List of People to Contact for OHV Concerns

[hh-sportsman]

Do have a sample letter?  I have seen this to be very effective for getting the message out with other groups like NRA, and Gun Owners of America?

[OviedoRaptor]

I posted a letter in the first part of this string.

[dirty2]

I have sent many email
soon we will have lots of places to ride
[smiley=drive.gif] [smiley=drive.gif]

[SkyHighT100]

LMAO, I wish that were true.

[dirty2]

When they get sick of us riding everywere and sending letters they will have to start opening up some parks to ride
[smiley=ThumbsUp.gif]

[AintSkeered]

Off-Highway Vehicle Advisory Committee Meeting:
April the 26th from 1 pm to 7 pm
International Game Fish Association Hall of Fame and Museum
300 Gulf Stream Way
Dania Beach, FL 33004

For more information, contact: Chris Reed at 352/ 544-5136, email reedj1@doacs.state.fl.us.

I emailed Chris Reed and here's his replay;

Robert,


           The OHV Advisory Committee Meetings are open to the public and we invite your comment.  The status of potential areas being sought to provide OHV recreation will be discussed.  At this time I do not have a finalized agenda, but as always there will be a time on the agenda for public comment.  I understand folks have to work, so I plan to schedule the public comment portion of this meeting from 5:30 to 6:45.

Chris Reed, OHV Coordinator

FDACS – Division of Forestry

So, those of you in SFL should attend the comment portion of this meeting two weeks from tomorrow. See ya there!

[dirty2]

Any updates

[AintSkeered]

I got your update right here! 4,700 ATVs were titled in Broward County, FL this year and, at least, 4,675 of their owners were too busy to attend today's OHV meeting in Dania(across from Fart Lauderdale airport).

[LittleBit]

I sent the sample letter to several people. Here is my latest response that I got for someone in Jeb Bush's office.

Dear Ms. Slate:

Commissioner Charles H. Bronson has requested that I respond to you
concerns regarding the US Forest Service action on the Ocala National
Forest.  We have just received information from the US Forest Service
regarding a partial closure of approximately 8,200 acres on the Ocala
National Forest.  They have sited that they must proceed with this on
portions of the most heavily impacted area in the southwest portion of
the forest.  This area is near the community of Linadale will be
restricted to designated roads.  

The US Forest Service has determined this partial closure is necessary
to prevent ongoing damage from off highway vehicles riding off roads.
According the U.S Forest Service that monitoring of the resource has
indicated that unacceptable impacts are occurring.  

When the Florida legislature created the T. Mark Schmidt Off-Highway
Vehicle Safety and Recreation Act, they clearly intended that since
off-highway vehicles are becoming increasingly popular in this state,
that the use of these vehicles should be controlled and managed to
minimize negative effects on the environment, wildlife habitats, native
wildlife, and native flora and fauna.  

To minimize the impacts, the US Forest Service also outlined that this
will be an ongoing access designation process that will eventually limit
off-highway vehicle use to a system of roads and trails throughout the
Ocala Nation Forest.

Your are correct that funds from titling off-highway vehicles (OHV) have
been collected and most are being used for a grant program to assist
public agencies with enhancing existing OHV areas, provide for safety
courses, protection of resources, or acquisition of new areas.   By July
1st a new trail system will be open on Tates Hell State Forest in
Franklin and Liberty Counties, and will consist of 154 miles of trails.
Other county owned lands and state owned lands are being evaluated for
OHV in other areas of the state.  

I regret that this could affect the legitimate riders who respect the
land and enjoy outdoor recreational activities.  Should there any
questions about this action on the Ocala National Forest, the US Forest
Service contacts are:  

Ms. Denise Rains Rick Lint, District
Ranger
Public Affairs Officer Seminole Ranger District
National Forests in Florida 40929 State Road 19
Phone:  (850) 523-8568 Umatilla, FL 32784
drains@fs.fed.us Phone: (352) 669-3153

If you have any questions or require additional information, please let
me know.

Sincerely,
Steve Bohl
850/414-9914

Does anyone know where this Tates Hell State Park is?

[lisa]

 Gee, this is what I was saying in Open Discussion. Now here it is.... You guys want to really do something about all this? Join forces with others who enjoy other recreational activities, numbers is what we are looking for here. Number of folks from all different activities to band together just like the greenies do.

There is no denying that a few bad apples are spoiling all our fun. Bad apples in all different recreational activities.

Here is a link for those so inclined to "do something". It is an appeals process that allows you to appeal closures, etc. in National Forests.
http://www.fs.fed.us/emc/applit/appeals.htm

Also, keep an eye on my blog. I am trying to keep folks up on some of the things the environmentalists use to close areas, and what areas are being closed. The link is: http://www.floridaenvironmentalissues.blogspot.com

[AintSkeered]

http://www.arra-access.com/arra/washingtonnewsletter_august05.html?member_key=e6i63n415587dk&

August, 2005 Newsletter

Recreational Trails Program

Miracles do happen in Washington, even in July!  After months of writing about it, we are pleased to report to you that the Congress has finally passed the highway authorization bill. This means the Recreational Trails Program has been reauthorized for five more years with an increase in authorized funding of $370,000,000.

This is a major accomplishment!  Many recreation groups have worked very hard to shepherd this program through a very lengthy reauthorization process.  The fact that RTP was not only reauthorized but also received a significant increase in authorized funding is very good news.  ARRA members have consistently been in touch with their Senators and Representatives urging support for RTP, and this hard work has finally paid off.  Congratulations to all who have supported this important program.

