ATV Florida Forum

As you all know, we have some serious issues with OHV areas getting shut down in S. Florida. As our sport grows we must fight the battle and demand something to be done. If not, at this rate, we will be forced to sell our QUADS and find another hobby. A group of us are trying to get a feel for what we need to do in order to better our overall riding situation in S. Florida. I have contacted several other groups in other states that have done the things we all talk about and dream of. The feedback has been to basically "GET ORGANIZED AND DONT STOP UNTIL WE GET WHAT WE WANT"!!!! WE pay the guys that make these decisions; in essence WE should be the ones making the decisions since they directly affect us and our sport. Getting organized is the first step in order to determine exactly what needs to be done. I have a lot of ideas and from I have seen we have enough people interested. So, I propose we get a committee together and begin to research what steps need to be taken. I think once we have a goal and a road map we have many members on here and other sites that IMO just need a date and a place to meet in order to show our strength in numbers. Ideally, it would be best to get some people from...let’s say:

Miami
Ft Lauderdale
Naples
Ft. Myers
West Palm

This way we can gather the groups from different areas and be a stronger force.

WHO IS INTERESTED IN MEETING AND BECOMING A PART OF THE COMMITTEE AND FRONT RUNNERS????

EWORM

SkyHighT100?
themensh?
AintSkeered?
dirty2?
OviedoRaptor?
hh-sportsman?
team_quad_green?
Ida_Mann?
Honda328i?

Should I put you down???? LET ME KNOW GUYS!!!

Something must be done, I would help if I can.

Also, contact Florida Trail Riders for input.

I'm from Naples.  Maybe we can ride sometime and discuss it.

I thought more would respond by now. I am amazed! If we dont want it bad enough we will never have it.
Come on people, who else?????

Chillin, where are you located?

Yep, I did. Sent email and no response

The idea would be the entire state. I will drive but Ocala can get old after 100 times. We new areas and representation everywhere

Worm, I'm in  ;)

On list

I will help whenever I can, I have a pretty busy job and family, but I can make time if meetings are planned in advance.  Glad to see someone starting this.  ;D

I to have the same responsibilities but if we dedicate some time i think we do something here. What area are you in Honda328i?

I'm in Manattee county. West central.

Ok, the list is building. I am in the process of setting a date for a meeting with the appropriate parties. It may a little bit of time but we need to be prepared. I am sending emails, letters and making calls.

Things like this piss me off and need to change:
Why isn't OHV on this list?:

http://myfwc.com/recreation/Activity.html


We need to find things like this to better present our case while meeting (preparation is going to be huge here).

Other examples to keep in mind

-Recent ATV Sales (skyrocketing)
-Where is the tax money going (who is in charge of disbursment of funds? Does this person own an OHV?)
-Why does government continue to take land away and increase the chances of kids having accidents on streets because of no areas to ride
-?
-?

OPEN to ideas guys! We need to do this together if not we are sh*t out of luck!
 

I'll help when I can.

For those of you interested, an OHV Committee is in the begining stages. We need more members of different riding groups to join up so we can put some pressure on the decision makers. Persistance and badgering officials seem to get results, the squeakiest wheel recieves the most attention.
The system being set up in Ocala is proof to me that OHV groups had little say in how the recreation area would be set up. The forestry department did not do very good homework here. An interconnecting trail sys. is okay(I guess), but 60" wide two way trails, that sounds more like a means to an end. What I mean is the first head on collision the USFS gets sued the trails get shut down, because it's cheaper to shut them down than to keep goin to court.

JW: Do you know who is leading this effort in Ocala? if so, please Pm me the information.

I knew I would get a good response. Anyone with any additional info that can be in any way helpful, please feel free to post up here. I can use all the help I can get. MAKE YOUR CALLS GUYS, SEND YOUR EMAILS!!!

  I live near Daytona. I ain't no public speaker......I can write letters good though.    (LOL)
   I just bought an ATV and already getting frustrated there are no readily available areas to ride.

  What can I do to help?

