Saturday, June 28, 2008

Still Ticked

Yeah, I've been real busy... who hasn't.
Don't remember the date of the last blog... about 3 weeks ago...

We are truly becoming a liberal communist society... or will if we allow it to happen around us.

Take a look at two recent bills introduced:
This first one in NY. Is this red China?!

Please see http://www.dec.ny.gov/regulations/2359.html#Proposed_Regulations

Written comments for Part 190 will be accepted through July 5th 2008 and should be directed to:

David M. Forness
NYS DEC, Bureau of State Land Management
625 Broadway
Albany, NY 12233-4255

Telephone: (518) 402-9428 (for Part 190 only)
E-mail: lf190reg@gw.dec.state.ny.us


Of particular interest;

Quote:
(dd) On State land, no person shall sponsor, conduct or participate in any organized event of twenty or more people, except under permit from the department. Examples of organized events include, but are not limited to: sponsored hikes; archery and fishing tournaments; snowmobile; bicycle, horse and orienteering races, runs, rides or competitions (including biathlons and triathlons); encampments; and re-enactments.



(ff) On State land, no person shall sponsor, conduct or participate in advertising, weddings or
film making and other such events, except under permit from the department.

I mean WTF!!

Then this one in MA:

Senate bill 2772

http://www.mass.gov/legis/bills/senate/185/st02/st02772.htm

Its a bit of a read if you go from top to bottom. Some memorable points.


SECTION 5 Said section 20 of said chapter 90B, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by striking out the definition of “Recreation vehicle” and inserting in place thereof, the following 2 definitions:-

“Recreation vehicle”, “off-highway vehicle” or “off-road vehicle”, any motor vehicle designed or modified for use over unimproved terrain for recreation or pleasure while not being operated on a public way as defined in chapter 90, including but not limited to, all terrain vehicles, off-highway motorcycles, dirt bikes, recreation utility vehicles, utility vehicles and all legally registered motor vehicles while not being operated on a public way as defined in said chapter 90,

SECTION 9. Said section 24 of said chapter 90B, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by striking out the second and third paragraphs and inserting in place thereof the following 2 paragraphs:- No snow vehicle and no recreation vehicle shall be operated which emits obnoxious fumes or which makes an unusual or excessive noise.

SECTION 10. Said chapter 90B is hereby further amended by inserting after section 24 the following section:-

Section 24A. Whoever violates any provision of sections 21 to 24, inclusive, or any rule or regulation made thereunder, shall be punished by a fine of not less than $250 nor more than $500.


SECTION 13. Said chapter 90B is hereby further amended by inserting after section 25 the following 7 sections:-

Section 25A. No person shall operate or ride in or on a recreation vehicle or a snow vehicle, or a sled attached thereto, without wearing protective headgear that conforms to such minimum standards for construction and performance as the registrar of motor vehicles may prescribe.

(see definition above: when we are in a state forest, on state land and even on private land and in the act of "wheeling", we are considered a "recreation vehicle". Yes, the above means that when wheeling, even on private land, we will need to wear helmets. If we are on a public way/road, we should be ok tho WTF!?)


Section 25B. No person under 14 years of age shall operate all terrain vehicle or recreation utility vehicle.

This section shall not apply to any person under 14 years of age operating a recreation vehicle or snow vehicle in a sanctioned race, rally or organized event which is supervised by a person aged 18 or older and has been authorized or approved by any municipal permitting authority. It shall be an affirmative defense to this paragraph that such person was operating such vehicle in preparation for such a sanctioned event, if: such person was so operating such a vehicle while under direct supervision, as defined by section 25C, by a person aged 18 or older; the operation occurred within 21 days of such sanctioned event; and the operator was a registered participant therein or did in fact participate therein.

