Author Archives: JC

Uwharrie National Forest OHV Area Update – Spring 2010

Off Season work is under way on the OHV trails system. NC Forest Supervisor Marisue Hilliard was in the Forest a few weeks ago to check out and approve plans and projects that Ranger Walker and her team at Uwharrie have in mind for this year and beyond.
Contract work funded by RTP funds (Recreational Trails [...]

Rescue Tellico Update 2-17-10

This is a statement from Blueribbon Coalition lawyer Paul Turke dated 2-17-10:
“The BlueRibbon Legal Team, in conjunction with Rescue Tellico and other interested parties, is in the process of implementing a multi-faceted response to the Forest Service appeal decisions dated January 15, 2010. These decisions affirmed the Forest Supervisor’s decision to continue closure of the [...]

Forest Service Releases Final Decision On Tellico OHV Area

The Forest Sevice Deciding Officer for the administrative appeals filed against Forest Supervisor Hilliard’s decision to close the Upper Tellico OHV Area has released his decision.
The Deciding Officer has decided for the Forest Service, concurring with and affirming the ARO’s, Supervisor Hilliard, October 14, 2009 decision for closure of the Upper Tellico OHV trails!
This constitutes [...]

Forest Service Malfeasance In Tellico Appeals Decision

As someone fairly new to the public lands access fight I continue to be frustrated and disheartened with the malfeasance exhibited by the Forest Service in relation to their Decision Notice to close the Upper Tellico OHV Area.
At issue at the moment is their blatant malfeasance in not following their own mandated Code of Federal [...]

Last Chance To Act Before The Forest Service Decides The Tellico Closure Appeals

This is your last chance to make a difference in the Rescue Tellico fight before the Forest Service makes a decision on the appeals that have been filed. I’m trying to make this as easy as possible, it is up to YOU to follow through!
Go here: http://www.votesmart.org/index.htm , type in your zip and get a [...]

SFWDA, UFWDA & Blueribbon Coalition File Appeal With USFS

The Rescue Tellico coalition, SFWDA, UFWDA and Blueribbon Coalition have filed an appeal with the Forest Service asking for the Decision Notice to permanently close the Upper Tellico OHV trails to be overturned.
Blueribbon Coalition counsel, Paul Turke, filed an appeal on Monday, November 30th. The appeal can be read here.
SFWDA member and registered Environmental Engineer [...]

Forest Service Stance On Uwharrie OHV Trails

I had the privilege of meeting with District Ranger Deborah Walker and Recreation Supervisor Theresa Savery November 16, 2009 regarding the OHV trial system at Uwharrie National Forest. I have spent more time on the trails there this year compared to years past and the overall condition of the trails was of concern to me [...]

Rescue Tellico – This Is More Than A One Person Job!

I only frequent three forums, SFWDA, NC4×4 and occasionally Pirate4×4, but I think  that between those forums I get a general  feel for the pulse of the 4WD community.
The pulse I’ve detected is weak and tired! I know a lot of you have given up. A lot of you have written emails and letters and [...]

Rescue Tellico – Conservation vs Preservation

From the SELC (Southern Environmental Law Center) website:
10. Saving special places. The heart of SELC’s mission is protecting one-of-a-kind sites of particular beauty or exceptional wildlife, historic, or natural value.
This is the SELC’s number 10 accomplishment in their list of top 10 things they have done over the years.
Merriam Webster says: protect – [...]

The Appeals Process For The Rescue Tellico Effort

This is the appeals process 4wd users will be following for appeals filed under 36 CFR 251 (Title 36 Code of Federal Regulations Part 215). This is another step in our fight to Save Tellico and we must adhere to these administrative appeals rules if we hope to continue our fight into the courts of [...]