List of People to Contact for OHV Concerns

[themensh]

  Only beach you can drive/ride on is in Volusia County  (Ormond/Daytona area).
   I towed my Grizzly down to the beach on New Years eve/day and rode for about an hour.  Kind of boring really......10 MPH in a straight line.  LOL
Right now.....there are no beach tolls, so I didn't have to 'check-in' with anyone.  While riding, a beach patrol truck passed me going the other way........didn't even see me I think.
  I just yesterday bought my atv "registration".  I took a copy of my title down to the tax office.......they took $4 from me and gave me a sticker to put on my left rear fender.  I guess I am "legal' now!!!!

  Chuck

[npkodiak]

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

[themensh]

way to go kodiak..........we need to let them know we are here.
  I am sure they have the answers to our questions right in front of
them....but let them keep sending replies.

    chuck roast

[tekhanto]

That's the same one I got back...ended up with I think three from different
people at State.

[AintSkeered]

 NEWS ALERT!!!!!

U.S. House Subcommittee Restores Funding for Recreation and Trails

May 4, 2006

Washington, D.C.

The Interior Subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee today approved legislation that provides the Forest Service with funding for FY 2007.  As a part of the overall Forest Service appropriations, the Subcommittee approved $262 million for Recreation Programs, $11 million more that requested by the Administration. 

For trails programs and maintenance, the Subcommittee appropriated $73.4 million, $13 million more than was in the President’s budget request.

ARRA members have been very active in lobbying for more federal funds for these worthy programs and your comments to your Members of Congress have paid off.

This measure now goes to the full House Appropriations Committee for approval and then to the entire House of Representatives. The U.S. Senate will need to take similar action before this measure becomes law.

Congratulations to all those ARRA members who took the time to contact their Representatives and Senators on these important programs.  Progress is being made, but we will need to do more work in the coming weeks to ensure success.

 

 

[AintSkeered]

Comments Requested on Florida's Big Cypress National Reserve OHV Management Plan
http://www.arra-access.com/arra/cypress_comments.html?member_key=e6i63n2o5b378x&
The meetings are this week and one is in Ft. Lauderdale Thursday 4-7pm. Get involved.

[AintSkeered]

http://www.arra-access.com/campaign/subcommittee_hearing_mar13/e6i63nzh7b5e5t5?