Create a Fla Specific Pro-OHV/ATV Organization?

[cheropride]

I see so many people on this web-site with loads of information pertaining to our rights that are being taken away.  Apparently this may be in the works, but there is a strong need to create a "non-for-profit" pro-OHV/ATV Organization, that supports and defends our rights.  It takes time, MONEY and organization to get things done and to get our voices heard. 

Many years ago when I had horses here in Broward County, due to developement we too were losing so many places just ride a horse (oh big enviromental hazzard there - not).  At that time an organization was created to protect our rights, get more ridding areas and we had a lot of success and fun at the same time.  Although I don't even think that organization is still around, but the changes they made still are.

You know these people that want us OUT - they all have their agendas and are organized in their attemps.  We must fight fire with fire!  We must do the same. 

An annual memberships, that would then be applied to the legal fee's and research needed to protect our rights.  A web-site, specifically for that purpose, possibly linked to this site and others to connect to more people with the same interest, whether it be atver's to trucks, all unite for the same cause.  With the day and age of the internet, so many people can be contacted.  I would also recommend that this would not be of national interest, we have enough issues, just dealing with Florida's right now.

Think about it, we all want to protect our rights and pass down to our kids the things that we love the most.  It is time to take an united stand for what we want.  I have only been on the web-site for about 4 months straight, and I see alot of people with a lot of knowledge and spend a lot of time fighting for our rights! 

Yes, there might be such an organization already out there, but I don't know of it and many probably don't either.  So if you already know of one, that is strickly Florida based, share the information.  If not, then lets all put our minds together and see what we can come up with.  Yes, this would be a huge undertaking, but just a few of you right now are taking on that each and everyday trying to defend what we have.  Perhaps some of these efforts could be placed into this type of organization.

Like I said in the beginning this may already be in the works, then if so - GIT-R-DONE!!! If one does come available and/or one is created, WE MUST ALL SUPPORT IT'S EFFORTS!!!

Well, I will get off my soap box.... 

[SomBch]

I agree with most every thing that you have mentioned.Yet the one thing that an organization DOESNT HAVE that is supported by membership dues is  the really big money thats needed to really put the fight to these people . Thats why they(mainly developers) are so successful at getting what they want . They have many investors, contractors, planners, and lets not forget counties and municipalities that are waiting to get there cut of the project.All local politician and policy makers care about is sharing the wealth . This can only change if big money people get involved to push this agenda and not the agenda of the developers.

[cheropride]

Very good point.  It would have to find companies and such with the same interest to join in the fight, like say, some of the ATV Dealers.  I am not a lawyer, but I would think that if where non-for-profit, then any donations could be tax deductible.  But awesome point!   

[GrizzlyBear]

The Ocala National Forest Association is just the organization you are talking about. We are a non-profit.  We are dealing only withe the ONF, we can use your help.  If you want to start an organization to work in other areas, I will be glad to help.  There is a LOT of work involved in starting one.  The application for non profit status is 36 pages.

[FORD4X4GIRL]

The Ocala National Forest Association is just the organization you are talking about. We are a non-profit.  We are dealing only withe the ONF, we can use your help.  If you want to start an organization to work in other areas, I will be glad to help.  There is a LOT of work involved in starting one.  The application for non profit status is 36 pages.

I am willing to talk to some of the already exsisting conservation clubs in the area & see if they will be willing to start an ORV chapter.... but someone has to help with the proposal information ....

[indianjoe]

I have suggested this idea to a couple of the board members of the Florida Trail Riders..have not had alot of response. They already are a well respected statewide organization that represents  off road racing for dirt bikes and quads, (alot of members on this site are already members of FTR) They have been in existence for many years..and have a well established reputation. If the board could be convinced they could create a branch that represents recreational riders state wide. I agree we need a state wide organization to provide a loud vocie in Tallahassee and in locally areas.

[cheropride]

If the board could be convinced they could create a branch that represents recreational riders state wide. I agree we need a state wide organization to provide a loud vocie in Tallahassee and in locally areas.

Is there anything that we can do?  That would be awesome if it could be gone about that way.

I also urge anyone, like myself, who is yet not a member of one or both organizations mentioned here (ONFA or FTR), to please become a member.  That is the least we could do help our cause.

FORD4X4 - is there a website for ONFA? 
Indianjoe whats the website for FTR?

[indianjoe]

http://www.floridatrailriders.org/

http://www.onfa.org/

[SomBch]

a) The Congress finds and declares that—
(1) vast segments of the public rangelands are producing less than their potential for livestock, wildlife habitat, recreation, forage, and water and soil conservation benefits, and for that reason are in an unsatisfactory condition;
(2) such rangelands will remain in an unsat­isfactory condition and some areas may decline further under present levels of, and funding for, management;
(3) unsatisfactory conditions on public ­rangelands present a high risk of soil loss, desertification,[1] and a resultant underproductiv­ity for large acreages of the public lands; contribute significantly to unacceptable levels of siltation and salinity in major western watersheds including the Colorado River; negatively impact the quality and availability of scarce western water supplies; threaten important and frequently critical fish and wildlife habitat; prevent expansion of the forage resource and resulting benefits to livestock and wildlife production; increase surface runoff and flood danger; reduce the value of such lands for recreational and esthetic purposes; and may ultimately lead to unpredictable and undesirable long-term local and regional climatic and economic changes;
(4) the above-mentioned conditions can be addressed and corrected by an intensive public rangelands maintenance, management, and improvement program involving significant increases in levels of rangeland management and improvement funding for multiple-use values

This is TITLE43-CHAPTER37 of the most current federal law dealing with public land.It is proof that the enviromentalist groups are not as much your enemy in this fight as your federal and state governments. If they feel land is no longer producing the wildlife or the overall vegitation is in decline they will close it , and there would be little that anyone could do about it.This is a sad truth.

