citizens of this State. The courts and the media should keep this in mind when considering actions such as this!

Oh, forgot to add that the ruts in the picture have been fixed, alot with ALOT of other things in the trail system including a few new bridges. Next time try using pictures that are up to date.

The Southern Four Wheel Drive association is an organization representing thousands of individual outdoorsman who donate time and resources to work with the US Forest Service developing and implementing solutions such as erosion control measures to mitigate the impact on the local watershed. This mechanism to preserve out natural areas for tourism has worked well in the past.
The forest service has already spent thousands of taxpayer dollars to construct a bridge over one of the main water crossings to reduce errosion and silt development. Efforts such as this are viewed as a positive move forward to benefit the natural resource for some while allowing continued access to public lands by all.
A lawsuit never benefits anyone but the lawyers and their effort to close the land is viewed as counterproductive in terms of having the various groups work togetheer for plausible solutions. The citizens want the OHV areas to remain open. Development of solutions needs to begin at the grassroutes level by all concerned parties, not something that is legislated.

I agree that it is being blown out of proportion. I was there last week and all the pictures they have are old pictures of things that have been fixed. I think the OHV community has just as much right to be there as everyone else. Both sides of the story need to be heard.

ron in waynesville wrote:

I don't think these vehicles made to destroy the earth should be allowed off the owners on property.

Vehicles made to destroy the earth include excavators and bulldozers. The vehicles that responsible offroad enthusiasts build are intended to provide recreation among friends in a scenic setting.

The popularity of the Tellico ORV results largely from its mountain views and natural appeal. As a responsible four wheeler, it is in my own interest to protect places just like Tellico. The last of my intentions is to destroy a place that I love to go.

The problem is being addressed through the construction of bridges across streams, in addition to higher day use fees (an economic tool intended to control traffic and fund trail maintenance projects.) The Southern Four Wheel Drive Association should be applauded, not criticized, in its efforts to preserve the Tellico ORV area.

Otey's words are nothing more than a complete misrepresentation of the situation. There are not "hundreds" of trails in the ORV area. There are 12. Only 12 and only 11 accessible by truck.

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.

Poor unwitting Trout Unlimited. If only they would stop and realize that they are next on the chopping block.

It's too bad that the SELC has designated one small recreational area as their chief concern. How about some zoning regulations in Buncombe County to reign in the out of control growth and steep slope development? How about addressing those that seek to facially impale the precious brook trout instead of wasting time and money on those that might accidentally disrupt a handful of sediment into the stream? How about spending your time and money assisting the Forest Service AND the responsible Off Roading Community with simple water breaks, silt fences, bridges and catch basins that can effectively improve the situation? Nah, that would be too simple.

"How about spending your time and money assisting the Forest Service AND the responsible Off Roading Community with simple water breaks, silt fences, bridges and catch basins that can effectively improve the situation? Nah, that would be too simple." Well said Greg! If they are that concerned they should help.
What gripes me is the publis only sees and hears the negative of our sport. They don't hear of all the work days that go on to help preserve the place. All of the people I ride with pack out what trash we bring in, obey the trail rules, like mentioned above, we love going here, so we want to help preserve it!

I would like for people to see whats been done out there that the eco guys are not telling you about. The mud hole in the picture has been filled in. They have built a bridge over one of the two large creek crossing, and are working on the second. My brother-in-law is a trout fisherman, and cought his limit this past weekend in a half hour. He fish catch and release the rest of the day and stoped counting at 20. Thats better then you could say about the local streams here at home. I do see both sides of the story, but I don't want the poeple to think we are doing nothing about it. Ms. Bompey if you would like to ride out there, we would be glade to take you to see it.

Despite the number of angry replies from off-road enthusiasts, the fact remains that the damage being inflcted now in Tellico will continue to be a problem - some of the effects of which will be irreversible - for our children and their children's children. People need to start looking beyond next weeks mud ride, and start waking up to the the problems facing our environment worldwide. And the best place to start looking is in our own backyards. How about taking a walk through the woods? And teaching your kids how to take care of these wild places? Or will your legacy be their belief that our forests are for their personal pleasure and degredation?

That picture is years old. The trail showed in the picture has been fixed and is maintained responsibly. Clearly the author here has an agenda and is unconcerned with the real facts.

John wrote:

Despite the number of angry replies from off-road enthusiasts,

I am not angry.

John wrote:

some of the effects of which will be irreversible - for our children and their children's children.

Nature is ever changing, the world has never remained static even before man was here. Trying to preserve everything is just as damaging as a wilful act to destroy it.

John wrote:

How about taking a walk through the woods? And teaching your kids how to take care of these wild places?

I am physically disabled and this is how I am able to get out in the woods and teach my children about nature.

Should I be the next to launch a class action suit against the NFS for my loss of wheelchair accessible parks?