Section 25C. No person between the age of 14 years of age and 16 years of age shall operate an all terrain vehicle or recreation utility vehicle with an engine capacity greater than 90 cubic centimeters unless directly supervised by an adult that is 18 years of age or older. For the purposes of this section, “direct supervision” shall mean that the supervising adult shall be sufficiently close to an operator at all times that the vehicle is in operation, such that a reasonable person under the totality of the circumstances including, but not limited to, vehicle and ambient noise, the landscape and geography of the location, and the operator’s wearing of protective headgear, would believe that he is maintaining visual contact and verbal communication with the operator.

(What the above means: 14 or younger CAN participate in a race, sanctioned event. They can practice for 21 days prior to that event, provided they actually participate in that event, and all of the above supervised by an adult 18 or older)

Here's the fine schedule for allowing your 12 yo kid to ride a quad/ recreation vehicle on your own land:

Section 25F. Whoever violates section 25 to 25E, inclusive, or section 26B shall be punished, for a first offense, by a fine of $250 and for a second or subsequent offense by a fine of not less than $500 nor more than $2,500 and the snow vehicle or recreation vehicle that the operator was operating at the time of such second or subsequent offense shall be subject to forfeiture under section 26J.

Yeah.. you read that right. Allow your 12 year old to ride on your own land if its the second time, you get fined up to $2,500 and have their ATV taken by the state.
Better to have them inside getting fat while playing video games, or even better, get em hooked on some illicit drugs... woo hoo! At least that way they can have the state pay their way for the rest of their life.


No wonder people call MA the Communistwealth.



CT State Forest Rd Closures


Of course, other than the canned response letters we all received, we haven't had any other word from the Governor's office.
I am proud to say that we wrote a minimum of 50 letters that I can accurately account for. We are working on some other avenues as well.

This brings up something that I was going to bring up at our most recent Region meeting:
(I'll preface this by saying that I know there will be some that think I shouldn't say this.. but.. I'm going to say it anyway)

We, as a community ...organized 4WD enthusiasts... simply are not seen as a viable, noticeable community. The squeaky wheel gets the grease. We aren't loud enough, we aren't in their face enough, we aren't noticeable. That can work for us.. but has also worked heavily against us.

The reason the CT Forest roads were closed is becasue we wanted to do the right thing. We wanted to do a clean up. Help the state that won't do ANYTHING for us. When the powers that be heard of our actions, they immediately closed the roads. If we contacted the MA DCR about doing work on any road within their state forests, that road would soon be closed to us.

My opinion and paradigm has shifted. I was all for doing the right thing. I can't say that I wholly espouse that entire thought process any longer.
I am not condoning haphazard wheeling wherever we feel like. However, if the research we do show the road to be an open road (IE, the state GIS shows it, the town/state forest maps show it and town records show that it hasn't been discontinued completely (something that can be checked w/o causing a stir at city hall) then we continue to treat that road as open until shown full blown proof it isn't. Gates, signs, state paperwork, etc. Getting a ticket is not PROOF that a road is closed. Of course, we must be willing to fight any tickets we may get.

CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE
The greenie wacko groups do it all the time. They blow up and burn buildings. They chain themselves to heavy logging equipment and/or trees. They throw paint on people wearing fur. They stand out on the town greens and shout at people driving SUVs, they vandalize SUVs.. all in the name of Mother Earth.
Hell, they even string up make shift guillotines that kill 13 year old boys.

( See the stories here: http://www.cttrailusers.com/forum/index.php?topic=1331.0 )

AGAIN.. I am NOT condoning ANY kind of violent actions.

However, if 50 rigs showed up on the stairs of the CT state capitol building, or at the Forest HQ or at the Governor of MA mansion... we would get attention drawn to our predicament.
If the roads at Breakneck are not posted, then we drive there... with the knowledge that we may very well get ticketed.. but if the roads aren't posted they are open. Those roads are shown plain as day on the State of CT's own forest maps.. the ones online available to JQ public.

Can you tell I'm really pissed?



If any of this offends or if people feel that by advocating any of this, I shouldn't be in this position as a Land Use Chair of a national 4WD association.. so be it.




