OHV Comm. Meeting

[indianjoe]

Ref: The OHV Comm. Meeting, the folks on this comm. are for getting riding areas opened in the state, they also review the grants for the Mark T Schmidt Bill. These were also approved at the meeting. There were several of them. One of the most significant is the one Lee Co. was awarded to move forward with getting a riding area open, another was to build facilities at the new 8 trail heads in the Ocala Forest.  On the mining land issue they are in initial  talks with Mosaic, (I think that is how it's spelled, formally Cargill) they are looking at what could be done with utilizing former mine areas and converting them into OHV areas. This is a very exciting possibility when you think about the huge amount of land owned by mining companies. They are going to move forward with this but it is complicated as they have to get several state offices involved but with luck as Jack Terrell put it, "This could be the future of OHV Recreation in Florida". the committe is very aware there is hardly anywhere south of the I-4 corridor to legally ride, yet 70%+ of the new ATV's being titled are sold in that area. those of you who live in the south Florida area know how hard it is to find land, and especially a large piece suitable for something like this.

I discussed with them the large amount of citrus growers having to plow up their groves due to canker and green leaf. I told them I have spoken with some private land owners in Saint Lucie Co. and the first problem brought up is the cost of insurance and liability. I suggested research into legislation to mirror what has been done for the equestrian events in the state to limit tort liability for private land owners wanting to open an OHV area. We would have an easier time finding private land owners to open them if this was done.

The May workshop as it says is geared for Land Managers and county government planners, they are are hoping to encourage the opening of new areas with this training, that is why you see Lee Co. as a co-sponsor.

Reps. from the national forest service were at the meeting and discussed the national forest. As has been on other post here the ruling to go to designated trails in the national forest is a ruling for the entire country. This decision was made way up the food chain. I know it is has drastically cut down what is available, but we have to live with it. I know some people are going to be unhappy but as most of you know it only takes a few to ruin something for the many.  Denise Rains, the Public Information Officer, and Jim, (left his last name at home) he is the new Trail Manager in Florida, he was brought in from Idaho and has a vast amount of experience with the OHV Programs there, he brought alot to the table and I feel he would benefit the state with his experiences in Idaho. I invited both of them to log on to  this site and discuss things with folks on the site, so I hope they will and share what it is happening and how we can assist.

They also discussed impending legislation, they have worked to propose a bill that mirrors what the manufactuers have stated for years. That is what all the stickers say on your ATV"S as far as riders equipment etc. It states helmets and eye protection are required, and mirrors the age limits as set forth by the manufacturers. The key is this applies to riding on public lands, riding in areas that are open to the public.    It provides a civil infraction for a violation. One section has wording about driving an atv in a reckless or careless manner and causing inury or property damage to another. This was still listed as a civil infraction, I will proably catch heck for this but I stated my displeasure with this, and told them when you talk about injuring someone do to reckless behavior it should fall under the criminal law. Now before everyone gets upset over the proposed bill understand there are other bills out there that are being proposed that are much stricter than this. Some of you may be aware some of them are banning the sale of ATV's to anyone under 16 yoa.

We as ATV enthusiast need to support the comm. and their efforts. We should all send e-mails to our legislatures and let them know how many of us there are and that we need places to ride. The comm. has  excellent people on board who are trying their best to locate new places to open and work for the better of OHV recreation but understand they report to bosses in Tallahassee.

When I get a chance I will try and scan the proposed bill and other information.   

[Ida_Mann]

glad your'e out there, how can I find out if a meeting is near me?

Id@

[lisa]

 Excellent Indian Joe, I logged on to do just that, summary and update. I have been exhausted and slept most of yesterday. 

 The next meeting is in Tallahassee. I believe it is the first week in March, did they settle that date IJ?

[tekhanto]

thanks for the information   let us know who we can e-mail to let our voices be heard


thanks for all your trouble and time

[mikeE36]

so are they suggesting any new places in the tampa area?

[indianjoe]

They are looking for land anywhere, but again the best situation right now is if something can be worked out with the mining companies. Finding land is one thing and then there is the price

The next meeting is in Tallahassee, Feb. 28th, don't know the location yet, probably won't come out until middle of January.

Also hopefully Denise and Jim will get logged on over the weekend or next week, they all are still in Stuart at the Public Land Acquisition Conference.

[renmus]

Good information.  Bump back to top.

[MAV400]

Indian Joe or Lisa, Did you guys know is there have been any talks about noise restriction. There is a thread where somebody mention 90dcb will be enforced. 96dcb is like the  standard on other States. I also want to Thank both of you for all the info and hard work for the sport.

[indianjoe]

There was some discussion all I heard was 96db, I didn't hear anything about 90db, but that isn't to say it couldn't happen.

[cobra96461]

how about all that swift mud property?
why not charge us 100 bucks a year  and give us access to all atv facilities in florida , kinda like the hunters get when the buy a 50 dollar managment stamp.
I have emailed the governer and the state forestryt with my concerns also. I agree we all need to write letters to be heard.

[lisa]

  We all need to work together. Emails and phone calls are the way to go. It seems I won't be going to Tallahassee. I can't go on my own money (which I don't have anyway).

  Those who are willing to send emails and make phone calls need to coordinate with someone. The airboaters banned together and pretty much squelched their "sound" issue. (One of the best things to do is not use the negative word "noise", but positive word "sound".)

  This is just another way of limiting your use. The airboaters were able to stand against a potentially crippling legislation, and so can you. Let us coordinate our efforts and make the most of them, instead of thowing our efforts to the wind. We can prevail.

[themensh]

Lisa,
  How about cosolidating a list of people to e-mail/mail/call?
   I know Charles H. Bronson (commisioner of agriculture) should be on the list........
(his web page is down right now...I don't have the address right off hand)

           Chuck

[adrian]

 Bump so it is still up top

[Ida_Mann]

Bump so it is still up top

dude, there are only 8 threads in this board,,,it's gonna stay on the first page for a while yet.

Id@

[race495]

Another thought on this matter is if we can get someone to sponsor an amendment to F.S.S. 316.0085 (http://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=Ch0316/SEC0085.HTM&Title=->2005->Ch0316->Section%200085#0316.0085)

This statute basically encourages local governments to make available areas to skateboard/shoot paintball and freestyle bmx.

Now, it came about in 1999 but did not include paintball. Somehow the paintballers got together and had it added in 2004. This may be a way for us to get something done also. It helps that it falls under the State uniform traffic Control chapter. Just a thought.

Steve

[Ida_Mann]

Another thought on this matter is if we can get someone to sponsor an amendment to F.S.S. 316.0085 (http://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=Ch0316/SEC0085.HTM&Title=->2005->Ch0316->Section%200085#0316.0085)

This statute basically encourages local governments to make available areas to skateboard/shoot paintball and freestyle bmx.

Now, it came about in 1999 but did not include paintball. Somehow the paintballers got together and had it added in 2004. This may be a way for us to get something done also. It helps that it falls under the State uniform traffic Control chapter. Just a thought.

Steve

I love that,,,,,that is absolutely awesome and thank you for finding it.

I was wondering how the City of Orlando built and operates a skate park just around the corner.

Id@