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View Full Version : Please help us save an OHV park in North Carolina



BigClay
05-05-2010, 09:23 AM
Short story: Due to a court ruling, the Forest Service must make a new Land and Resource Management Plan for each national forest. YOU can have a say in how this plan is made! But you have to do it BEFORE May 8th, 2010. ONLY if our voice is heard can we expect Uwharrie to be there for our future use.

Here is where you can read The Plan draft: http://www.cs.unca.edu/nfsnc/uwharri...arrie_plan.pdf (http://www.cs.unca.edu/nfsnc/uwharrie_plan/preliminary_draft_uwharrie_plan.pdf)

Here is where you can send your comment: submit remarks to:
comments-southern-north-carolina@fs.fed.us (comments-southern-north-carolina@fs.fed.us)
Include "Uwharrie Plan" in the subject line.

If you don't have time to read the plan and formulate a comment, at least take the time to copy, paste and send the following.

SAMPLE COMMENT

"Thank you for the opportunity to participate in the planning process for Uwharrie National Forest.

As a user of national forests I ask that you continue to provide FULL SIZE OHV, "Jeep", trails as part of the new plan."

SirFuego
05-05-2010, 09:50 AM
Are there any other National Forests we need to lobby for? Isn't Land Between the Lakes (Turkey Bay) also a national forest currently with OHV access?

Would this be a good time to lobby for OPENING OHV trails at other national forests? The thing that has always sort of bothered me about the land use groups is that they only lobby to keep trails open -- but not to open new trails. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate their efforts because they have the resources (i.e. time, people and money) that I don't, but it seems that lobbying to keep trails open would gain more credence if we are able to open up new trails, too.

Sudz
05-05-2010, 10:38 AM
http://www.unca.edu/

really? you actually think you are going to have any input or impact in the decision making?

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Region headquartered out of a liberal institution of higher learning

good luck

do a little homework and find out who the folks are that spearheaded the closing of Tellico (and what institution they are affiliated with)

hint: i linked it


Hope & Change

BigClay
05-05-2010, 12:04 PM
It is worth a try, so why not?

Ken L
05-05-2010, 12:34 PM
It is worth a try, so why not?

The USFS has to log every comment as a part of the public record. If an organization logs a comment, it allows the organization to file or participate in a lawsuit if it comes to that.

So yes, it is worth a try.

Sudz
05-05-2010, 12:56 PM
The USFS has to log every comment as a part of the public record. If an organization logs a comment, it allows the organization to file or participate in a lawsuit if it comes to that.

So yes, it is worth a try.
several lawsuits were filed in the Tellico battle - it worked out well

The 'new' USFS agenda has nothing to do with public access

Ken L
05-05-2010, 02:27 PM
Doing nothing is always a great option.

We do have to defend our form of recreation. There is a group of OHV recreationalists that feel that the right way to protest is to go wherever there is a "road closed" sign with their 4x4. That's not going to gain our cause any more support from those that are neutral or on the fence. Our opponents use emotion in their tactics, we need to stick to unrefutable facts.

Comments on the Mount Hood National Forest's (Oregon) Off Highway Vehicle Management plan caused the USFS to admit that they had to do more detailed field work before submitting the Environmental Analysis to determine the Environmental Impact Statement before filing the Record of Decision. Had there been no comments, the MHNF would have been summarily closed.

Comments were made on the Gila National Forest's (New Mexico) Travel Management Plan, asking them to expand the list of alternatives to be considered. The Forest recently did that, which brought OHV recreation back into consideration.

Comments may not make a difference every time, but if we as a group don't comment I can guarantee the outcome!

Sudz
05-05-2010, 08:31 PM
Doing nothing is always a great option.
where did i say do nothing?

i'm merely pointing out the fact that this particular regional office has an agenda and it doesn't include OHV access

petition away, merrill