Whats next?

Oh yeah.. they're still trying to close Tellico!

BLUERIBBON COALITION ACTION ALERT!

Dear BRC Action Alert Subscriber,

COMMENT ON PROPOSED CHANGES FOR UPPER TELLICO OHV TRAILS NEEDED!

The Nantahala National Forest today announced proposed changes in the 39.5 mile Upper Tellico OHV Trail System. The proposal calls for maintaining approximately 24 miles of trails, upgrading five miles of Davis Creek Road for street-legal vehicle use, and closing and restoring 11 miles of other trails. The Forest Service is asking for the public comments on the proposed changes.

BlueRibbon Coalition has gotten with our partners over at Southern Four Wheel Drive Association (SFWDA) to come up with some comment suggestions. In addition, we have developed a system to help you submit those comments in a quick and simple manner. To view the proposed changes, go to the forest's website at http://www.cs.unca.edu/nfsnc/nepa/tusquitee/tellico.htm.

This is also a reminder that the Upper Tellico Off-Highway Vehicle Trail System Open House on new Trail Management Proposal is scheduled for Saturday, June 28, 2008 1:00 PM until 4:00 PM. It will be held at the First Baptist Church, 517 Hiwassee Street, Murphy, NC. The church is located at the intersection of US 74-19 and Hiwassee Street in Murphy (across the street from McDonald's); entrance for the open house will be marked. Individuals may come anytime during the open house hours.

The public is invited to come ask questions and learn more about the proposal as well as submit written comments and suggestions.

Comments may be sent to the Tusquitee District Ranger, 123 Woodland Drive, Murphy, NC 28906. Comments may also be sent via email to comments-southern-north-carolina-nantahalatusquitee@fs.fed.us.

THE DEADLINE IS JULY 9, 2008, SO PLEASE TAKE A MINUTE AND SEND
THE FOREST SERVICE YOUR COMMENTS.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please contact BRC.
Thanks in advance for your support
,
Brian Hawthorne
Public Lands Policy Director
BlueRibbon Coalition
208-237-1008 ext 102


SITUATION
The Nantahala NF is accepting comments on proposed changes to the Upper Tellico OHV Trail System. Comment deadline is July 9, 2008. For additional information, contact Candace Wyman at 828-837-5152 extension 113, or go to
http://www.cs.unca.edu/nfsnc/nepa/tusquitee/tellico.htm.

WHAT YOU NEED TO DO
Please send an email to the Nantahala National Forest. Use the comment suggestions below. Be sure to add a bit of personal information.

If you want, you can use BRC's letter generator (www.sharetrails.org/letters/letter.php?id=14). It has an easy interface for adding additional comments and sending your letter.

INSTRUCTIONS:
Be polite. Be Professional. Be on time. (The comment deadline is Wednesday, July 9, 2008)

EMAIL COMMENTS TO:

  • comments-southern-north-carolina-nantahala-tusquitee@fs.fed.us- Acceptable formats for electronic comments are text (.txt), MSWord 6.0 or higher (.doc), Portable Document Format (.pdf), or Rich Text Format (.rtf).

  • In the Subject Line of your email, please put: " Comments on Upper Tellico OHV System "

  • Paste in the name and address:
    Tusquitee District Ranger
    123 Woodland Drive
    Murphy, NC 28906

  • It's always good to include a brief paragraph about how much you and your family enjoy motorized use on National Forest lands.

  • Use the comment suggestions below in your email:

MAIL WRITTEN COMMENTS TO:
Upper Tellico OHV System
Steve Lohr, Tusquitee District Ranger
123 Woodland Drive
Murphy, NC 28906


COMMENT SUGGESTION:

I would like to strongly suggest that the FS consider scoping for reopening and maintaining trails at Tellico instead of closing trails. If the purpose and need for this action is to reduce sedimentation in streams, then that should be the desired outcome of this analysis, not closing trails. If the FS were to change the proposed action to reduction of sedimentation, this would allow the FS to conduct a more comprehensive analysis under NEPA and could provide recreation opportunities to OHV community and reduce sedimentation in the Tellico River watershed at the same time.