                                     Chuck

i'm in there e-worm!!!let me know when and where

What exactly do we do? I am in Cape Coral (Ft.Myers) and might be able to make it to Fort Myers, it would just depend on what you need me to do and the time that it would be done.

OK.....In spite of the lack of planning/organization and leadership......
here is what I have done recently.

I have written a letter to Mr. Bill Gardner, head of Land Acquisition Management , Volusia County, Fl.
  I asked him to research the viability of acquiring land, in the amount of approximately 80 acres in Volusia County Florida, using the ECHO (ecological-cultural-heritage-outdoors) grants available.
  I suggested the area could contain walking trails, atv trails and hopefully if the land could be located near a river  (Tomoka River for an example....)Canoeing).  Run by Volusia County as the beach in Daytona is, daily or yearly passes could be sold to offset operating expenses.
  By purchasing the land and allowing use by hikers/atv'ers/canoers.....the area could still maintain the beauty of Florida but allow people access to it.
  I said that atv's are a growing hobby in Florida, as it is around the country and by having a first rate trail system would invite people from all over to come and enjoy Volusia County.

   Does that sound about right?
   Anyhow......lets get some things started.
Lets throw out some ideas.....here.   (I just put a 2" lift on my quad. I NEED PLACES TO RIDE!!!   LOL)

      Chuck  (themensh)

The letter looks great and will take us a long way. We need to nag and nag and continue nagging!!! Send letters and call them:

Once we have their attention we want a scheduled meeting to dicuss available areas already in existance and new areas to make OHV and Camping areas/parks.

So start researching your general areas so that when we have a date we can go through each and every viable option.

IE:

NAPLES: Picayune State Forest

MIAMI: HUMPS and Surrounding areas (not that big, but an organized trail system may work there)

FT MYERS: Yucapan

ORLANDO: River Ranch and surrounding areas

The Yucapan is in Cape Coral.

Sorry about that.

Looks like we lost our sticky...dang  :-\

Florida OHV Recreation Management Workshop
May 1- 4, 2006
Hilton-Ocala
Ocala, Florida

http://www.fl-dof.com/calendar/2006_ohv_may_wkshop.html

>>The purpose of the Workshop is to conduct an educational forum on off-highway vehicle recreation management for Florida local, county, state and federal land management decision makers, recreation planners, resource specialists, and leadership representatives from OHV recreation and other stakeholder communities<<

  Who are these people?  (Florida local, county, state and federal land management decision makers, recreation planners, resource specialists, and leadership representatives)

>>Registration is required and limited to 100. Registration packets will be available in February, 2006.<<

 A hundred?  That's it?    I don't know about you all......
but :
 Chris Reed
352-489-5267or
reedj1@doacs.state.fl.us
and:
Jack Terrell
863-984-9294
jackterrell@tampabay.rr.com
 will get an e-mail.......I don't know who they are, but they should know that we (ATV'ers) would like more land purchased and a trail system put in place to safely ride.  Please take the time to let these two individuals know that we are a large group.  Please include in your e-mail the county in Florida you live in and mention this group here (floridaATVs.com)  It will take a minute to draft a letter.

           Chuck

I believe Chris Reed and Jack Terrell were at the workshop held in Dania Florida several months ago. Please don't assume that these two gentleman are opposed to OHVs. Based upon their active participation in all state discussions on OHVs and comments they've made at these workshops, I believe they want to see more areas opened-up to OHVs, so as to minimize the overall impact on the (legal and illegal)areas currently being used.

Thanks for your input AS. I assume the response has been slow BC of the WILMA. But we need to keep hammering them!!!!

Jack Terrell is a key figure in the fight FOR OHV riding land. He helped to get Hells Tate opened to ohv activity. He will be at the committee meeting on the 15 of Nov. in Stuart. Still trying to find out directions.

Please let me know what time and where?

Please post the 15 Nov 05 meeting address.

