They are stupid for wanting to protect fish habitat?
I know its a slippery slope, but do you honestly think they sell more 4x4 related product than they do fishing gear? They have a vested interest in the conservation of fisheries... just as they have a vested interest in the conservation of motorized travel areas, hence supportiong a conservation minded pro-motorized group such as Tread Lightly.
I don't know all the specifics on the Tellico situation, but it appears to me the Forest Service really dropped the ball. TU has been bringing the issue to their attention for 5+ years now, rather then act and keep the trails running with some minor changes (culverts, bridges, re-routes), they left it as-is. The same situation could/might happen in AF Canyon with the Forest Lake Trail... TU has been active in that canyon for several years (they were behind the Pacific cleanup), I know they have submitted information to the FS on Forest Lake on several occastions. Time will only tell...
Response from LL-Bean
Thank you for contacting L.L.Bean regarding our sponsorship with Trout
Unlimited. We have been supporters of Trout Unlimited since 1981 and
have always had great confidence in their resource management approaches
to support sporting interests.
We were unaware of the situation between Trout Unlimited and OHV trail
issue in the Tellico watershed, and we appreciate your bringing it to
our attention. We contacted Trout Unlimited in order for us to have an
understanding of the situation, and they shared the following
information with us:
"The notice of intent against the US Forest Service is not against OHV
recreationists. The intent is to hold the Forest Service to its legal
duty to abide by water quality laws, both federal and state, and to
abide by its own established regulations. Trout Unlimited did not choose
to file the notice of intent on the spur of the moment, it was the only
remaining alternative after years of fruitless, exhaustive negotiations.
The number of trail miles in the Tellico watershed vastly exceeds the
trail miles that were established under the FS management plan for that
area, in addition to the national standards for trail density. The
current trail miles are more than double the mileage allowed under the
current forest plan for the Nantahala and Cherokee Forests. I am sure
many of those trails were cut in by people who aren't responsible OHV
recreationists. The FS turned a blind eye while new trails were
illegally built without an inclusive, public process for comment and
engagement to discuss these dramatic changes to the original plan.
This watershed is also one of the last remaining brook trout populations
in NC and TN that was rated as having significant surviving populations
by the Eastern Brook Trout Joint Venture in their Status and Threats
report on eastern brook trout. I'm sure there is a way that we can all
work together to solve this situation where we can eliminate the threat
to the water quality and trout populations, while at the same time
providing OHV recreation. They have recently measured sediment loads in
these streams at levels 500-1,000 times higher than similar streams in
reference watersheds nearby. Some areas with trails right next to the
stream were contributing 59 tons of additional sediment per year, which
drastically affects trout reproduction and survivability."
L.L.Bean is fully committed to the sporting interests of our customers,
and we offer charitable contributions to non-profit organizations to
help advance those interests. While L.L.Bean does not have a position
in this matter, we continue to be confident in their approach.
We appreciate your taking the time to contact us. You are a valued
customer and your opinion is important to us. We hope you will allow us
to be of service to you in the near future.
