this is copied form a post from Bigscrub.
Looks like SW FL may get a riding area near the Naples line. [until someone decides they can make money developing the area as home sites]
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The Director of the Division of Forestry, Mr. Mike Long, has asked that I respond to your email. We appreciate you taking the time to express your concerns. I assure you that the Division of Forestry (DOF) is doing everything in its power to increase the number of legal riding opportunities for OHVs on public lands in a sustainable and responsible manner. Additionally, the Governor and Legislature are well aware that OHV operation has become increasingly popular as an outdoor recreational activity and is in fact, one of the fastest growing recreational activities in the country. They also realize that there are limited sites available on public lands here in the state of Florida. 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 concerns about the lack of legal riding areas in Florida. DOF is working diligently to provide further OHV opportunities in the state. Our agency has been working with federal, state, county, and other municipal entities to try and provide these opportunities. We feel the key in getting new public land opened for OHV riding is going to have to be a grassroots effort starting with local governments. In fact we have been fortunate in establishing a new OHV riding area in Franklin County which probably would not have occurred without the support of both the local people and governments.
To assist in promoting this program to local, as well as other governmental agencies in Florida, the DOF is cosponsoring a workshop through the National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council this May in Ocala. 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 stakeholder communities. We anticipate that this workshop will help to break down barriers and ultimately result in increased opportunities.
To assist in increasing the quality and quantity of OHV recreational areas and trails, the DOF is also administering the OHV Safety and Recreation Grant Program. This program, paid for by your titling fees, recently completed its first two rounds of grant awards. In all, over $1,000,000 has been allocated to OHV projects. These projects are intended to: improve existing trails, provide new facilities, provide education and outreach to OHV users, provide equipment and staffing, and further the opportunities for OHV recreation in the state. I am pleased to say that our staff has been in contact with many governmental entities throughout the state and several land managers are beginning to express interest in this funding opportunity. To better demonstrate the types of projects being funded, I have attached a summary of the 2005 grant awards. Contracts are in the process of being finalized and on-the-ground work should begin in the coming months.
In addition to recent developments in Lee and Miami-Dade Counties, initial discussions have taken place with Polk County Leisure Services staff. Unfortunately these are progressing slowly, but I feel this will lead to up to three additional OHV recreational opportunities in the state. The DOF is also working with stakeholders and other agencies to possibly open a system of managed trails on Picayune Strand State Forest in Collier County.
I realize that things are not happening as fast as you and many other enthusiasts feel to be reasonable, but it is important that things are happening. In order to keep the public informed of changes in the OHV program and possible new recreation areas, we have a link on the Division of Forestry webpage,
www.fl-dof.com.
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OHV Safety and Recreation Grant Awards – 2005
The following is a brief summary of each of the proposals recommended for funding by the OHV Advisory Committee at its November quarterly meeting in Stuart.
Lee County BOCC, Department of Parks and Recreation
o Request of funds ($75,000) to plan and design a new OHV recreation area in SW Florida. Proposed site is located in Hendry County near the borders of Lee and Collier counties. This site is adjacent to the Lee-Hendry landfill owned and operated by Lee County. The county owns ~ 2,000 acres at this site with 640 acres permitted as landfill. Remaining adjacent lands are primarily agriculture and mining operations. Staff time required to manage the contractor will be used as match.
Withlacoochee Forestry Center (WFC), Florida Division of Forestry
o Request of funds ($71,000) to determine a location for a new modern campground followed by a conceptual design. Additional products will include boundary and topographical surveys, geo-technical survey, and presentation of plans through public meetings and brochures. Staff time required to manage the contractor and time associated with presenting plans to OHV public will be used as match.
Apalachicola National Forest, USFS
o Request of funds ($38,000) to purchase equipment to be used for OHV trail marking, signing, reconstruction, and maintenance. The desired equipment includes one utility vehicle and one 4-wd farm tractor and associated implements. Match will consist of staff time associated with trail marking, signing, reconstruction, and maintenance of OHV trails.
Ocala National Forest, USFS
o Request of funds ($168,100) to provide toilet facilities at up to eight OHV trailheads on the forest. These facilities are to be pre-cast concrete vault toilets. The Forest Service proposes to purchase these products through an existing CSA contract and have these in place at their new OHV trailheads. Forest staff and volunteers will maintain these facilities as match.
Miami-Dade County – Parks and Recreation Department
o Request of funds ($75,000) to hire a consultant to perform a study to assist in identifying areas throughout the county suitable for possible OHV recreation. Approximately 24% of all title sales since the inception of the OHV Titling Act have been in south Florida with essentially no legal riding opportunities on public lands. The project will be considered a success if at least one site is located, costs to acquire and develop the area are estimated, and potential funding sources are identified. Staff will manage the contractor as match.
Osceola National Forest – Maintenance and Monitoring
o Request of funds ($42,000) for the purchase of one utility vehicle and maintenance contract for the hardening of OHV trail surfaces and low-water crossings. Staff will monitor trail use, perform light maintenance, and enforce trail regulations as match.
Osceola National Forest – Public Information
o Request of funds ($5,000) to cover the costs of printing public information brochures covering OHV regulations and trail map of designated OHV trails. Match will consist of staff time needed to develop brochures, writing press releases, and distribution of information to local clubs and forest users.
Tate’s Hell State Forest (THSF) – Florida Division of Forestry
o Request of funds ($92,969) for the purchase of fencing, signs and posts, barbeque grills, picnic pavilions, and vault toilet. Match will consist of staff time performing maintenance of facilities, placing signs, building fence, and performing monitoring and outreach of OHV use.
Friends Florida State Forests – non-profit support organization of DOF
o Request of funds ($82,400) for the purchase of a SWECO 480 trail maintenance machine and associated implements. This machine once received will be donated to Withlacoochee State Forest’s Croom Motorcycle Area. Match will consist of staff time associated with trail maintenance activities on the Croom Motorcycle Area.
I still think the N. FT. Myers area past the civic center has potential. It floods terribly every single year. It isn't any good for development.
Teej
