From the GA TTORA board, I found this out. Please read:
http://www.fs.fed.us/conf/sopa/toccoa/rich-mtn-scoping-ii.pdf
Apparently, the part of the trail that is being considered for obliteration is the best part. I've only been there once, guys, but it's an awesome place to wheel that is relatively close to Atlanta.

Please become informed about it and take some action if you feel the need. I would hate to see this place go away.

<small>[ June 15, 2003, 01:41 PM: Message edited by: Brown ]</small>

as been said on the TTORA GA board, please take into consideration that the Rangers dont want rich to be used as an ORV trail, so that might not be the best arguement.

*** copied from TTORA GA board ***

What you can do to help:
There are thousands of members in many forums, we need to take advantage of those numbers and be heard. The Forest Service has invited public comment on their plan and so let's comment (politely).

Send an e-mail to Jim Wentworth at:

jwentworth@fs.fed.us

and carbon copy the following addresses:

ccash@fs.fed.us
katkinson@fs.fed.us
acolaninno@fs.fed.us
lluckett@fs.fed.us

IT IS CRITICALLY IMPORTANT THAT YOU ARE POLITE AND RATIONAL IN YOUR E-MAIL if they get a lot of ranting, it could have the opposite affect we are looking for. If we are calm and reasonable, they will deal with us accordingly.

I'm intentionally not giving a form letter to use as it is important that the e-mails be unique and individual to have maximum affect.

In your e-mail:

Subject should be "Comments on proposed actions for the Rich Mountain Road"

To whom it may concern,

Some things to address in your e-mail:

-Make it known that you strongly oppose any Forest Service plans that would permanently close the Western 1.5 mile section of the Rich Mountain Road

-Agree with need to control erosion and reduce sedimentation in the water shed

-Point out that we can work together to acomplish this without permanently closing the road section

-Give examples of our track record of volunteering and assisting with clean-ups and trail maintenance. Mention our offer to adopt-a-trail and positive results that has shown at Beasley and Tellico

-Point out that having a 8-mile dead-end road is undesirable for ORV recreation

-Point out our values of safe and responsible off-road recreation and that we can work together to address the problems without permanently closing the road section

-Mention the vast resources at our disposal (labor, equipment, supplies, etc.)through the SFWDA and member clubs

-stronyly urge them to consider the alternative to partner with us and keep the road open and thank them for the opportunity to comment

-Close the letter with your name and address (if you are ok with providing that information)

Time is of the essence here, so please take the time in the next couple of days to compose and send your e-mail. If we can get a large number from this forum to respond, it will make an impact. Let them know that we are serious about working WITH the Forest Service to accomplish the needed results without closing the trail.

Now is the time to put our words to action and make sure your words are well thought out and convey your strong determination to help be a part of the solution.

Additionally, the Forest Service has requested to meet with reps from the local clubs on July 1st. We'll be sending reps from our leadership (southern jeeps) as well as the SFWDA. We'll meet directly with the FS and let you know the outcome of the meeting. In the mean time, Let's get busy writing our e-mails

I'll keep everyone updated in this thread as I learn more.

Bump!

I've written my letter-- have you? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" />

Time is running short before the deadline!

<small>[ June 25, 2003, 11:43 AM: Message edited by: Brown ]</small>

From the Southern Jeeps forum:

Here is the summary of the meeting provided by Dave Logan.

quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hi all,

Stefan Roth, Milt Webb, and I met with Ranger Cash, Kerwin Dewberry,
Larry Luckett, and Jim Wentworth today at the Forest Service offices in
Gainesville.

We had a 1.5 hour meeting to discuss Rich Mountain. They had already
met all morning with the Forest Supervisor to discuss Anderson Creek and
will be having a meeting with us about that area in the near future.

They had a pile of the letters they had received so far from the public
concerning the Rich Mountain Road closure. Jim Wentworth said he had 80
letters so far. My guess is that the OHV community had written most of
them. Ranger Cash was impressed that our letters were respectful and
rational. I think he probably got some "emotional" letters from the
other interested parties ;-) We need to maintain our good reputation
with polite letters.

The meeting was to discuss the issues and alternatives for dealing with
the Rich Mountain Road problems.

The Forest Service mainly listened. They'd raise an issue and listen to
our response. The public comment period is still open and no decisions
have been made. The FS just wanted to give us the chance to meet and
discuss Rich Mountain in person. That is good.

The erosion problems in the western 1.5 miles of Rich Mountain Road are
too severe for the FS to ignore. Their job is to protect the resources
within their boundaries. If they don't do their job, they can be sued.

From their perspective they are willing to allow recreational OHV use,
but they have to protect the surrounding area first.

The first priority is to decide what to do about the erosion problem.

Other issues include vehicles entering the Wilderness area adjacent to
the road. This is probably being done by ATVs, but there is clear
evidence of vehicles leaving the road and violating the Wilderness
boundaries. Again, if the FS doesn't protect the Wilderness, they
aren't fulfilling their mandate, and they can be sued.

Apparently there have also been issues with illegal artifact poaching in
that area. Some of these felons have been caught and prosecuted, but
they're using the Rich Mountain Road to access these areas. Law
enforcement will be needed.

Stefan, Milt and I responded to these problems and gave them
constructive ideas and offers of help. Stefan showed them that funds
were available to help pay for the repairs and maintenance of the road.
We again offered our help through Southern and the local clubs.

We described in detail how the use of water bars, culverts, silt fences,
and hay bales reduce the runoff. We talked about hauling in rock to
stabilize the trail. They understand that we have the resources and the
willing people to fix the road and keep it open.

There are funds and volunteers to keep it open. There is no one helping
them with time and money to close it. If closed there will be fewer
recreational OHV opportunities and more people will go to Anderson Creek
and Beasley Knob OHV trails.

It was a good meeting, but we did not go away with any idea what the
final decision will be. That's what they have to do. Be unbiased,
collect the comments, then decide.

Ranger Cash said that after the comment period closes on Saturday, he
will get the recommendations from his NEPA environmental team and
consider the alternatives.

Folks, it may be 2-3 months before he issues his decision letter. We
will know the decision once the letter is issued. Write now and then
wait to see what happens knowing that we've tried our best.

I think we'll hear something about Anderson Creek sooner than that.

Please pass this along to your members and encourage them to write
polite letters this week. Anything beyond Saturday will be ignored.

Dave Logan

--------------------------------------------------
Note: there is still time to write a letter or shoot an email to them.

<small>[ July 02, 2003, 10:01 AM: Message edited by: Brown ]</small>