ATV Florida Forum

Has anyone heard about a meeting somewhere in the big scrub area regarding the new trail system?

Florida 4 wheel drive forum has it that Rodman Pit is going to close. I think it is time that our feelings get heard regarding the forest. We seem to get more and more areas closed for no reason.

The other party (environmentalists) who appealed the FEIS had their appeal upheld, which was to close the Rodman Sand Pit.  USFS cited that leaving it open is not consistent with the Forest Plan...assuming the plan is to close as much as possible down, they have a point.  FL4WDA's appeal was denied (all four counts).

FL4WDA is currently discussing our continued interest in the appeal of the FEIS.

It is time our voices get heard. This is only the beginning, before you know it the whole forest will be closed.  Rodman is only part of it, rumor has it big scrub is going to close except 5 miles of the power lines.

It is Rodman and big scrub now, this seems to be the way of the forest, next thing you know the forest will close, because there is no one to manage the trial system.

I say it is time our voices get heard, it is time to contact the star banner, and putting our opinions in the paper. Swamp the forest personnel with emails.

I also think a great time for a protest is when the trail system opens, protest at all the trail heads, don't let anyone on the trails.

After next weeks meeting in Ocala, which I am attending, I will try to answer your questions.  Bret Bush is on vacation this week and I can not get answers.

We already know what the answer is to rodman - it is going to close real quick. We lose another day use area to the USFS.

Another casualty, taking away public land from the public, sad.

What I would like to know is where are all the motorsports dealers in this?  I don’t see any of them standing up and helping fight to find riding places. 

After all, if no one had anywhere to ride, the dealers are all going to lose out big once nobody is buying machines any more.  The state is also going to lose out on all the tax revenue and title fees.  It seems that money is the only thing that talks these days.  :'(

When is the meeting?

When and where is the meeting for ONF? I drive by a few local dealerships every day and will let them know about the meeting. No one ever hears about any of these meetings, dealers may not even know they are happening... even though they should. Why dont we all pass a flyer to the owners of our local dealerships? At least that way we know that they know! And they have a lot more money at stake then we do.

There is a meeting Monday sanctioned by the OHV Commission for Florida. They usually have it in Tallahassee, but it will be in Ocala on Monday May 1, 2006 at the Ocala Hilton at 6:00 pm. You may want to call the Ocala Hilton to confirm that. The public is welcome to attend. They will talk about what they are trying to do to get us riding land in the state of Florida, supposefully. and I believe you can voice your opinions. I am hoping to attend but I don't know if I will make it.

Where are the dealers, were are the OHV Commission for Florida, why aren't they helping us, our fuel taxes pay their salaries. Why didn't they help us in the Everglades, I wish I knew the answers. The final judges on the Florida 4 wheel drive appeal were both USFS respresentatives, I think is kind of strange. Who do you think they will vote for.

I just hope my editorial gets published in the opinion section of the Star Banner.

I believe Chris Reed OHV Coordinator for the USFS and Jack Terrell nohvcc will be present at Monday's meeting in Ocala, among others.

Bogus >:(

Here is the agenda for Monday Nite and where the meeting will take place.

The Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Advisory Committee would like to announce its upcoming quarterly meeting.  This meeting will be held on May 1st in Ocala in conjunction with the OHV Recreation Management Workshop at the Ocala Hilton.  The Ocala Hilton is located at 3600 Southwest 36th Avenue, just southeast of the interchange of I-75 and SR-200, exit number 350.  This meeting is scheduled to begin at 6:00 pm and will conclude by 9:00 pm or upon completion of business.  This and all OHV Advisory Committee meetings are open to the public and public participation is encouraged.
 
The OHV Advisory Committee is created within the Division of Forestry and consists of nine members, all of whom are appointed by the Commissioner of Agriculture.  The appointees include one representative from of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, one representative of the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, one representative of the Department of Environmental Protection’s Office of Greenways & Trails, one representative of the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, one citizen with scientific expertise in disciplines relating to ecology, biology, or other environmental sciences, one representative of a licensed off-highway vehicle dealer, and three representatives of off-highway vehicle recreation groups.  The duties and responsibilities of the advisory committee are as follows:

1)   establish policies to guide the Department of Agriculture (department) regarding the OHV Recreation Program and the system of OHV recreation areas and trails;
2)   make recommendations to the department regarding OHV safety, training, and education programs in the operation of such vehicles;
3)   must be informed regarding all governmental activities affecting the program;
4)   must be informed regarding OHV impacts and effects on the environment, wildlife habitats, and native flora and fauna and shall make recommendations to avoid or minimize adverse environmental impacts and promote sustained long-term use;
5)   must be fully informed regarding the inventory of OHV access and opportunities
6)   meet at various times and locations throughout the state to receive public comments on the implementation of the program and shall take these public comments into consideration when making its recommendations;
7)   review and make recommendations annually regarding proposed budget and expenditures from the designated OHV funds in the trust fund;
8)   make recommendations regarding all capital outlay expenditures from the trust fund proposed for inclusion in the budget and shall identify additional funding sources for management, enforcement, education, rehabilitation, and other duties of the land management agencies related to the system; and
9)   review grant applications submitted by any governmental agency or entity or nongovernmental entity requesting moneys from the trust fund to create, operate, manage, or improve OHV recreation areas or trails within the state, protect and restore affected natural areas in the system, or provide OHV rider education.  The advisory committee shall recommend to the department approval or denial of such grant applications based upon criteria established by the advisory committee. 

Just a thought, but do they purposely make it so that not many people know about these types of meetings? More people would show up to support the cause if they knew it was going on.  ???

Here is more info for the meeting. This info was emailed to me this morning by Marsha Rickman at the Florida Department of Enviromental Protection.

OHV Advisory Committee Meeting
May 1, 2006 – Ocala
Ocala Hilton – 6pm to 9pm


   Welcome and Introductions         Jack Terrell

   Approval of the Minutes         Jack Terrell

   OHV Titling Update            Stan Kirkland



WORKING GROUP UPDATES

   Legislative Issues            Winn Peeples

   Grant Program               Chris Reed/John Waldron
      status and next RFP 

   Education and Outreach         Jack Terrell

   Site ID/Resources            Vernon Compton /
                      Chris Reed
      
   Term Expiration – New Members       John Waldron

   OHV Recreation Management Workshop    Jack Terrell/Chris Reed   

   New Business               Jack Terrell

   Public Input               Jack Terrell

   Establish Next Meeting         Jack Terrell   

I'm going to get word back from Marsha on her real intentions for Rodman Sand Pit, seems there are conflicting reports on whether it will be closed or just limited.  The Orlando Sentinel is going to run a story on the Appeal, I have been providing them with information.  If you are (or know someone) who can officially represent your group, toss me their contact info. jason@flwda.com Perhaps whomever runs this site.

I think they do that on purpose.