The Tennessee Department of Agriculture’s Division of Forestry is doubling down on efforts to protect Pickett State Forest with renewed restrictions, continuing to ban public motorized vehicle use and camping in the forest’s northwestern reaches until February 1, 2025; this decision comes in the wake of significant ecological damage attributed to off-road vehicle activity. According to a recent announcement by State Forester Heather Slayton, the damage done by ATVs and UTVs has led to increased erosion, degradation of water quality, and threats to forest health and visitor safety.