Orlando Sentenial ONF a must read

[needforspeed]

Rangers rein in riders
Joy riding in the sprawling Ocala National Forest is destroying nature, and changes must be made, rangers say.
Stephen Hudak
Sentinel Staff Writer

May 2, 2006

OCALA NATIONAL FOREST -- The earth-chewing tires of off-road vehicles have wrought damage to the forest that is worse than feared, federal officials said as they prepare to impose tighter and tougher controls on joy riders in the sprawling forest.

"To not make changes would be irresponsible," Ranger Rick Lint said.

The U.S. Forest Service, caretakers of the 383,000-acre forest in Lake, Volusia, Marion and Putnam counties, is implementing long-threatened rules. They include the first-ever marked trails for Jeeps, motorcycles and other all-terrain off-road vehicles that used to have run of the land.

But marked trails aren't the only changes.

The Forest Service has secured federal grants to hire police officers to keep renegade riders on designated paths, Lint said. The service also has petitioned federal courts to double the fines for trailblazers, who are blamed for much of the damage to the forest's delicate habitat.

"You might have heard about how motorized vehicles have abused the land, but when you see it firsthand, it's just 'Wow,' " Lint said after reviewing photographs that wildlife biologists collected last week during an acre-by-acre assessment. "It's just shocking."

It also can't continue, he said.

Lush habitat, where the vines of the endangered Florida bonamia grew and red-cockaded woodpeckers nested, has become a rutted desert broken only by occasional trash heaps.

"They've gotten into about every sinkhole, prairie pond and wetland out there," said Carrie Sekerak, a U.S. Forest Service wildlife biologist who helped document the damage.

Forest officials last year closed 8,200 acres of environmentally sensitive land in Lake County where repeated thrill-riding had deeply scarred a prairie pond. Work crews have begun to mark 42 miles of trails set aside for ATVs and dirt bikes.

Rangers also are prepared to enforce a policy of "closed unless marked open."

The new policy, which is opposite of the current practice of "open unless marked closed," means that more than 1,000 miles of snaking trails will be off limits to riders.

Forest officials expect a fight, and they'll probably get one.

The Florida Four-Wheel Drive Association, which wants more play areas, met Thursday to discuss their options, including possible lawsuits, said Jason Kawaja, its president.

The group represents owners of Jeeps, Hummers, pickups and other four-wheel-drive vehicles that are licensed for the highway -- a distinction separating them from ATVs.

"I think we're seen by the Forest Service as more of a problem than a solution," said Kawaja, who is among dozens of association volunteers who have helped clean up forest trails.

ATV riders also don't feel welcome in the forest, said B.J. Johnson, president of the Muddy Waters ATV Association based in Deltona.

"We all feel they'd rather push us out than help us out," he said.

But as riding groups were mulling future legal routes, the Forest Service was driving markers into 20 winding miles of existing paths that will be known as the Paisley OHV [off-highway vehicle] Trail.

The trail begins at the intersection of County Road 445 and a power line.

Albert Heminway, 60, who rode his four-wheel Honda Rancher to the trailhead Friday, sipped coffee from a thermos as he pondered what the new rules meant for him.

He frowned. He would no longer be permitted to ride from his home to the forest.

Heminway, who lives in nearby Shockley Heights, rides unmarked trails at least twice a week, enjoying blue skies and whoop-de-doos, the undulating bumps ATVs make in the sand.

"I can probably live with this," he said.

Not all riders tread as lightly as Heminway.

Federal law-enforcement Officer Chris Crain, one of two lawmen patrolling the forest, said some riders will continue to ignore rules and cut their own trails, even in forbidden areas.

"I've stopped people riding their ATVs with chain saws on the back," he said. "I know what they're doing. . . . They're making their own trails to ride where they want to ride."

Keeping rough-riders on the new trails is essential, especially in places like Paisley, one of the most easily accessible and popular riding destinations, judging from tire damage.

Sekerak, the wildlife biologist, described a 28-square-mile patch of forest near Paisley where researchers counted 400 miles of user-cut trails, a road density rivaling a city block.

