Tellico Work Results for 2004

by Stefan Roth

Southern 4WD Association members again performed huge amounts of volunteer work at Upper Tellico OHV Area for fiscal year 2004 (October 1, 2003 – September 30, 2004). Our members spent thousands of hours of their free time performing volunteer work, additionally bringing their own vehicles and equipment to help out. The value of volunteer labor and materials again exceeded $30,000 for the year.

The Forest Service currently has significant funding available for the area from the Recreation Fee Demonstration Program (daily permit fees and special use permits) and OHV Initiative Funding from the Forest Service Regional Office in Atlanta.

According to information received from Bill Champion, Supervisory Forester, this is the work that was performed in the last year:

1. Repaired/rebuilt approximately 30 silt traps on trail 1.
2. Cleaned out all silt traps on trails 1 & 5.
3. Re-worked drainage structures on trails 6, 8, and part of 4 & 5.
4. Hauled additional surge stone and placed on trails 4 and 5.
5. Repaired drainage problems on trails 8 and 10.
6. Closed major illegal trail from Coldspring Gap down to trail 10.
7. Contracted road repair work on a critical section of Beaverdam Bald Road just above the intersection of lower Trail 2.
8. Placed a significant quantity of gravel from the Jenks Branch Timber Sale on the Beaverdam Bald Road.
9. Designed, ordered and received new entrance signs for the OHV Area.
10. Allen Gap road widening and parking lot project was cleared through NEPA and completed design. Work to be contracted in FY 05.
11. New Supervisors Orders were signed and put into effect in January.
12. Prescribed burned 400+ acres.
13. Participated in the joint cleanup day with CNF/TU/SFWDA et al. One of the most successful and widest coverage cleanups I’ve been involved with.
14. Placed an additional $10,000 of gravel on Davis Creek Road.
15. Removed hazard trees from dispersed camp sites and parking areas onTipton Creek and lower Tellico River.
16. Volunteer contributions in FY 04 are approximately $30,000 +.
17. Tellico Bridge at the Rough Crossing is being designed and construction contract is expected hopefully in 1st quarter of FY 05
18. Mowed all of Davis Creek Road/Trail 1 and part of Trail 5 for sight distance/safety.
19. Re-signed approximately 2/3 of trails in the area.
20. Repaired safety hazard on Trail # 11 (excessively outsloping rock).
21. Cleaned bridge decks of silt/dirt.

The following are plans for Fiscal Year 2005:

1. More aggressive cleaning of silt traps on all trails.
2. Re work dips/waterbars and other drainage on approximately 2/3 of the total mileage.
3. Continue to haul and place surge stone on trails as needed.
4. Let contract and construct bridge at the rough crossing on Trail # 5. (Trail # 5 will be temporarily closed to all public traffic for the duration of the bridge construction project once it begins).
5. Complete surveys, analysis, NEPA documentation and bridge design for the Fain Ford Bridge. Will be working on attempting to get another grant to construct this bridge in FY 06.
6. Evaluate, clear through NEPA, and construct a new parking lot near the state line. (We will also be looking at additional parking area possibilities in the area during FY 05).
7. Additional mowing on main roads/gravel replacement/ etc.
8. Replace approximately 10 culverts.
9. Additional grading of the Davis Creek Road and additional gravel if possible.
10. Contract the Allen Gap road widening and parking lot project.
11. Rehab critical campsites along Tellico River/Tipton Creek to control run-off.
12. Work on hiring/creating a Tellico Ranger position for monitoring/coordination with volunteers, etc, etc.
13. Participate in annual clean up day.
14. Inspect and do necessary maintenance on all bridges.
15. Continue looking for and closing all illegal trails, connector trails from outside the system, etc.
16. Evaluate raising user fees in FY 05.
17. Install new entrance signs/directional signs to the area/
18. Continue to try to find additional funds for upgrading Davis Creek Road.

Note that NEPA stands for National Environmental Policy Act, which says how the Forest Service (and other government agencies) must perform studies and request public comments on planned projects and proposed rules.

Thank for to everyone who volunteers their efforts, not just at Tellico, but all our 4-wheeling areas!