New Forest Service Report on OHV Recreation

Hot of the press, the Forest Service has just released a major study on OHV recreation.  This is an excellent report with a wealth of information.  OHV enthusiasts will find this to be a very good resource for OHV data.  The report is called:  Off Highway Vehicle Recreation in the United States, Regions and States.  To access this report, please go to this link: http://www.fs.fed.us/recreation/programs/ohv/OHV_final_report.pdf.

 

[themensh]

 This  is a great post, and as soon as I buy some stamps this week,
I will be sending a couple letters.
   May I remind you all that if you intend to write a letter on our behalf, that well written letters and spell checking would not hurt.
 Mention any club you may belong to, mention the numbers of people
wanting more trails. Acknowledge the need for enviromental concerns but insist that off road vehicles can co-exist.
  We are not in a position of ultimatums right now......as I see it  (and I have yet to pick up my ATV that I have just bought).....we may be trying  to hold on to what is available?

  I saw this mans name in the "news" section:

>>Tommy Neal, a Leesburg resident and area director for the Florida Trailriders Association, which has more than 2,000 members, called the new regulation anti-family and denounced it as part of a "continuing saga" to whittle away the permitted uses of the forests...<<

....is he still up for the challenge. Are WE  up for the challenge?   
    We may need to get organized......and the time may be slipping.
  Write a letter.......


                 Chuck

[Eworm]

I just sent my letters AGAIN! I think the main problem is getting organized. The best thing would be to get a commitee of about 8-10 people preferably from different areas primarily in South Florida and start the process of getting people organized to represent our sport and present our needs. Who would volunteer for this. I know I would! I am from Miami and this area would be covered but again the more the merrier!!

[themensh]

   Another idea...and I know you people hate writing letters......but in the long run it may HELP us ATV'rs....
    but......write and ask your County Commisioners.......
"  How about applying for "ECHO" grants to buy vacant land.  The land would help replentish the water table/aquifer..ATV'rs could use or make trails and ride. ATV/trail bike users could pay a fee to use the land."
  The county gets land to be used for recreation..........gets fees for usage.
  Just think if every county could buy a few hundred acres?
     ATV users (a group or club) could 'adopt' the park...help provide
up keep the same way ROADS are adopted?
          Just 'thinking' on the key board......
    Like I have mentioned before....I am just getting started in this ATV activity. 
I know West Virginia  and New York State  help maintain trails.....and probably more states.
    We need more riders to voice their wants.....but as far as I can tell, there are no 'real' ATV clubs, are there?
  This website is about as big a gathering of info as I have seen.
(I rode at big scrub this past weekend and couldn't tell if anyone was associated with this site.)
      We do need to get the word out though......seriously.

           Chuck

[Eworm]

ORGANIZATION IS THE KEY. We all have a lot going on in our lives but we have to be organized if we REALLY love this sport and I know I do!!!

[MILTON_ATV]

i live in nothwest florida and as yet there is no place to ride.  Has anyone heard of a place being opened up in this area?  Seems like south and central florida is doing well with establishing areas but nothing is happening over here.

[Eworm]

i live in nothwest florida and as yet there is no place to ride.  Has anyone heard of a place being opened up in this area?  Seems like south and central florida is doing well with establishing areas but nothing is happening over here.

actually only central is doing ok, not great but ok. S.FLA and N.FLA are not doing good. Perhaps you can represent in the northern section.

[MILTON_ATV]

I emailed my county commisioner today concerning the northwest florida area.  I encourage anyone living in this area to do the same, power by the numbers may make a difference.

[AintSkeered]

http://www.fs.fed.us/news/2005/releases/11/travel-management.shtml

[themensh]

"OHV and other motorized vehicles are fun and exciting ways to experience national forests and we’ve seen dramatic increases in their popularity in the last decade," said Forest Service Chief Dale Bosworth. "Land managers will use the new rule to continue to work with motorized sports enthusiasts, conservationists, state and local officials and others to provide responsible motorized recreational experiences in national forests and grasslands for the long run."

   Sounds like we need to write to Mr. Bosworth.....

               Chuck

[AintSkeered]

Florida OHV Recreation Management Workshop
May 1- 4, 2006
Hilton-Ocala
Ocala, Florida

http://www.fl-dof.com/calendar/2006_ohv_may_wkshop.html

[AintSkeered]

http://www.nps.gov/bicy/pphtml/newsdetail20491.html

[AintSkeered]

http://www.arra-access.com/arra/join.html?r=h71igU111mfzE

Now that the Forest Service has issued its Final Rule on the OHV route designation process, it is extremely important that OHV riders participate in this process.  We have compiled a comprehensive list of all National Forest locations for the convenience of our ARRA members.  A link to the list can be found on our website.

Please note that the list has been organized in alphabetical order by state and that the name of each forest acts as a link to each forest’s website.  We would encourage you to take a look at the list and find the forest(s) closest to you to visit and familiarize yourself with the site.  We hope that in coming weeks you will get in touch with your local office to inquire as to how you can participate and when they will be scheduling meetings to solicit public input on the designation process.  Please let them know that you want to be involved.

In the months ahead, ARRA will endeavor to provide you with as much advanced information about the designation process as is available.  We encourage you to check out our website on a regular basis.  However, please also check your local Forest's website regularly, as it may have more up-to-date information.  Being informed and becoming involved is the best way to ensure that the designation process does, in fact, provide opportunities for more OHV recreation on Forest Service lands.

[Eworm]

Florida is not even on there! We are in for a long battle....

[ezgator]

Not to long ago ATV's in Florida came with a Fl title, with this you could get a tag for beach riding.