"You're talking about hundreds of acres of habitat that are gone," she said.

Sekerak said the riders, their machines and their noise have chased away striped newts and sandhill cranes that nested there and depended on bugs that hid in the vegetation.

"All the ATVers see is a big bird fly off," she said. "They don't realize they've essentially just killed the chick she left behind. That little fuzzy chick needs the warmth of her mother to survive."

Rangers are trying to better understand off-road riders, who are the fastest-growing group of visitors to the forest, which is within an hour's drive for 8 million people.

The U.S. Forest Service recently commissioned University of Florida professor Taylor Stein to study riders -- recreation research that could help rangers avoid conflicts with them.

Lint said he thinks most off-road enthusiasts want trails and a safe, fun riding experience, which is difficult now because of hordes of zig-zagging, criss-crossing riders.

Rangers recently leveled out an open space near Big Scrub for a helicopter landing pad, citing the frequency of emergency medical evacuations because of off-road accidents.

Lint warned that new limits also are coming soon to Big Scrub, a popular riding area that, on its busiest days, can resemble a mall parking lot before Christmas.

"No one wants to bring the hammer down," he said. "But the forest has been a beautiful place for generations, and we have the duty to make sure it stays beautiful for future generations."

Stephen Hudak can be reached at shudak@orlandosentinel.com or 352-742-5930.

[needforspeed]

I think we should contact this reporter and give him our opinions.

[Ida_Mann]

no, the reporter needs to come out for a group ride,,,,I'd lend my Rubicon for the reporter to ride after we certified him safe to ride.

Id@

[needforspeed]

no, the reporter needs to come out for a group ride,,,,I'd lend my Rubicon for the reporter to ride after we certified him safe to ride.

Id@

The almighty power rangers strick again..

I like that idea, what do you say guys... up for a ride with a reporter. I'll contact him, and let him see what the other side sees.

[duroc825]

I know I'll be hunted down and shot by most here but here goes. I have been in this state for almost 25 years and have seen it slowly dwindle away to nothing but "development". Ocala National Forest is a "forest" not an ATV park just like River Ranch is a "hunting" area. Unfortunately there has come a time where we (ATV'ers) have but only a few choices of were to ride legally anymore. And that is on public lands like Ocala Natl. Forest. I challenge anyone that remembers what the forest looked like 20, even 10 years ago, to say they can't see the difference between then and now when it comes to trails in certain areas. It is sad but true that we are slowly destroying the "forest" not atv park. And also quickly destroying any future chances of having Ocala as a place to ride. We (including myself) need to resist the urge to make new trails and to stay out of the wetland areas because we all know what the "biologists" and environmemtalists will do. They will win in this situaion because there is no major amount of $$$$ to be made by allowing free range of ATV's in the forest compared to urban sprawl.

[duroc825]

I wonder why there couldn't be a set area, say take 5,000 ( a small portion of 300,000) acres and use it like Croom. I understand that might take away some of the timber company's land but oh boohoo! I believe we all pay for this land and should all be entitled to use it for outdoor recreation. Unfortunately there are way too many people out there riding that could care less what the purpose of this land is for and that is the people who we need to get mad about and start doing something about. Just about every National Forest allows ATV'ing and eveery one of them controls it in similar ways to Ocala. Closed areas, temporary closed areas, designated trails etc. Do people get away with riding anywhere they want at places like Durhamtown, Coal Creek and other places? I don't believe so. They too have similar and sometimes more strict rules if I'm not mistaken (things like alcohol, helmets, riding double). Lets all start thinking a little bit about where we're riding and try not to screw it up like all the old private "illegal" spots we used to have. Ok now you guys can start shooting!

