From the Southern Jeeps forum:
Here is the summary of the meeting provided by Dave Logan.
quote:
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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
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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>
