I sent the sample letter to several people. Here is my latest response that I got for someone in Jeb Bush's office.
Dear Ms. Slate:
Commissioner Charles H. Bronson has requested that I respond to you
concerns regarding the US Forest Service action on the Ocala National
Forest. We have just received information from the US Forest Service
regarding a partial closure of approximately 8,200 acres on the Ocala
National Forest. They have sited that they must proceed with this on
portions of the most heavily impacted area in the southwest portion of
the forest. This area is near the community of Linadale will be
restricted to designated roads.
The US Forest Service has determined this partial closure is necessary
to prevent ongoing damage from off highway vehicles riding off roads.
According the U.S Forest Service that monitoring of the resource has
indicated that unacceptable impacts are occurring.
When the Florida legislature created the T. Mark Schmidt Off-Highway
Vehicle Safety and Recreation Act, they clearly intended that since
off-highway vehicles are becoming increasingly popular in this state,
that the use of these vehicles should be controlled and managed to
minimize negative effects on the environment, wildlife habitats, native
wildlife, and native flora and fauna.
To minimize the impacts, the US Forest Service also outlined that this
will be an ongoing access designation process that will eventually limit
off-highway vehicle use to a system of roads and trails throughout the
Ocala Nation Forest.
Your are correct that funds from titling off-highway vehicles (OHV) have
been collected and most are being used for a grant program to assist
public agencies with enhancing existing OHV areas, provide for safety
courses, protection of resources, or acquisition of new areas. By July
1st a new trail system will be open on Tates Hell State Forest in
Franklin and Liberty Counties, and will consist of 154 miles of trails.
Other county owned lands and state owned lands are being evaluated for
OHV in other areas of the state.
I regret that this could affect the legitimate riders who respect the
land and enjoy outdoor recreational activities. Should there any
questions about this action on the Ocala National Forest, the US Forest
Service contacts are:
Ms. Denise Rains Rick Lint, District
Ranger
Public Affairs Officer Seminole Ranger District
National Forests in Florida 40929 State Road 19
Phone: (850) 523-8568 Umatilla, FL 32784
drains@fs.fed.us Phone: (352) 669-3153
If you have any questions or require additional information, please let
me know.
Sincerely,
Steve Bohl
850/414-9914
Does anyone know where this Tates Hell State Park is?
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