  My letter:

 "I applaud the idea of an off highway vehicle workshop and only
hope that it positively affects the all terrain vehicle (ATV) owners.
  I live in Volusia County and enjoy trail riding with my 2000
Yamaha "Grizzly".
  I at times, ride near my home in Ormond Beach, and often drive  over
50 miles to ride in Ocala National forest.  My hobby (ATV'ing) has gained popularity and I expect it to continue to grow.  I would hope that powers to be will obtain land that could be used for recreational use....which would include ATV useage.
  Please take into consideration me and people like myself.
  Please keep some area open for ATV'ers.
  Thanks in advance."

Reply from Mr. Terrell:

"The workshop will address off-highway motorcycle, ATV and 4WD motorized recreation issues.
I share your enthusiasm for the sport and will do all I can to push for legal areas for all of us to ride. "

Reply from Mr. Reed:

"Thank you for your support of the National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council Recreation Workshop that the Division of Forestry is co-sponsoring with the Department of Environmental Protection's - Office of Greenways & Trails, USDA Forest Service, and Lee County Parks and Recreation.  One of our main goals in hosting this workshop is to help educate public land managers and decision makers on the needs and desires of our recreation public.  As you are aware, interest in ATV and off-highway motorcycle recreation has grown substantially in Florida.  However, legal riding opportunities have not kept pace with the demand.  We sincerely hope that this educational opportunity will help break down some of the barriers, ultimately leading to increased future OHV opportunities.
 
Thank you,
 
Chris Reed, OHV Coordinator
FDACS - Division of Florida"

  From me to you all.......e-mail these guys! Egg them on! We need to
let them know we are here...
   Takes a minute or two.........and can do us some good in return.

                    Chuck

  I hope ya'll got directions. I can't remember if I sent them to jw or not. I know I posted them somewhere.

  I have a link here for those interested in more information about the Organized group.

 http://www.nohvcc.org/ (http://www.nohvcc.org/)

Exactly my point!
these guys know me!!!
They should know everyone on this site!!!

Thanks CHUCK!!!

Please repost directions Lisa.

Thanks!

Eworm,

  I guess I found out why there weren't many of you at the meeting!  :'( I know I posted those directions up somewhere. I will see if I put them in the OHV Stuart meeting thread. This thread was about the OHV meeting in May, which is why I didn't post it here in the first place.

  I was at the Stuart meeting. Jack Terrell, Brian McMahon, Winn Peeples, and Chris Reed are fighting for the rights of ATV riders. They are looking for property to purhcase and open to ya'll. Indian Joe can help with the details of that discussion (I believe buying old mining pits was discussed.)

  Jack Terell and Brian McMahon are opposed to the Babcock Ranch Deal as well; because of the restrictions the property owner has placed against OHVs. Jack will be out-of-state on the 22nd. I have talked with jw a little yesterday, since it seems no one can "officially" tell me I represent them, I will go ahead and speak for you all at the cabinet meeting. There is another sub-cabinet meeting today, but alas I couldn't get to Tallahassee for it, so Tuesday is it!

  Okay, getting off-topic. The meeting in May is going to be a workshop. I was pointman on it for the Fl4WDA. Since I resigned, I won't be representing them at this meeting. However, if one ATV club wants me to attend on their behalf I would be glad to go. I will be contacting 4x4 clubs too, so even if a club doesn't think it is worth it, I might still be able to represent those of you who wish me to represent you.

  Registration will open up in February. Will keep ya'll informed, I am on the email list for information. Jw, are you on Jack's or Chris' email list for information on this meeting?

Are you an attorney Lisa? I think I can make that workshop but if I can't what should we do in order to make sure our concerns are expressed?

Please go to the below post under open discussion about the meeting and information.

http://www.atvflorida.com/forum/index.php/topic,8607.msg119563/topicseen.html?PHPSESSID=8ff661e31f6478c5ac86a7dc9ac802ae#msg119563

  No, I am not an attorney. I am just a citizen who is fed up with the public paying for parks and forest areas and not being able to use them. I am trying to bring all kinds of public recreation users together to:

 1) give us all a stronger voice
 
 2) help each of us understand the issues of the other
 
 and

 3) get folks involved in the decision and planning issues that affect us all.

  There are probably more reasons, but those will do for now.