I take issue with the idea that the FS is scoping to close trails at the Tellico OHV area based on inaccurate science. I feel that the FS is crumpling under the threat of a lawsuit by a sportsman-turned environmental group. The FS provided information states that Jenks Branch is the creek with the most sedimentation. I feel that it is coming from the Tipton Community rather than the OHV area. The upper portion of the "Lower 2" trail does not drain in the watershed and, even if it did, can be maintained. The area in between that was logged recently needs to be reworked as there were no BMP put in place during that logging and the result is erosion. This erosion is not due to the OHV area and therefore we as users of the area should not be punished for actions for which we are not responsible.

It is inaccurate to say the FS has to close trails because of maintenance issues when they are the entity that did not perform the maintenance. SFWDA volunteers have been working for years in cooperation with the FS and now that relationship is being cast aside in an effort to pacify another less involved user group.

The motorized recreating public will not accept monetary constraints as an excuse for trail closures. Ironically, it is the motorized user community that has been successful in securing substantial funds for OHV management. There are several grant and volunteer programs available, and the OHV community is committed to help provide the tools to address legitimate concerns about route maintenance. Therefore, my comment is that you address any legitimate maintenance concerns by incorporating a training protocol into your plan that would train agency staff on how to apply for grants, use the available ICE-T Money, effectively manage volunteer programs, and learn about and apply for other funding sources. In addition, you might consider MOUs or other similar agreements with recreational groups, such as the Southern Four Wheel Drive Association.

I believe that the USFS has not properly evaluated the impacts of closing or restricting the Upper Tellico OHV Area. I believe that the economic impacts to the area have not been considered at all in determining the current proposed changes. I believe that the Forest Service has not considered the rapid, explosive growth of interest in motorized recreation, and has simply wilted in the face of a NOI from an extreme environment group. The FS needs to consider the interests of others besides itself and the few environmental lobbyists and lawyers who represent a small but well-financed group who wants to prevent the public's use of land that rightfully belongs to the public. The FS needs to consider where the OHV operators who currently utilize the Upper Tellico OHV Area will go, and what damage may occur from that shift to other areas. I believe that current plan for Upper Tellico OHV Area is unfair, unwise, and scientifically and economically unsound.

We're not alone:

Controversial Washington Wilderness Bill Approved by Congress
Lawmakers Pursue Other Proposals to Limit Off-Roading

Congress has approved legislation designating 106,000 acres in Washington state’s Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest as wilderness. President Bush is expected to sign the bill into law. SEMA and the off-highway vehicle (OHV) community opposed the bill and supported an alternative version to preserve existing roads and trails on about 13,000 acres of the land. By law, wilderness areas generally prohibit roads and the use of motorized vehicles. The issue is consequential to SAN members as off-roaders will have less riding areas in the region.

The measure, which is commonly referred to as the “Wild Sky Wilderness” may sound familiar to SEMA members as it has been pushed in Congress for about five years. In years past, the bill was blocked by former House Resources Chairman Richard Pombo (R-CA) who, with SEMA’s support, proposed a compromise “backcountry wilderness” designation to set aside specific tracks of land that have existing roads and trails. Chairman Pombo was defeated in the 2006 election, and the bill’s sponsors were able to pursue the legislation without concession.

Leaders in the Democrat-controlled Congress are now moving forward on other wilderness proposals, which also may not adequately protect existing roads and trails. Currently, there are more than 20 other wilderness bills pending before Congress.



If you made it all the way through all that and have questions.. by all means, please do not hesitate to ask.

