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Tellico Press Release

PostPosted: Mon May 26, 2008 8:31 am
by tammylynn
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT HEATHER ROYSTON ? (678) 463-7376
United Four Wheel Drive Associations (UFWDA), Southern Four Wheel Drive
Association (SFWDA), and the BlueRibbon Coalition (BRC) will file suit against the U.S.
Forest Service to restore access to improperly closed off-highway recreation trails
located in the Upper Tellico Off-highway Vehicle (OHV) Area in North Carolina.
On December 18, 2007, the agency issued a closure order which UFWDA, BRC, and
Southern contend is based on outdated and incomplete science. The law suit will seek
to declare unlawful and set aside the closure order.
?Our organizations value their relationship with the Forest Service, however
management by closure does not address the issues we need to be surmounting
through collaborative and creative efforts,? observed Jay Bird, of Southern Four Wheel
Drive Associations. ?There is no defensible scientific correlation between OHV use and
water quality, erosion, and sedimentation issues in this area, and our organizations have
long demonstrated their dedication to the environment and support of trout populations
in the area through user education, route maintenance and improvement. Active and
effective management of motorized recreation, not prohibition, is the only good answer
for protecting water quality and species habitat at the Upper Tellico OHV area,? Bird
concluded.
Further information about the plaintiff organizations, including information about
developments in this action and others, can be found as indicated below.
# # #
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
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
United Four Wheel Drive Associations
www.ufwda.org
P.O. Box 15696
Chesapeake, VA 23328
(757) 546-7969
BlueRibbon Coalition
www.sharetrails.org
4555 Burley Drive, Suite A
Pocatello, ID 93202-1921
(208) 237-1008
Southern Four Wheel Drive Association
www.sfwda.org
1483 N. Mt. Juliet Road
PMB #222
Mt. Juliet, TN 37122
Southern Four Wheel Drive Association (SFWDA) was founded in 1987 to promote
responsible land use and to keep public lands accessible for motorized recreation. Since
the formation of Southern Four Wheel Drive Association, the focus and mission is to
promote responsible land use and to help keep public lands open 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