United States      Forest        National Forests         160A Zillicoa Street 
Department of      Service       in North Carolina        P.O. Box 2750        
Agriculture                                               Asheville, NC  28802 
                                                                               


                                       For Immediate Release
                                       December 11, 1997


Pisgah National Forest, Grandfather Ranger District Announces Winter Closure
and Planned Repairs for the Brown Mountain Off-Road-Vehicle (ORV) Area




MARION,NC.....Grandfather District Ranger Mike Anderson announced a winter

season closure and scheduled repairs for the Brown Mountain ORV Trail system.

"We will be closing the 25 mile Brown Mountain ORV trail system between January

2, and March 15, to prevent trail tread damage from vehicle traffic on soft,

wet soils during the winter.  The trails will be reopened in March as soon as

the soils dry out enough to permit vehicle use. We will try to complete a

number of trail repairs done while the system is closed," said Anderson.


The Brown Mountain ORV area, about 20 miles north of Morganton, NC, on the

Pisgah National Forest, is heavily used by ATVs, motorcycles and 4WDs. Users

come from  Burke and Caldwell Counties, as well as Hickory, Raleigh,

Winston-Salem and Charlotte.  The Brown Mountain  ORV area is one of only four

ATV areas on the National Forests in North Carolina and the only area on the

Grandfather Ranger District where it is legal to ride an ORV.

                                    -more-


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"While some of our users will be disappointed that the trails will be closed

for a couple of months this winter, we hope that that they understand these

seasonal closures are necessary to protect the trail system," said Anderson.

"When soils freeze and thaw and are wet they become very soft and just a little

use can create a tremendous amount of damage to the trail system.  We have a

valuable recreation resource in this trail system, thanks in large part to the

volunteer efforts, especially by the Unifour Trail Bike Club."


ORVers pay S3/day at the trail entrance or S25 for a season pass that may be

obtained at the Grandfather Ranger District Office on Interstate 40 at Exit 90,

Nebo.


For more information about Brown Mountain ORV area or to volunteer to help with

trail maintenance, contact the Grandfather Ranger District at 704-652-2144.



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