Ocala National Forest Phase II

[GrizzlyBear]

The adventure trail (phase II) will stop at Juniper Springs and Mill Dam.

[Chuck_Norris]

Here is my reply.  It would help if people sending in there comments would mention some of the same things I have.

The Ocala National Forest Association is a partner with the USFS and we are firm believers in the designated trail system. We are members of two online ATV forums with over 6000 members, most of which are Floridians and many are very vocal.  I have had the information posted about Phase II and have asked for comments and asked the members to send comments to this email as required.  My comments reflect both my feelings and those of people who have sent me comments.

First of all, all the reasonable comments agree that the best alternative is alternative III.  I agree.  However, I have problems with the trail system in general and certain items in particular.  The 2000 census shows a population of over 10,000 within a 10 mile radius of the Lake George Ranger Station.  These people have an average family income of 60% of mean average family income. This is considered poverty level income.  I do not believe that the trail system has considered these people at all when designing the trail system.  Other then the Hog Valley subdivision in the northwest corner of the forest, no direct access has been considered.  These people live in the forest to have access to the forest. Making the forest only accessible from trailheads is putting a tremendous hardship on these people.  It is this type of hardship that will cause failure of the trail system.  This problem could be handled by providing access from different subdivisions that adjoin forest property.  Many areas of the country, the Hatfield & McCoy trail system in West Virginia as an example, provide access to the trail system from many different areas allowing the areas to see economic prosperity from the trail system.  This should be considered, and areas like Scrambletown, Lynn, FR 8 & Hwy 42, and the area near the Ocala Forest RV Park on hwy 42 should be added for access points. This added access will, by providing economic opportunities to the residents will help assure the success of the trail system.

Second, the phase II design, while extremely well done, is lacking in the area south of Highway 40.  The Ocala National Forest sits in the middle of 10 million people, the majority of these people live south of Highway 40, and as such, the easiest way to use the trail system will be to use this portion. The only trailheads for this portion is designed to be just south of Highway 40 on FR 88(the northern part of this portion).  It is my understanding that the Big Scrub campground will no longer be available as a day use area. I believe at least 2 trailheads are needed, one just north of Big Scrub (where the trail crosses FR 88) and one where the trail crosses FR 97 (the pipeline).  I am also concerned with the OHV corral at Big Scrub campground,  Lake Delancy Campground and any other areas designated for overnight stays. Requiring riders to leave there atv's away from the campsite they are using could be inviting theft, perhaps it would be better to allow them to have access directly to the campsites designed for atv use.

Third, this should not be the end. We must make provision for yearly revisions. This does not mean we should do this when the Forest Service feels it is necessary.  A committee should be formed of residents, business owners, atv users, other interested parties and Forest Service personnel to recommend changes. This trail system will be the best in the State of Florida, but there is no reason it cannot be the best in the country.


Terry Thompson
President
Ocala National Forest Association
352-680-9717
352-680-9728 fax
352-895-3561 cell
www.onfa.org

well said 

[Busta Nutt]

Is that Juniper Springs campsite or Wayside?

[grizzly04]

that's juniper campsite. thanks for the reply grizz. any word on how soon we can go for a swim and will  you be able to pull right up to the spring on your forwheeler??

[GrizzlyBear]

You will not be able to pull up to the Spring, However there will be a parking corral within walking distance to the spring.

[Ida_Mann]

You will not be able to pull up to the Spring, However there will be a parking corral within walking distance to the spring.

I would suggest that they will get much more use by ATVers if they include with the parking corral, a way for the people on quads to lock up their machines.

say just a big steel bar that is sunk in the ground that someone could bring a cable lock and lock up the quad to.  How many times have we heard stories of people going for a swim at Blue Sink only to come back and find their quad gone.

and the only thing they have left is a set of keys.

just a thought.

Id@

[KB]

Ida thats a good idea or maybe even a tree to lock them too, another idea could be if your brake rotors have holes in them to put a padlock thru the holes or a bigger padlock thru your chain sprocket if it has a chain.
Those will work as long as we have a place to park our quads that trucks or trailers will not be allowed to go in there because they can just pick them up & put them in the truck, but if they don't have a truck or trailer they would have to carry or drag them out.
Anoter idea would be to get one of those cable locks & lock a few quads together but anybody w/ a 18V cordless sawzall w/ a good metal blade could cut thru them pretty quick.
I wouldn't be comfortable leaving my quads anyplace I can't see them.
just some idea's FWIW.

[grizzly04]

i'm with you kb, that would make me feel uncomfortable too!