ATV Florida Forum

This  was  in  the  Ocala  Star  Banner  on the  14th.  It  said  US  Forest  Service  was  closing  8200  acres  on  the  southern  edge  of  ONF  in  the  area  of  Linadale  between  State  Road  42 , Forest  Road  587  and  State  Road  19.  You  can  get  more  info  at  www.Starbanner.com  Go  to  News  and  then  to  archives.  Now  dont  this  just  suck !!!! >:(

Is this the Big Scrub area?

page 2 of this link shows a map http://www.fs.fed.us/r8/florida/local-resources/images/maps/oca/Linadale%20maps.pdf


Areas in the Ocala National Forest closed to Off-Road Riders


Reacting to effects of off-road vehicles, the Forest Service must proceed with a partial closure of another portion of the Ocala National Forest. Traffic in portions of the most heavily impacted area in the southwest portion of the forest near the community of Linadale will be restricted to designated roads beginning immediately.

Forest Service experts have determined a partial closure of about 8,200 acres is necessary to prevent ongoing damage from vehicles riding off roads. Monitoring indicates to Forest Service experts responsible for protecting forest lands that unacceptable impacts are occurring.

“The growth rate of new trails being created by off-road riders and the resulting resource damage is alarming,” said District Ranger Rick Lint, “We must balance the use allowed with what the land can support.”

Not only are some riders blatantly damaging areas, the sheer number of riders is overwhelming the capability of the land. The message is clear to off-road riders -- if you want to continue to use the Forest, you must ride more responsibly.

Beyond this action, more changes will be coming to protect the Forest. An ongoing access designation process will eventually limit off-highway vehicle use to a system of roads and trails throughout the forest.

The Forest Service originally initiated an access designation process out of concern for the rapid increase of all forms of off-highway vehicle use. The first phase of that process is nearly complete with a final decision on an Environmental Impact Statement due to be signed and implemented soon. Phase two of the process will address all areas not covered in the first phase and will follow immediately after phase one.

For those wanting to know where they can ride, the area for this closure is between State Road 42, Forest Road 587, and State Road 19 (see map). Signs will be posted clearly indicating the closure area. For more information, call the Ranger District Office at (352) 669-3153.

I didn't realize ONF went south of 42?

This area is well south of Scrub and looks to include the Big Bass campground area. I know they have warned riders of going there is the past. Gotta stay away from the wetlands when we see the red keep out signs :-/

Here is what happened to one pond there http://www.fs.fed.us/r8/florida/local-resources/images/Linadale%20damage.pdf

Here is the decision memo issued by the Seminole Ranger District
http://www.fs.fed.us/r8/florida/documents/Linadale%20temp%20restr%20area%20DM%2005.pdf

That really stinks!!!! :'( :'( :'(

I've only been to the forest a couple times, but hope to go more often in the future.  The last two times I went, I parked just north of Big Bass in a pull-off by the information sign.  There were other vehicles parked there and trails running to the east.  Was I not supposed to be in that area?

Not sure but i would say stay to the north closer to Scrub for now.

Don't these people know that we enjoy mudding and riding in areas like that.  They have to give us a couple of areas for that.  Just plain riding on dirt trails is boring.  I guess thats the diffrence between us 4*4 utility bikers and the sport bikes.  >:(

If the state would get involved with possibly dedicating a piece of land, maybe we (atv/dirtbike) owners wouldn't be in places we shouldn't.  I do abide by the law but understand the frustation from both sides.  A state funded facility-much different than mediocre Croom that charges a permit fee/entrance fee would bank a lot of money!!  Where do the funds from the fees that must be paid by the dealership to the state go when atv's/dirtbikes are purchased?

following is a clip from today's Orlando Sentinel, front page worthy?  Probably not-just more bad publicity on a topic that affects very few in the state.  I apologize in advance for any inconvienance my opinions inserted in between the article may cause-I couldn't contain myself.


Ken Harrison, an ATV enthusiast who volunteers his weekends to help rangers rein in off-road vehicles in the forest, said many riders disappoint him with their ignorance.

"They're more interested in their pleasure than protecting the resource," he said.

Harrison said most zip along too fast, unable to "see where a bear marked a tree with his claws because they're spending their time looking out so they don't crash into a tree."