[tony pitts]

 I have been riding the forest for 5 years with my family and friends we love the trails that are already in place . we have a great time each trip. but what really pisses me off is when they start talking about destruction of the forest every time we go to the forest i can show you hundreds of acres that are destroyed by dozers tree haulers excetra...... and i garantee you they didnt slow down for the birdnest , snakes , woody woodpeckers or any other nature for that matter.we have never needed to make new trails although we have had to go around a few fallen trees. and as for the officer with the chainsaw problem all you know is what you want to because for all you know he could have been cutting downed trees in the and in that case i would like to thank him for making the trails safer for me to ride the way i like to fast and hard. and to all that read thi im going to ride there as long as my body lets me good luck if you think your going to stop me im so tired of seeing all the garbage dumped every where in the forest 3 quarters of the blame is the locals in the area the rest can be blamed on everybody else  when we go to the forest we have garbage bags and clean up our mess thats just being responsible.sorry so angry it just gets my blood boiling everytime i see thi kind of news

[duroc825]

Anger is a good thing when expressed in the right way and direction. I don't think many locals drive way back the trails and sporadically drop water bottles along the trails, although alot of the major trash (piles) is from locals. It's just as simple as this, look at major cities in the north (New York, Chicago, Cleveland, Pittsburgh). When ya get to many people concentrated in one area, like Fl is becoming, things start to get real "messy" and I aint just talkin about trash!

[needforspeed]

I agree with both of you. The point is it could have been managed and developed so everyone would have a good time. The forest is big enough, and still have a forest. The old theroy is if I give you something you want you will stay on the trail, and I will have compliance.

Let me ask you this after what you read, would you volunteer your time and enegy to do trail work, and still know that kind of attitude exists. I know I wouldn't.

[Sleazy_Rider78]

Maybe we could organize a clean up ride at ONF and bring the reporter along with us.  We could call it the "I got trashed at ONF" clean up ride.  Just an idea to bring some good PR to the sport and show that we do care about the environment.

[Ida_Mann]

I know I'll be hunted down and shot by most here but here goes. I have been in this state for almost 25 years and have seen it slowly dwindle away to nothing but "development". Ocala National Forest is a "forest" not an ATV park just like River Ranch is a "hunting" area. Unfortunately there has come a time where we (ATV'ers) have but only a few choices of were to ride legally anymore. And that is on public lands like Ocala Natl. Forest. I challenge anyone that remembers what the forest looked like 20, even 10 years ago, to say they can't see the difference between then and now when it comes to trails in certain areas. It is sad but true that we are slowly destroying the "forest" not atv park. And also quickly destroying any future chances of having Ocala as a place to ride. We (including myself) need to resist the urge to make new trails and to stay out of the wetland areas because we all know what the "biologists" and environmemtalists will do. They will win in this situaion because there is no major amount of $$$$ to be made by allowing free range of ATV's in the forest compared to urban sprawl.

since I have been riding the same spots in ONF for 17 years, I will take the challenge.

The area surrounding Big Scrub and the block of the forest bordered by highways 40 and 314 to the North and South, and Forest Road 88 to the West and Highway 19 to the East.  I have seen my native block of woods(above described) remain basically unchanged,,,,with the exceptions being about a mile of new trails total, and whoops along some of the old trails.  Big Scrub is MUCH different from what it once was.  I remember the days when I used to ride there from the campground and head East down the powerlines and the only sign of any OHV's was a single-bike-wide trail of sand up against the tree line and the rest was lush green grass,,,the trail along the side was(after about a mile away from camp) completely smooth all the way to the pavement nearing Highway 19.

Now, what can I blame this change on,,,many things, but there are three major factors I believe have contributed to this harm. 

1. faster, stronger OHV's(including ATV's and dirtbikes) because when you are going faster over the whoops, you can avoid the up and down motion of them.

2. the amount of OHV's in the population(I wonder what the numbers were 15 years ago as opposed to now)

3. lack of maintenance of the trails.  Anyone will agree with me, what happens when you get on a trail that is all whoop-dee-doo's?  You try to find another way, or a way around,,,,this is how the above-mentioned trail along the treeline ended up being the whole area under the powerlines.

Now, I might be shot for this, but I believe that some areas of Big Scrub need to be limited access AFTER the trail system goes into place, but the trails NEED to be maintained or else the trails will only get wider from whoops.

