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.