(I appreciate nature-sorry I don't get a good glimpse when I'm riding-that's because I'm riding-not a nature walking/riding.  And this guy considers himself an enthusiast)

Bob Simons, a forester and member of Florida Defenders of the Environment, said off-road vehicles plow through the forest grounds, leaving a wake of damage and noise.

He heard them buzzing there last week while exploring the forest for butterflies.

"They're not necessarily compatible with more peaceful pursuits like, say, a Boy Scout hike," Simons said. "It's hard to commune with nature with 1,000 ATVs roaring by."

(how many acres of land in the onf are already prohibited from riding in-I'm sure if they were to go butterfly catching/searching in some of the other 100,000 acres of this land-they would probably find a butterfly and maybe even a tree where a bear has scratched his claws against)

Dale N. Bosworth, chief of the U.S. Forest Service, has identified unmanaged recreation -- notably ATVs -- as one of the four main threats to national forests.

Thanks again florida.

never been to onf , looks like if I want to ride there I'd better go some time real soon  before it's illeagal to ride anywhere in it

leave it up to the tree hugging commies.

THIS REALLY SUX. This is our fav spot cause its quiet and good for the little ones.
I think they are logging but it still sux. IAM PISSED.
LIVE AND LEARN I GUESS.

It seems like "the powers to be" who controls the closures of the forest areas wants the areas that we can ride in to became smaller and smaller. To me it seems that would cause more damage due to more riders in a smaller area.We need to find a fix that works for both sides of the debate.

I was thinking about it and in the south area there are allot of tree's over trails hanging or blocking . that could be hazardous. Maybe they are just cleaning it taking out the downed trees??

Got me? ???

I'm hope you are right.I do think the press release might have used the words temporary closing

I agree w/ you that it would be nice to come up w/ a solution that would please both sides. Now we need to find that plan.

i guess i'll be looking for an enduro motor cycle. that way i'll ride the trails and when i come to restricted areas i'll be a licensed vehicle so i could ride the numbered roads too and no one in a green truck could say a dam thing.

jeff

 [smiley=drive.gif] You guy and gals should open up  
your own nat forest and  make sure it's private owner for yourselfs.

>:(So you get these dispointed about this dumb closeing due some dumb idiot  wreck peoples fun.

8)Make a nat forest thats hads the longest atv offroad trail in Florida.You have to find land cheap and somewhere in middle nowhere that no towns that meets. ;D :D  

>:(

Those  Environmentest  are  nuts they just like little boy scouts playing around in woods too long spying on atvs trying do thoses atv road bans.And try make us in media look we are bad guys.At least for atv people don't shoot each other like in big cityies with high crimes going down theses days and troops overseas are trying come home to ride their atvs again thats what i been reading in dirt wheels magzines for last few months so far.

At least atv people  are peaceful with other people they don't
shoot people,and they are very nice people,It's like hobby for them.I don't care if   atvs ride down on my road it won't buggy me bit and alot my friends won't called on  atv people.


The environmentest need get a life  they should be going to oceans that people litter with cans onshore.They need stop blaming atvs on  the news they can take to wrong way you going have alot people doing lawsults or going tallahadsee courthouse alot or washington Dc.I know one day something might happen if all atv clubs,all atv manfacters over in japan and united states and companys that make any kind stuff make for atvs they might sue  Environmentest and forest rangers .

They mentioned in the article that damage was due to the large and increasing number of users. Maybe if the idiots in Tallahassee that are stealing our title money would open up some d**n riding areas people could go elsewhere.

(bump) ;D

Tree Humppers Win Again [smiley=baby.gif]

One other problem is they can say what they want and come up w/ any reason to close down these areas. Not like Mr Jeb is going to go out for himself to see if 8,200 acres was an accurate estimation, they kill more land out there cuuting timber then we do riding on it. When was the last time you saw a 4 wheeler cruise through the forest and knock over 20+thousand trees. As for the pond, boo hoo, the freakn thing was dried up, whatever was living in it was dead long before we showed up. And when God decides to drop 6 feet of water to fill it back in who is gonna notice a few rutts in the bottom.
They can build a mall on top of a national wet land and put a huge parking lot w/ it yet we cant make a pathway between 2 trees to get across the forest. bahumbug. I am going to build an "Environmentally Safe 4wheeler" that drops pine tree seeds down behind it everywhere its riden in the wood. ;D

 Well said.[smiley=trophy1.gif]