Id@

[duroc825]

Wow! I haven't heard any flying bullets yet?? I'm sure they will come soon though. Id@ I think we agree on alot and I wish more people did. But one question, why are all the pits closed, the southern end of the forest, and places like Blue Sink closed? Too much traffic and liability issues stemming from ,in the long run, higher traffic. Bottom line is the forest is not an ATV park, yet a place we are given the privelege to enjoy the forest from the use of OHV's.

[Ida_Mann]

the pits used to be the place to go when going to Scrub, they are closed now due to lawsuits of people that got hurt.

uggggg.

Id@

[stacktester]

That ranger Chris out there at Big Scrub, he looks for trouble. Nobody including his own coworkers like him and I can't blame them. I've never personally had a run in with him but he's certainly not a people person. He acts like Mr. Big Shot. He was somehow deprived as a child. He was probably picked on so now he's gonna be Johnny Bada$$.

I hate to see more taken from us as well. I only get to go to Ocala about every 6 weeks but when I go I have always had a good time. We started going back in November of 03 and I can say there's none other like it.

One thing to consider when these lawmakers take away what we have is this. The economy is pushed by buyers like us who buy 4 wheelers, toy haulers, camping equipment and blah blah blah. You get the point. If people have no place to ride then they don't buy these things. I have no problem with a trail system in Ocala but make it plentiful and safe. Grade the trails too so we can enjoy them more without all the whoops. I'm for whatever it takes to keep our trails open. A friend of mine and I take our 2 family's down there and we enjoy good clean fun. I see in a way how the forestry and these groups get pi$$ed when they ride up on somebody just tearin the hell out of wetlands and trash all over. We've picked up many a garbage bag full of beer bottles and cans just to keep it clean. When we go, we ride on the powerline and trails already cut. That Chris ranger should ask himself this about the chainsaw incident he mentioned in the above thread. Were the riders getting wood for a fire from a tree that was dead or was he maybe cutting a tree that was downed across a trail so people wouldn't make a new trail around it. That's like accusing a man carrying a gun of murder before he actually uses it. But if I know him he was ready to give a ticket or mess with somebody. He can't have fun so nobody else can either. I hate to bash the guy but not once has he ever treated a rider out there with respect that I've seen. If he would "speak our language" per say he might get better results. Jumping on somebody's a$$ right off is not a good way to start off.

[SkyHighT100]

Why not set up some sort of a small group ride with a reporter or two, especially somewhere like the trails out by Idas? It's getting kind of rediculous how everything we see on OHVs is one sided. Why not at least make an attempt to get our side heard too? The squeeky hinge gets the oil.... and obviously we arent squeeky

[superstar]

I have been riding the forest for 5 years with my family and friends we love the trails that are already in place . we have a great time each trip. but what really pisses me off is when they start talking about destruction of the forest every time we go to the forest i can show you hundreds of acres that are destroyed by dozers tree haulers excetra...... and i garantee you they didnt slow down for the birdnest , snakes , woody woodpeckers or any other nature for that matter.we have never needed to make new trails although we have had to go around a few fallen trees. and as for the officer with the chainsaw problem all you know is what you want to because for all you know he could have been cutting downed trees in the and in that case i would like to thank him for making the trails safer for me to ride the way i like to fast and hard. and to all that read thi im going to ride there as long as my body lets me good luck if you think your going to stop me im so tired of seeing all the garbage dumped every where in the forest 3 quarters of the blame is the locals in the area the rest can be blamed on everybody else  when we go to the forest we have garbage bags and clean up our mess thats just being responsible.sorry so angry it just gets my blood boiling everytime i see thi kind of news

  I believe that what this gentleman has pointed on is dead nut. For the last year or so, everytime we head out there are more and more huge plots of land that have been dozed over and clea-cut. Seems to me like there is some under lying reasons for this. Most of it started back when they first claimed they were going to shut down the pit, and designate that specific area for one of the trail heads. Restrooms, picnic areas, bail out spots and trail grooming. Havent seen any of it yet. Just the clear cuts and some serious timber removal. Good for the hunters, but like it or not thats gonna come to an end also more than likely.

[eric]

here is the link with a few pics and comments - http://www.orlandosentinel.com/orl-forest0206may02,0,5275823.story

[wilburz]

I think the rangers are just lazy and don't like to patrol. They hate the fact that some dude and his family are out riding atv's while he is sitting on his arse doing nothing. I would like to see that biologists pics of the damage too. Can't be that bad.   

