A U.S. Forest Service official said she hopes the public will agree to closing the 39-mile Upper Tellico off-road trail system off Tellico River Road in Monroe County.
The Forest Service is seeking comment on a long-term management plan for the off-road trails system in the Nantahala National Forest in North Carolina. The plan aims to limit sedimentation of the Tellico River, a native brook trout stream.
TO LEARN MORE
Read the Upper Tellico management plan and see maps at www.cs.unca.edu/nfsnc/nepa/tusquitee/tellico.htm.
Marisue Hilliard, supervisor of national forests in North Carolina, said a draft management plan last year proposed making the trail system smaller. That plan drew about 1,500 public comments, she said.
Now Ms. Hilliard believes that plan doesn’t go far enough.
“Our analysis indicates that on-the-ground conditions are worse than we first thought,” she said.
The Upper Tellico River watershed is an area of steep terrain, highly erosive soil and high rainfall. An environmental assessment has shown extensive damage and unacceptable levels of sediment into the Tellico River and its tributaries.
She said the Forest Service is in violation of its owns standards and North Carolina water quality standards.
Her recommendation is to close the OHV trails and only maintain about 10 miles of existing Forest Service trails.
“I want to emphasize that a final decision has not yet been made,” Ms. Hilliard said.
Heather Spivey with the Southern Four Wheel Drive Association said the assessment “is predicated upon wrong information” and that off-road enthusiasts will definitely be commenting on the plan.
Address comments to National Forests in North Carolina, Attn: Candace Wyman, 160 A Zillicoa St., Asheville, NC 28801, or fax 828-257-4263. E-mail to: comments-southern-north-carolina-nantahala-tusquitee@fs.fed.us.
Text Size:
Hey all you "off road enthusiasts" take them dip @#$& four wheelers and turn them into generators for your homes. If you want to see the wilderness, WALK IN AND OUT. Bunch off LAZY galoots. Worst thing man ever did was invent the ATV. HATE THEM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Despite the noise and pollution I'm not against ATV enthusiasts, per se. But in cases like this, where off-roading can affect people who are literally downstream, I'll get on board for tighter restrictions.
The Upper Tellico trails are too close to the rivers. The ORVs churn the soil with their lug tires, and the next storm carries the sediment right into the river. The best solution is to close the trails and rehabilitate the damaged area, as the Forest Service suggested. Nature will heal the scars if given a little help.
OHV enthusiasts spend 4 times more money on lodging, food, and gas than other outdoor sportsman
$4.8 million annually in tourism revenues by OHV users
Repairing contributes $1.5 - $2.6 million in OHV revenue annually
Repairing would create more than $1.4 million in local jobs.
Nearby streams are currently healthy
Nearby streams have excellent water quality per North Carolina standards
Nearby streams are capable of sustaining viable, reproducing native trout populations.
Nearby stream channels are very stable
Nearby stream channels convey stream flows without streambed erosion.
The trails are repairable and very much maintainable/sustainable after repair.