ATV's in Highland Co.

An article in the Tampa Tibune today

SEBRING — ATV-riders and others in Highlands County’s large dirt-bike riding crowd have the most to lose if the county is succesful strengthening a new state law that becomes effective Oct. 1.
Highlands County may ask for a special exemption that would make it illegal to ride ATVs on paved or dirt roads. The state law only bans riding on paved roads but allows riding on dirt roads with posted speed limits of 35 mph or lower.

Highlands County Commissioners are scheduled to consider a resolution at today’s meeting debating whether to make the state law more stringent.

County officials said allowing ATVs on unpaved roads leads to accidents, roll-overs, serious injuries and death. They also said ATVs damage the county’s unpaved roads, resulting in road hazards and high maintenance costs.

A call seeking comment from Highlands County Administrator Carl Cool was not returned before press time Monday. But Capt. Paul Blackman, who heads the Highlands County Sheriff’s Office’s road patrol division, said commissioners should vote in favor of the proposal.

“We’re constantly getting complaints of reckless ATV drivers, not to mention those riding on private property,” Blackman said, adding the county has also experienced a few deaths as a result of reckless ATV riders in recent years.

But the proposal isn’t sitting well with at least one county resident.

Jeff Cowell, owner of GHC Motorsports in Lake Placid, plans to argue against the proposal at Tuesday’s meeting.

So popular are the All-Terrain Vehicles in Highlands County that Cowell said half his business sales alone depend on them.

“We’re a rural county. Many people here ride ATVs and the state law should stand as it is. Our commissioners shouldn’t be questioning the intent of the state Legislature,” said Cowell, whose previous county commission appearances involved him asking the county to set aside land for ATV use.

A Place To Ride
The need for a designated piece of land for county residents to ride their ATVs isn’t lost on county personnel.
Highlands County Administrator Carl Cool said in April that he’s received an overwhelming number of requests from county residents for a safe and legitimate place to ride their ATVs.

He said any designated area must have clear-cut rules about what’s permitted, and not endanger the county’s native wildlife, including its threatened plant and animal species.

“These ATVs have a reputation for just mowing plants over,” Cool said, adding any ATV park will serve a as a “huge asset to the county,” given the demand.

“But unfortunately there isn’t a group organized well enough around here to make a good enough presentation before the county to help make it happen,” Cool said.

Cool said the South Florida Water Management District owns several large tracks of land that could be used for ATV riding, although those lands are designed to protect threatened plants and animals. He said he’s also talked to Southwest Florida Water Management District officials about possibly using some of their land.

A 640-acre ATV park opened in Collier County earlier this year.

Highlands County Parks and Recreation Director Vicki Pontius said her staff has received several petitions from hundreds of residents asking for an ATV track in Highlands County.

“We’re taking those requests seriously,” Pontius said in April.

Highlands County Parks and Recreation Chairman Ned Hancock also said in April that such a track will remain a priority for the county, hopefully within a three- to five-year time period.

But funding is an obstacle, he said.