[miamigirlrider]

Under advice of many at Fridays meeting and some already established nonprofit orgs already mentioned here we are in the works of seeking to become a nonprofit organization ourselves. If you are interested or have suggestions that can help in what we are trying to realize for our sport please reach me at miamigirlrider@yahoo.com

BTW, our color article comes out in 2 weeks and we will be in the Herald tomorrow again... =)

[cheropride]

I will surely email you. maimigirl...

Just for the rest of us, would this organization be basically what we are discussing?  Could/Would it be a state-wide organization.  I know from the post that I read from you (miamigirlrider) you are surely involved in alot of the aspect of protecting our rights, and any thing that I can do to help this type of organization to become a reality, I would and as I would hope many would.  I really think that we need something state-wide, with perhaps specific regions, such south, central and then north florida, but all under on organization.

I just got done reading the article that was posted previously regarding the "Unclassifed OHV Routes", what a bunch of (well you know).  I am not saying that ATV's don't impact the area, but in the same wording they speak of forestry products.  So it's okay to cut down all the trees for a profit, and it's okay to do a control burn so they can have access, but it's not okay for us to ride.  That's just wrong.  Forestry and their so called controlled burns does a heck of a lot more damage.

But back to the subject, miamigirl - please keep us posted, if this where you are heading, then like I said before, don't want to re-invent the wheel....

[cheropride]

I will post the link to the website which will contain a paypal donation. I am only requiring donations. Again this is a volunteer organization run by volunteers, across the state of Florida. This organization will not only incorporate OHV users, but all off road users across the state of florida.

The bottom line is if we don't join forces to keep our land we will loose our land.

Raptor

THIS SOUNDS PERFECT - PLEASE DO KEEP US POSTED.

Well at the least, we are getting good information, AGAIN, PLEASE EACH ONE OF US NEEDS TO PICK ATLEAST ONE OR TWO, IF NOT MORE OF THESE TYPES OF ORGANIZATIONS AND SUPPORT THEM, so we can make a damn good attemp to get things done. 

thank you for the info....you where posting while I was, so I didn't read until after my previous post...

[miamigirlrider]

One thing you may want to keep aware of I have done legal research and spoke with some elected official when it comes to this, if you go to your County Officials and ask to team up for grant purposes or for there help they ask for the nonprof. mailing address to see if its within there counties. Commissioner do not like to see there County dollars go elsewhere were they cannot have turned back to there County... Just a thing to keep in mind.

I plan on pushing for alot of things to happen in Miami Dade as well as Florida whenever a fellow rider like Dennis, North Port or Rick ask for our help.

Trust me when I say I WILL GET A SAFETY COURSE GOING HERE!! MARK MY WORDS!! 

United we stand

[Thrumud]

Great Post.    Great to see ATV enthusiast come together like this.   

[cheropride]

I will post the link to the website which will contain a paypal donation. I am only requiring donations. Again this is a volunteer organization run by volunteers, across the state of Florida. This organization will not only incorporate OHV users, but all off road users across the state of florida.

The bottom line is if we don't join forces to keep our land we will loose our land.

THIS SOUNDS PERFECT - PLEASE DO KEEP US POSTED.

Well at the least, we are getting good information, AGAIN, PLEASE EACH ONE OF US NEEDS TO PICK ATLEAST ONE OR TWO, IF NOT MORE OF THESE TYPES OF ORGANIZATIONS AND SUPPORT THEM, so we can make a damn good attemp to get things done. 

thank you for the info....you where posting while I was, so I didn't read until after my previous post...

Okay maybe I'm crazy, but where did that orginal post go? 

Perhaps our best bet is to try and contact the Florida Trail Riders - I would be more than willing to contact them, anyone have any suggestions as to whom I should contact.  I just think that it would be alot easier to contact an established organization such as FTR and try to first to see if they would be interested.  Or of course, to join up with any organizations that were possibly in the making....

[logger]

cheropride - check your email or your spam folder. I got one from the stewards of the land. There email address is soloffroad4@aol.com. I am thinking about joining.. From what I understand that is in the process..

[cheropride]

cheropride - check your email or your spam folder. I got one from the stewards of the land. There email address is soloffroad4@aol.com. I am thinking about joining.. From what I understand that is in the process..

Cool - thanks

[AmericanRobster]

I think that all of the major ATV dealers need to step up and help out with this issue. There could be some funding along with sponsored riding events, along with a stronger arm at these county meetings that have been going on. Also I think that once thier sales decline with all the limited riding areas we have and more to be taken away ( North Port, Miami-Dade) they will need to act soon themselves to save thier bussinesses. Does Florida have a dealers association? The efforts that people are taking are great so lets hope some land will be spared for our family oriented sport that we all participate in.

[SWFRider]

Anyone checked this out http://www.atvaonline.com/

[cheropride]

Anyone checked this out http://www.atvaonline.com/

Checked it out, looks pretty cool.  Going to look more into this.  Thanks for the information