From the Land Use moderator on Pirate 4x4

"When the Forest Service receives comments, there are three categories: (1) non-issue, (2) significant issue, and (3) non-significant issue.

Here is an example of how this works:

(1) Writing a commnet saying "The closures in Tellico are BS and I disagree with them". (This would be classified as a non-issue - it is a general statement and is not a specific comment related to the proposal and its effects)

If you just say that you disagree with the closures and that it is BS, it is a NON-ISSUE in the eyes of the FS. It's read, but tossed aside.

(2) The specific BRC proposal sent in during the scoping period (This was classified as a significant issue - specific comments regarding the proposal, specific disagreements with the proposal, not yet decided by law, regulation, or policy, etc.)

If you give arguments and reasons as to why Tellico should remain open, attack the wording, the research, the assumptions, etc. in the scoping letter, it is a SIGNIFICANT and SUBSTANTIVE comment. THIS IS THE TYPE OF COMMENT YOU WANT!!!

(3) I support the BRC and/or SFWDA stance and would like you to keep it an option (This would be classified as non-significant - general support for another comment already provided - as mentioned many times, the Forest Service does not count votes)

If all you do is say you support an organization and it's stance and comments, your comment will be listed as a "non-significant" letter

Please note, the term "non-significant" does not mean that the comment is simply thrown out and disregarded. It is a bureaucratic term. The Forest Service MUST read, review, and consider all comments.

Form letters are usually listed as "non-significant" That's why BRC gives you the option to add your own stuff in that box along with the other wording.

Your letters CAN make a difference. Just one letter from a person here on Pirate literally saved 300 miles of routes in Eldorado National forest.

Please also keep in mind that in the NEPA process, this is the very first step. We will have to submit even MORE comments during another public comment period, but bring every argument you can to the table right now during the scoping period."

Category: Press Releases
Date: Mar 31 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Upper Tellico Update

CONTACT HEATHER ROYSTON – (678) 463-7376

The Southern Four Wheel Drive Association (SFWDA), the BlueRibbon Coalition (BRC) and United Four Wheel Drive Associations (UFWDA), expressed disappointment today in the Forest Service decision to implement the emergency closure of the Upper Tellico OHV trails on April 1 pending review of the many substantive comments made by OHV enthusiasts.

Gary Parsons President of SFWDA said “We are very disappointed in the Forest Service decision to close the Upper Tellico OHV Trails. In formal comments made to the Forest Service, the OHV community and other interested parties clearly demonstrated that such a closure has no scientific basis. Substantive comments provided to the Forest Service included findings of an independent study completed by Caliber Engineering and the recommendations from a report completed by the Forest Service’s own Trails Unlimited Team. This is a bad decision and we are left with no other alternative but to pursue legal options.”

Carla Boucher, legal counsel for the United Four Wheel Drive Associations stated, “The Forest Service has failed to make the case with regard to adverse effects and resource damage. There is no immediate threat to public health, safety, or other requisite finding required by such an order. Water quality standards cited by the Forest Supervisor as the basis for such an order are not being exceeded.” Boucher added, “In making this decision, the Forest Service must be prepared to explain why similar findings have not been made in the decades of greater environmental impact and they simply have not done that.”

Greg Mumm, BRC’s Executive Director stated, “Implementing this closure order threatens the integrity of the ongoing planning process in which the interested public and our federal government have collectively invested significant time and resources.”

Mumm concluded, “The economic impact of this closure will be devastating to the area and comes at a time when the current administration is calling for more jobs, economic development, and healthy outdoor recreation. It makes no sense.”

# # #
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

The BlueRibbon 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

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



# # #

United Four Wheel Drive Associations (UFWDA) is the leading representative for four wheel drive enthusiasts. UFWDA is a group of individuals, clubs, state, regional, provincial and national associations and businesses in the United States and around the world; our members span the globe from the U.S. and Canada, New Zealand, Australia, England, Japan, South Africa, and Iceland. If you would like more information on how you can be a part of this effort contact United Four Wheel Drive Associations today at 14525 SW Millikan Way #22622, Beaverton, OR 97005-2343, 1-800-448-3932 or visit www.ufwda.org.

Noticed this on there site today... I know this old news but anyway...:duh

i heard tellico is gone for sure now