TELLICO UPDATE
Posted: Thu Jul 02, 2009 8:04 pmTellico update 7-1-09
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The waiting time for us to file suit has expired (it was a bit extended because we needed to address a few additional agencies and this set us back 2 weeks), so we can file at any time we wish.
As of now, the FS has not responded to SFWDA's NOI to sue under the CWA. We are not discouraged by this, and in fact do not want the FS to rush their analysis. The best thing that can happen (short of a complete change in heart and reopening the area with no changes) is that they decide that they need to do more research based on our work.
We believe that the work that our members and donors paid for in the Caliber Report and EA Comments is helping us to solidify our stance that the area can be maintained and should be reopened.
On the advice of our legal team, we are not filing suit right now and will wait until we hear from the FS. This could either be with a decision or some other communication in response to our NOI. We will, however, continue to travel to DC to talk with our elected officials. We will also continue to work with our attorneys, BRC, and United on the strategy we will follow when the time comes and a decision is made.
In addition, we are in the process of requesting some additional information from the FS to further explore the actions the FS has taken at Tellico. This is done through a Freedom of Information Act Request and is a formal way to make sure that the government is giving us all the information we need to build our case.
As far as funding goes, so far we’ve raised about 16% of the money we anticipate needing to fight this fight. Funds have been spent on the Caliber Report, fronting money for T-shirts and other fundraising items and paying the lawyers.
Finally, we now have a PR person within the organization that is going to be publishing updates to our members on the SFWDA forum (and I will cross post on other forums) on a regular basis. While things are slow, it will be every 2 weeks to a month. When we hear from the FS and activities pick up, it will be more often.
I hope that this answers many of the questions that are out there, but if not, please feel free to ask questions on this thread and I will do what I can to answer or find the answers. As always, your support is appreciated!
__________________
Heather
SFWDA Director of Land Management
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The waiting time for us to file suit has expired (it was a bit extended because we needed to address a few additional agencies and this set us back 2 weeks), so we can file at any time we wish.
As of now, the FS has not responded to SFWDA's NOI to sue under the CWA. We are not discouraged by this, and in fact do not want the FS to rush their analysis. The best thing that can happen (short of a complete change in heart and reopening the area with no changes) is that they decide that they need to do more research based on our work.
We believe that the work that our members and donors paid for in the Caliber Report and EA Comments is helping us to solidify our stance that the area can be maintained and should be reopened.
On the advice of our legal team, we are not filing suit right now and will wait until we hear from the FS. This could either be with a decision or some other communication in response to our NOI. We will, however, continue to travel to DC to talk with our elected officials. We will also continue to work with our attorneys, BRC, and United on the strategy we will follow when the time comes and a decision is made.
In addition, we are in the process of requesting some additional information from the FS to further explore the actions the FS has taken at Tellico. This is done through a Freedom of Information Act Request and is a formal way to make sure that the government is giving us all the information we need to build our case.
As far as funding goes, so far we’ve raised about 16% of the money we anticipate needing to fight this fight. Funds have been spent on the Caliber Report, fronting money for T-shirts and other fundraising items and paying the lawyers.
Finally, we now have a PR person within the organization that is going to be publishing updates to our members on the SFWDA forum (and I will cross post on other forums) on a regular basis. While things are slow, it will be every 2 weeks to a month. When we hear from the FS and activities pick up, it will be more often.
I hope that this answers many of the questions that are out there, but if not, please feel free to ask questions on this thread and I will do what I can to answer or find the answers. As always, your support is appreciated!
__________________
Heather
SFWDA Director of Land Management