David Brill
Land Use Chair: East Coast 4WD Assoc.
V.Chair/Land Use Chr. Region D/Northeast of EC4WDA
President, Eastern 4 Wheelers
Tread Lightly! Master Trainer
Blue Ribbon Coalition
NAMRC
NOHVCC
SEMA/SAN
Brilliant Signs & Grafix
Guilford, CT








Saturday, June 7, 2008

CT DEP Sux!

The title says it all.
As many of you may already be aware, Pain Hill and Breakneck are now closed.
This brings up a couple of points.

First: As responsible 4WD enthusiasts, we should be open with the authorities and we shouldn't really be wheeling anywhere unless we are pretty damned sure that its legal. That means checking with the local authorities to find out if a road is still indeed an open road or if those state forest roads you're driving on are indeed still state forest roads.

Second: Even when we are as responsible as we can be and even when certain authorities say we are A OK, there will be people higher up who feel that our activities aren't "conducive with state forest ideals" and simply close an area. Or, say the area has been closed for years and that the ranger/unit manager in that area was turning the other cheek to our activities.

Third: There is no communication between the many arms of the CT DEP.

Fourth: The CT DEP has no qualms about breaking/ignoring the law themselves.

OK.. What happened at Pain Hill and Breakneck and why are they closed. (Get ready, this might get long)
About 20 years ago, we were shown the area known as Breakneck Pond. Some real nice 6 rated roads. Three roads actually, Breakneck Hill Road, Cat Rocks Rd and Snow Sled Rd. These are state forest roads, not town roads. They lie completely within a state forest boundary. From my research (staying up well after midnight last night searching) and prior knowledge, I can't find anything that defines a state FOREST road as to how it compares to any other state road. It would seem from what I could find that they carry the same regulations. However, it also seems that state FOREST roads don't have the same constraints in terms of public notice for closure, etc. In pouring over old maps, from the 1930's, those roads existed as town roads with different names. Once the state purchased the properties and took over as a state forest, the roads, which had been abandoned, became part of the state forest property.

Ok, back to the story: We, the 4WD community, albeit rather small back then, used those roads, with ranger Jim Kane's permission and knowledge. We did several clean ups there as well, one time pulling something like 6 junk vehicles from the woods. We were told by Jim that the powers that be within the state were having second thoughts about us using the roads and they were thinking about gating them. Jim said he would have no issue allowing us in though. Then a situation happened out there with an individual club that turned the eyes of the region on the area. 15+ vehicles and people got "stranded" out there right after a massive snow storm. This news hit all the papers and even the TV stations. With this kind of publicity, Jim said he would have to ask us not to use those roads but had a whole series of roads nearby that we could use instead. Paine Hill Rd and Bear Den Rd and a couple of other surrounding state forest roads. He showed us through them.

Jim Kane leaves the position and Marilyn Aarastaad takes over the position. In wanting to make sure everything is still good, we ask for assurance that we're still legal. She send us maps of what we can drive and can't drive. It matches what we had been doing for the last several years.
We run for many years up to about a year ago. not many clubs use the area as the roads are pretty tame, probably 4 on a 1-10 scale.

In the last 5 years, Capitol Jeep has held a charity ride and we have used Pain Hill area for part of the ride. Each year, a simple check into Marilyn would make sure everything was OK before the ride took place. There was never a need for any permits as these are state forest roads and as long as you're registered and insured... just like on any other state road, you're covered. One doesn't need a permit for ten trucks to drive down rte 5 or across rte 80. That is what I was also just told when calling again this year. Also, Marilyn retired and new person, Dean Hyde, took her place. He owns a Jeep and is totally into motorized use. In speaking to Dean, we discuss the Breakneck roads and doing a clean up etc. He is very excited. He speaks to his superior, Mike Reed who asks for me to contact him.I do and explain exactly what it is we do. He is also excited at the relationship we can have and how we can all benefit.

