The long anticipated Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Anderson Creek Off Highway Vehicle (OHV) area is now open for public comment.

Georgia ForestWatch has been working for 10 years to seek a permanent end to the catastrophic damage being inflicted upon one of Georgia's finest trout streams and hunting areas.  Local hunters tell us that hunting has improved dramatically since the 2005 temporary closure went into effect.

Forest Service decision makers are proposing permanent closure to protect the abundant water in the area.  Pro-motorized recreation groups are organizing and pushing hard to keep this area open.

The agency needs your help in demonstrating that many Georgians are concerned about protecting our forest waters from this kind of abuse. Let them know that you want to see the headwaters of Tickanetly and Anderson Creeks protected permanently!

How to submit your comments:

Deadline to submit your comments is 1/30/2008.

Address your comments to Ranger Alan Polk

Send your comments via e-mail to: jcowart@fs.fed.us

Send your comments via US Mail to:

Jake Cowart

Blue Ridge Ranger District

P.O. Box 9

Blairsville, GA 30514

What to say:

As always, please put your comments into your own words.

Let Ranger Polk know that you support Alternative 2 (permanent closure) as the best proposal for protecting the Anderson Creek Area.

Tell him how you feel about the impact of motorized recreation in the area, and thank him for his support of Alertnative 2.

Synopsis of the Environmental Assessment:

3 Alternative actions are proposed in the EA:

Alternative 1 is the “Do nothing” alternative which is completely unacceptable.

Alternative 2 proposes permanent closure of the area and mitigation of the existing stream impacts. This is the best approach for protecting and healing these steep, stream laced mountains from the miles of eroding trails and roads in the area. For many reasons this is the best alternative.  BOTH ForestWatch and the U.S. ForestService support Alternative 2.

Alternative 3 proposes a total rebuild of the areas trail system, increasing its length and use. The headwaters of Anderson and Tickanetly creeks are not the place for intensive motorized recreation on our forests. We do not support Alternative 3.

Background:

The Anderson Creek OHV area has suffered for years from rampant, uncontrolled and illegal use by motorized recreationists of various sorts. Some of the issues raised repeatedly by ForestWatch and our partners are:

• Siltation of Georgia trout waters, springs and headwater streams.
• Motorized recreation on steep highly erodible slopes is inappropriate.
• Conflicts with other forest users such as hunters and fishermen, campers, hikers.
• Noise and motorized impacts on wildlife.
• Safety concerns for OHV users and other forest visitors.
• Private land impacts, both noise and trespass.
• Miles of illegal trails created
• Maintenance tax dollars wasted on temporary repairs, over $60,000 to date.
• Tax dollars spent on law enforcement in the area.
  

For more in-depth background on the Anderson Creek issue visit our website at: www.gafw.org/anderson_creek.html