ACTION ALERT FROM SFWDA, UFWDA, and BlueRibbon Coalition:

As you know, in response to the recent request of the Forest Service to comment on the two proposals to establish new Forest Supervisor's Orders on the Upper Tellico Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) area, Southern, United, and BRC have enlisted the services of Carla Boucher and Paul Turcke to submit a formal response letter. In addition to that, we think it is important that you comment on the proposals as well. The request for comment is located here http://beta.sharetrails.org/include/.tmp/TellicoScopingLetter.pdf  for you to read.

We are providing you with a template letter with the following suggested outline in preparing your letters and remind you to put it in your own words. We urge you to mail your letters in before the identified date of October 17, 2007.

Your letter should be mailed to:

US Forest Service
Nantahala National Forest
Tina Tilley, Tusquitee District Ranger
123 Woodland Drive
Murphy, NC 28906

Include the date
Include the file reference information (File Code: 2350-5/1950)
Include reference (Supervisor's Orders on the Upper Tellico Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Area
Tell them who you are and why you are writing
Give your general and specific comments including:
1. The importance of the Tellico area to recreation and surrounding communities and the effects the closures will have
2. Tell them why you think the specific trail closures (Action #1) on Lower Trail 2, Trail 7, and Trail 9 is not justified
3. Tell them why you think the proposed winter closure (Action #2) is not justified
4. If you know the science, then talk the science
5. Talk about how no data has been provided and ask for the scientific data on which the closures are being based
6. Talk about all the mitigation/maintenance work you/your group/Southern has done and continues to do
7. Talk about what Tellico means to you, why you and your family value it, how you practice Treadlightly!, how you participate in trail clean up, etc.

In conclusion, express your opposition courteously but strongly one last time.

Include a statement of your support of the joint letter sent by Southern, United, and BRC.
Request you be added to further communications
Give your contact information
Signature
Please also remember to be courteous and substantive. In other words, "get it off my chest..." type comments are of little or no value. Finally, you need to keep a copy of your letter for future reference.

If you would like to use a TEMPLATE LETTER, here is one that you may cut and paste to use. PLEASE BE SURE TO ADD YOUR THOUGHTS IN THE LAST PARAGRAPH.

Template Letter http://www.sharetrails.org/uploads/PL/FS/Letter_Template_Tellico.doc

Thanks in advance for your support,

Heather Spivey
Southern Four Wheel Drive Associatio