Here are some responses I have received in the last two days:
#1
Eric I have forwarded you request on to our OHV Coordinators position for the most current information. I agree that there needs to be more riding areas not just in South Florida but across the State. The problem is that there is very little positive support for this activity on either private or public lands. There are issues like liability, environmental damage, wildlife disturbance, adjacent landowners and other users who don’t like the noise, etc. I have heard all the reasons why it shouldn’t be done. As you seem to know we are working to open and help open new areas but it is a long hard uphill battle to overcome the issues raised by those opposed. I’m sure you will hear from the staff with an update as to what is going on at this time. Mike
#2
Mr. Palma,
Mr. Mike Long, Director of the Division of Forestry, has asked me to respond to your letter. I appreciate you taking the time to express your concerns. I assure you that the Division of Forestry (DOF) is doing everything in its power to increase the number of legal riding opportunities for OHVs on public lands in a sustainable and responsible manner. Additionally, the Commissioner of Agriculture, Governor, and Legislature are well aware that OHV operation has become increasingly popular as an outdoor recreational activity and is in fact, one of the fastest growing recreational activities in the country. They also realize that there are limited sites available on public lands here in the state of Florida. This need was the basis for the T. Mark Schmidt OHV Safety and Recreation Act being passed in 2002 (Chapter 261, Florida Statutes).
We understand your frustration and the DOF is working diligently to provide further OHV opportunities in the state. Our agency has been working with federal, state, county, and other municipal entities to try and provide these opportunities. The DOF is also working internally to designate OHV areas on State Forest lands where appropriate. In fact, the division recently opened the first new OHV area on public lands since the inception of the OHV Safety and Recreation Act. This new OHV trail system contains approximately 150 miles of designated trails on Tate’s Hell State Forest in Franklin County.
To assist in promoting this program to other governmental agencies, the DOF is cosponsoring a workshop through the National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council next spring. The goal of this workshop is to conduct an educational forum on off-highway vehicle recreation management for local, county, state and federal land management decision makers, recreation planners, resource specialists, and leadership representatives from OHV recreation and other stakeholder communities. We anticipate that this workshop will help to break down barriers and ultimately result in increased opportunities.
To assist in increasing the quality and quantity of OHV recreational areas and trails, the DOF is administering the OHV Safety and Recreation Grant Program. This program, paid for by your titling fees, recently completed its first round of grant awards. In all, approximately $500,000 has been allocated to nine projects. These projects are intended to: improve existing trails, provide new facilities, provide education and outreach to OHV users, provide equipment and staffing, and further the opportunities for OHV recreation in the state. The next request for proposals is scheduled to occur in October and there will be approximately $725,000 available for new projects. I am pleased to say that our staff has been in contact with many governmental entities throughout the state and several south-Florida land managers are beginning to express interest in this funding opportunity.
I realize that things are not happening as fast as you and many other enthusiasts feel to be reasonable, but it is important that things are happening. In order to keep the public informed of changes in the OHV program and possible new recreation areas, we have a link on the Division of Forestry webpage,
www.fl-dof.com <http://www.fl-dof.com/> .