Unfortunately, Mike is the Eastern Region Manager (pretty much from 91 east) and he needs to report to others in Hartford about activities taking place in the forests. Of course, he's excited. Of course, everyone he tells is not. They have assumptions about what we do, and they wont listen to the truth, their assumptions are correct, not what we tell them or show them.
Also, at the same point in time, a landowner contacts us and says that one of section of Bear Den is private and has been for the last 50 years (funny how no signs have ever been posted to that effect and how there has never been a problem until now.) he is angry that the state has allowed this use and contacts the state yelling about the abuses.
This happens a day before the Capitol Jeep ride. Both Dean and Mike assure me that we will have no problems using the Breakneck roads or the Pain Hill roads. The event goes off w/o a hitch.

At that point the clean up is coming up in just a couple of weeks. I make pretty much final preparations with Dean as to where we will dump the large items, the trash bag sand even the junk cars that we'll be pulling. Two days ago, Thurs, June 5th, I get a couple of posts from people stating they know people who have recently been ticketed up on Pain Hill road and that the enforcement officer stated that the reason it was now closed was due to E4W and Capitol Jeep not getting proper permits to use the area. I immediately get on the horn to Dean and Mike. They both explain that the state is changing how they handle things and how people in the field will have much less input as to how their forests are used and operated. They apologize that there is very little they can do as the order to ticket people didn't come from them but from Hartford and through enforcement. They suggest canceling the clean up.

So, now I call Sgt. Mike Enrite who is in charge of that area of the state. He tells me that he is only aware of ATVs getting ticketed out on the roads but it was his impression that roads have been closed for years.
I explain to him everything that has taken place over the last 20 years and he reiterates the fact that the state is changing and the field personnel will have less to do with most of the decisions affecting their forests. He also tells me that his guys most probably aren't going to ticket anyone on the roads. If someone is off the roads doing something stupid, they will be ticketed.

Unfortunately, there is absolutely nothing that has any real laws or rules for our kind of use.
The state statues show plenty of laws that say that ATV riders have several places to go and that the state shall designate areas for ATV use. There are all sorts of laws RE ATV registration and where one can or can't ride them.
There are reams of laws that pertain to trucks and how they can or can't be operated on any kind of legal "highway".
Highway defined as: (37) "Highway" includes any state or other public highway, road, street, avenue, alley, driveway, parkway or place, under the control of the state or any political subdivision of the state, dedicated, appropriated or opened to public travel or other use."

There are all sorts of laws within the state forest section of the general statutes that speak to how parks and forests can be used for hunting, fishing, logging, hiking, camping, fires, etc. How, where ATVs can be used. Even an entire section on enduros. NOTHING on registered, insured, 4WD passenger vehicles. You see, it is assumed that the state forest roads are treated as regular state roads and so any/all laws that apply to state roads would also apply to the use of state FOREST roads. However, the gist of the matter lies within the DEPs SOPs.
Even there, things seem to swing in our favor. However, all the state will have to do is post them as closed. Posted from the DEP's own SOPs: Section 23-4-1
(l) Trails and roads.

(1) Trails are open to non-motorized, multiple use activities unless posted closed.
Use of any trail, road or path posted as closed by the Department of
Environmental Protection is prohibited.
(2) Use of Connecticut Blue-Blazed Trails and the National Park Service
Appalachian Trail crossing state property shall be limited to hiking except
where Department of Environmental Protection blazed trails supporting other
uses coincide.
(3) Public roadways in state parks and forests are open to registered motor
vehicles as defined in 14-1 of the Connecticut General Statutes and other nonmotorized
multiple uses unless posted closed.
(4) Service, logging and other roads closed to public use by motor vehicles are
open to non-motorized multiple use activities unless posted closed.

From Section 23-4-2:
(d) Motor vehicles, use restricted.

Motor vehicles, including motorcycles and motorized bicycles, are restricted
to operating on roads, parking lots, campsites and other areas posted for such,
except as authorized by the Department of Environmental Protection. The use
of all other motor vehicles, except motorized wheelchairs, is prohibited,
except as authorized by the Department of Environmental Protection.

