Forest Service: To keep silt out of streams, keep ORVs out of streams

Officials at Chattahoochee National Forest in Georgia have decided to permanently close Anderson Creek to off-road vehicles despite an effort to find a way to allow them in the creek. Officials said that, in the end, there was no way to have off-road vehicles in the creek and at the same time prevent increased erosion and silt in the watershed. And no wonder. Here are a couple of pics displayed by a local off-road vehicle group advocating to reopen the trails.

Public comments during the Environmental Impact Statement process ran 80% in favor of protecting the ecological values. Considering that Forest Service studies show that 94% of visitors to the forests are quiet-recreation users, I'm surprised it was only 80%.

Here's a report by the local newspaper, the Gainsville Times. And here's an audio interview with the district ranger announcing why they chose to close the creek.

Our friends at Georgia Forest Watch are to be congratulated for all their hard work in pushing the Forest Service into action and holding them accountable.