Close the entire place to foot traffic too.

All hail the striped newt!  Give me a break. I have never seen a roving gang of chainsaw weilding atvers there either. Only after the hurricane went through and some riders had to re-cut the existing trails to ride again becuase the rangers were to lazy to do it themselves. 

[greenmachine]

They could have taken those pics at the campground right next to the trashcans for all we know. A few isolated pics showing a few square feet when there is 300,000 acres, give me a break. I do beleive the locals are dumping way more than the nonlocals. The chainsaw thing was so you dont get stuck on a trail & have to make a new one. Do the rangers ever get out of their trucks & actually see all the downed trees crossing trails? The rangers want us all gone so they can set back in their air conditioned trucks & count woodpeckers & drink coffee. State workers at their finest. The reporter should really ride with everybody & Ida even offered his quad, that is classy. Thanks IDa.

[GrizzlyBear]

Everybody forgets one very basic item.  When the Ocala National Forest was originally set up it was, as all other national forests were, to preserve the land.  That is the FIRST responsibility of the Frorestry Division. Timbering is away to manage this land, it is on a 40 year cycle.  The new trail system is what is going to be the wave of the furure.  YOU, and I mean everyone of you need to embrace the future now.  No plans currently exist fot anywhere in the Forest except the new Trail system,  however, believe me when I tell you that depending on how you take advantage of the NEW system and the amount of cooperation you give the Forestry Service with taking care of the rest of the System will determine what happens elsewhere.  Part of the Forestry Service mandate is to provide compatable recreation.  This means use the Forest to enjoy the Forest, NOT to speed through it and do donuts.

[indianjoe]

Idaman, and Duroc825,

You both are right. Unfortunately there are always a few who ruin it for the majority. Not evryone is a bad rider, but Ocala has been torn up. I attended the the Florida OHV Training this week. I saw part of the new trail system. If you don't think there has been trails cut in by atv's then let me pick you up and take you to an eye doctor because you are blind. The group had a stop in a section to demonstrate how they bridged a wet area, and guess what was fresh there, some idiot got off the trail and jumped into the wet grass march next to it and bogged it up. I myself picked up two beer cans on the side of the trail while this  tour was going on.

Riders need to quit complaining and get involved, become part of the solution instead of just complaining. If the irresponsible riding continues across the state and everyone sits back and complains and does nothing to get involved and help change bad riding habits then ya..there won't be any place to ride.  If you want to know how to get involved look at the other post on here today about the Hog Valley Riders Club....Grizzlybear has laid it out this first section is going to be monitored for proper use etc......it is up to everyone to make sure it is a success so an efort can be made to open more.

[needforspeed]

I hate to be the one to disagree and it will be time for the arrows to fly but here goes.. 1st the forest service was started to preserve the land for the people, not just to preserve the land. The timber is getting cut to make money for the forest service because all the budgets are getting cut. The forest land is getting sold because there is not enough money to run the forest service anymore, due to budget cuts. Its all about money.

Will anymore trails be opened, as long as the people in district 8 are in charge I have my doubts.

I think organizing a ride with the reporter is a great idea but lets organize it right, with the right intent.

Generally 90 percent of the people will obey the rules, it is the other 10 percent that will screw it up. If the USFS organizes the efforts correctly it might work, the key is will it be organized correctly? I haven't seen any efforts of that so far.

[tony pitts]

 excuse me, I dont play in the mud we dont make new trails but i dont go to the forest to ride slow and look at nature. i go there to ride because that is how i relax myself were not utility quad riders and it seems to me everything ive read and heard so far on this new trail system sucks the only thing you need for a trail system is one way markers to keep people from running in to each other. yall are talking speed limits . just remember there are 2 kinds of riders in the forest . i would love to join in and help with whatever it takes to keep riding there.but if thats the kind of trails to go slow and observe nature I can do that right here on a moped and thats not me...

[needforspeed]

Your excused dude, and your also right.

[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.