That is where we stand. Its seems that as long as the roads are NOT posted as closed, we can go there... However, there is the chance of getting a ticket.. Much like at OFR. If we get tickets we fight them.
Although currently I would say treat the areas as closed, I will be doing a bit more digging and research and contacting those with legal backgrounds to look into this as well.
As I said, its something that we can probably prove ourselves correct BUT.. in turn all the state will have to do is post the roads closed. Use of this area will need to be decided at the next region mtg.

WOW!! So, in the last 3 weeks to a month, since my last blog.. what the heck else has been happening?

I'm going to skim over the next stuff because I took so much space with RE to Pain Hill.

The CCJC Land Use Seminar was well attended and from what I heard, and could see, only a few people fell asleep. LOL

There is currently a whole bunch of new trail work taking place in central MA this weekend. This will open up close to 3 new trails for use. There are about 3000 acres and we are working together with NEA to get this stuff cut and drivable.

Regionally, there isn't a whole lot else that has happened.
The signs have been getting posted throughout the region. They look great!



R E W A R D

____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________

$1000

____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________

For specific information leading to the arrest and conviction of the individual(s) responsible for the vandalism of the symbolic fencing resource protection signs located approximately 1 mile east of Ramp 49 in the South Beach area of Cape Hatteras National Seashore. The vandalism took place on or around May 10, 2008.

According to the National Park Service investigation, two sets of footprints were found along the edge of the fence line that extended from the dunes to the waters edge. No footprints or tire tracks were observed entering the closed area which was established to protect a least tern colony; no birds appeared to have been disturbed during the act of vandalism.

A recent court approved Consent Degree requires the National Park Service to automatically expand
the closure area by 50 meters where a confirmed deliberate act disturbs or harasses wildlife or vandalizes fencing, nests, or plants. The vandal(s) action leading to the subsequent enclosure enlargement have not caused harm to the birds but have caused additional harm to the businesses and ORV community recreating and fishing at Cape Hatteras!

Anyone having information please contact

United Four Wheel Drive Association
UFWDA
(757) 546-7969
BlueRibbon Coalition
BRC
(208) 237-1008

Each person submitting a tip will receive a code number for them to use in tracking the status of their tip. Tips made to UFWDA can be made anonymously, no caller ID is used and caller need not identify themselves.

Or contact Ranger Davis Carter of the National Parks Service, at 252-475-8326, P.O. Box 190, Buxton, NC 27920


HUMMER’s Recreation Rescue

OVERVIEW
HUMMER and Tread Lightly! have announced the launch of a new partnership called HUMMER’s Recreation Rescue, which will provide grants to outdoor recreation sites. The grants will be dedicated towards land use education, management and trail maintenance. At least $25,000 in grants will be given away in 2008.
HUMMER’s Recreation Rescue was created under the umbrella of Tread Lightly!’s Restoration for Recreation program. Restoration for Recreation is designed to keep the great outdoors beautiful, healthy and open to the public by providing much needed resources for trail maintenance, education and communications initiatives to allow for environmentally sustainable outdoor recreation.
HUMMER is a division of General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM), the world’s largest vehicle manufacturer, which employs about 321,000 people globally. HUMMER is a premium off-road vehicle manufacturer with sales in 37 countries and a product line-up that consists of the H2, H2 SUT, H3, H3x, and award-winning H3 Alpha. Information on HUMMER products is available at www.hummer.com.
TO VOLUNTEER
As part of this "rescue effort," we will need dedicated, hard working volunteers who want to make a difference for their sport and the great outdoors. Volunteers will be needed to re-seed, install signage and kiosks, build trail enhancements and do other important tasks. Check each project for volunteer oppotunties.
If you are interested in volunteering, just send an email to treadlightly@treadlightly.org and we will contact you with times and directions.


