Just park somewhere off the beaten path. North Port is huge and there is no way they can patrol the whole area. I ride there every weekend and just make sure I stay away from the groups of people and the idiots riding up and down the streets. I live a few miles away from Yorksire and take back roads out to the trails.

I sent an email to gov. Bush and thought I would share the response I recieved back.

Dear Mr. Riley:

 

Commissioner of Agriculture Charles H. Bronson asked that I respond to your e-mail inquiry, and appreciate you taking the time to express your concerns.  You can be assured that the Division of Forestry (DOF) is doing everything in its power to increase the number of legal riding opportunities for Off-Highway Vehicles (OHVs) on state 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 that there are limited sites available on public lands.  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.  The DOF recently opened approximately 150 miles of trails for OHV recreation on Tate’s Hell State Forest in Franklin County.  In addition, we are working with stakeholders and other agencies to possibly open a managed system of OHV trails on Picayune Strand State Forest in Collier 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 this 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 stakeholders.  We anticipate that this workshop will reduce barriers, address misconceptions, and hope that it will ultimately result in increased opportunities for regional OHV areas. 

 

            We realize that OHV areas may not be happening as fast as you and many other enthusiasts feel to be reasonable, but it is important that activities and opportunities are occurring.    In order to keep the public informed of changes in the OHV program and possible new recreation areas, we now have a link on the Division of Forestry webpage at www.fl-dof.com.

 

Thank for your input and comments, and should you have any questions, please let us know. 

 

Sincerely,

 

Steve Bohl

850/414-9914