FWC Changes - NOT ONLY THE HOLEYLANDS!!!

[digginfool]

There are at least a half-dozen WMAs where ATV use will be restricted or prohibited with the new proposed changes.  For every area we have lost in the past, you have all wailed about how this could happen.  THIS IS YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO STOP THE ELIMINATION OF OUR RECREATIONAL PRIVILEDGES!!  Follow this link, find your favorite WMA on this list.  IF it's not there, then at least make comment on one of the other (or better yet, ALL of the other) WMAs where we are being banned.  THIS IS IT!!!  WE DON'T GET ANY ADDITIONAL CHANCES!!!  When it's gone, it's gone forever.  This is a very important issue and I urge all members to act NOW!!  PLEASE take five minutes to write a well-thought out, RESPECTFUL response to the rule change proposals.  Just click on the green button and it will take you to the submission form.  Talk about the majority of us who use and respect the land, acknowledge there are issues that need to be resolved, offer your help to find solutions to those issues.  SHOW THAT YOU CARE!!  THIS IS OUR ONLY CHANCE!!!


http://myfwc.com/commission/RuleChanges/ProposedRules0708.asp

[AintSkeered]

Cool, now maybe there will be a lot of Outlander 800s for sale, now. I really need one.

[digginfool]

Mine won't be for sale.  I own 5 acres in Suburban Estates, thank you, and soon to own in RR as well.    All the same, I love riding in the Holeylands and really don't want to lose it.  For that matter, it is in all of our interests to fight every restriction being proposed regarding ATVs.  It's too easy to piggyback the rules of other areas and even easier to make blanket rules for all the WMAs.  If the majority of WMAs don't allow recreational use of ATVs, then what do you suppose will happen?  How many on here remember how much fun it was to ride in Corbitt?  It could happen to all of the WMAs if we don't take a stand.

[lswjth2]

Here's what i sent them in a seperate e-mail.

I want to take this opportunity to voice our opposition to the proposed rule change not only in this WMA, but ALL WMA where you are looking to close ATV/OHV and recreational activities. ATV/OHV use is a "cultural and Historic" part of Florida. Unfortunately, I, my children, and the rest of the future generations are becoming "Cultural refugees" in our backyard. Public lands are for the public to use, and while I will not deny that there have been and continue to be abuses, this is a very small minority when compared to the larger population that enjoy this kind of family activity. The state of Florida has the third highest sales of atv's  in the nation, however with the constant appointments of people like Dr. Reed Noss to the state ARC committee and recently the appointment of Estinoz by SFWMD our future looks even bleaker for our children.

In 2002 the state legislature passed the Mark T. Schmidt Recreation act where the state collects an additional $ 35.00 in registration fees to buy land for OHV recreation. In this same act it clearly states that lands purchased under the "Florida Forever act" may be used for OHV recreation as long as certain criteria is met (Florida owns over 5 MILLION ACRES OF PUBLIC LAND). Why does it take a "Study" to open up an area but not to close it? Where are these reports where you can justify such actions? I will tell you that the "everglades restoration" is a total farce and under this guise, SFWMD has illegally shut down the Picayune forest. CERP is under WRDA and in WRDA it clearly state that "historic and cultural" uses are to be protected.

Today we spend BILLIONS OF DOLLARS ON PROTECTING DIRT, dirt that eventually will be sold to developers or become STA areas because of BIG SUGAR  and the EAA runoff into the Glades. Our Glades are turning into a massive sewage treatment plant and you are telling me that my 8-inch wide tire track hurts the environment? At least be honest with yourselves.

I had a face-to-face conversation with one of your biologist over at Cecil Webb WMA when we had proposed during a cleanup ride at this WMA. I was told to my face that we were not wanted there. This is nothing more than outright discrimination. We, the ATV community, are the "NEW BLACKS" of the south. Where no one wants us anywhere and our only crime is to spend time with our children enjoying OUR PUBLIC LANDS. Could you imagine if you said this to a person of color in any other public venue what the repercussions would be? Why is it that in Cecil Webb, it's perfectly legal to ride a licensed car or an unlicensed swamp buggy but not an ATV? The law was written to specifically exclude us and our children from PUBLIC LAND.

You need to take a long hard look at this proposed rule change and instead of closing areas to the recreational families of this state, engage the different ATV clubs around and use us a force for good. We can have cleanup rides, raise money for charities, help with search and rescue and may I suggest before you automatically put us all in the same pot (profiling) engage those of us that are responsible and value what little we have left. Thank you

[ladyinpink]

FWC is only part of the problem, check this link out:

The greenies are at it again, intesting read

http://flsmartergrowth.org/home.php

[digginfool]

Hometown Democracy is insane.  If it appears on your local ballot, be sure to vote against it.  I've posted about this before.

[AintSkeered]

http://www.break.com/index/awesome-4x4-waverunner.html

[Bleedsblue]

Follow this link, find your favorite WMA on this list. 

Where is the link?

Bill

[digginfool]

Oooops!   

Here's the link:

http://myfwc.com/commission/RuleChanges/ProposedRules0708.asp