Rescue Tellico


Save Tellico Now

Before There Is Nothing Left To Save

SFWDA, UFWDA, BRC files Law Suit
On Thursday, May 22, 2008, The Southern Four Wheel Drive Association (SFWDA) along with United Four Wheel Drive Associations (UFWDA) and the Blue Ribbon Coalition (BRC) filed suit in US District Court Western District of North Carolina against the US Forest Service to restore access to improperly closed off-highway recreation trails located in the Upper Tellico Off-highway Vehicle (OHV) Area in North Carolina.

A Little Background
On June 28, 2007, Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC) filed a "notice of intent to sue" the USFS on behalf of the North Carolina and Tennessee Councils of Trout Unlimited, as well as Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility and the Southern Appalachian Biodiversity Project. SELC's threat demanded that the Forest Service permanently close trails, and seasonally close the entire system.
Caving under the pressure of SELC and TU, the Forest Service announced on December 18, 2007 there would be a seasonal closure of the entire trail system and Trails Lower 2, 7, and 9 would be closed for a year to assess the condition of the trails to see what needs to be done.

Closing trails does not address the issues and SFWDA feels that the Forest Service took steps that are not correct. This lawsuit is intended to reopen the trails that were improperly closed.

SFWDA has worked with the US Forest Service in the Tellico OHV area for over 20 years, providing free maintenance and restoration work to address the agency-wide maintenance backlog estimated nationwide at over $100 billion. The trail maintance, clean up, and volunteer work we have donated to the area is well over $100,000 just in the past few years. SFWDA values the relationship we have with the US Forest Service and plan to continue the work, volunteering and cleaning up as we've done in the past.

What are the effects of the closures?

The impact of closing the trails has greatly wounded the economy in the area. Not only are there fewer places to ride in the Upper Tellico area, but local businesses have felt the impact. Cabin Rentals, Campgrounds, parts stores have all seen a decrease in business. Outside of the impact to the economy, this act sets a precedent for large special interest groups to bully our government to preferentially close access to public land to one user group.

What you can do

Frankly, law suits are not cheap. We need your donations. You can donate online at www.SFWDA.orgor Tax deductable at www.sharetrails.org/rescue-tellicoor donate tax deductable through the United Land Action Fund at P.O. Box 15696, Chesapeake, VA 23328. You can purchase Rescue Tellico Items at www.cafepress.com/rescuetellico. All proceeds are donated to the Rescue Tellico Fund.
At the very least we need your membership. If you are not a member of any or all the below mentioned groups we need you. Please join us so that you can have your voice counted in unison with ours. If you have always wondered, what does my membership get me, here is your answer. SFWDA, UFWDA, and BRC are fighting to keep trails open so we have places to ride.

Please spread the word. This is not only a 4x4 problem but ATV, Motorcycle and UTV's are affected as well.

Who's Who

The Blue Ribbon Coalition is a national recreation group that champions responsible use of public and private lands, and encourages individual environmental stewardship. It represents over 10,000 individual members and 1,200 organization and business members, for a combined total of over 600,000 recreationists nationwide. 1-800-258-3742. www.sharetrails.org

United Four Wheel Drive Associations is an international organization comprised of four wheel drive enthusiasts, clubs, associations, and businesses dedicated to providing community services around the world, education in responsible land use and safe vehicle operation, and protection of our natural resources through conservation practices. 1-800-448-3932. www.ufwda.org

Southern Four Wheel Drive Association (SFWDA) was founded in 1987 to promote responsible land use and to keep public lands accessible for motorized recreation. Since the formation of Southern Four Wheel Drive Association, the focus and mission is to promote responsible land use and to help keep public lands open for motorized recreation. For more information on the activities and accomplishments of Southern Four Wheel Drive Association, please visit www.sfwda.orgor contact us at 1483 N. Mt. Juliet Road, PMB # 222, Mt. Juliet, TN 37122


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A whole lot to digest as always.

Talk soon,
Dave Brill