I submitted as well, and today I got this nice letter back - nicely telling me "no":
Commissioner Putnam asked that I address your inquiry regarding off-highway vehicle (OHV) usage on Tiger Bay State Forest (TBSF).
The Florida Forest Service (FFS) currently offers OHV trails at Croom Motorcycle Area at Withlacoochee State Forest and Tate’s Hell State Forest, and will soon offer a trail at Blackwater River State Forest. In fiscal year 2011/2012, approximately 45,000 individuals utilized FFS OHV Program facilities. As an agency, we are leaders in OHV opportunities across the state of Florida.
The FFS has been a diligent advocate for the OHV community across the state. The T. Mark Schmidt Off-Highway Vehicle Safety and Recreation Program (Chapter 261, F.S.) is administered by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the FFS. Since 2004, the program has awarded nearly $2.5 million in grants to promote and expand OHV safety and riding opportunities in Florida. This money went to a variety of governmental and non-profit agencies for use on public and private lands. This exceeds most, if not all, public agency commitment to the state-wide OHV community.
The FFS provides natural resource-based recreation opportunities to many user groups. We carefully assess and plan all activities on state forests, and incorporate all public processes that are required when introducing an activity on lands we manage. Based on our assessment of resources on TBSF, input from the TBSF Liaison Group, the TBSF 10-year Resource Management Plan, and first-hand experience and knowledge of OHV programs, the FFS does not support OHV trails as a compatible use at this location.
The FFS acknowledges the desires of the local OHV community for a riding opportunity in east central Florida and we offer our assistance to the community and other public land managers to assess other lands in your area to determine a suitable location.
The FFS is proud to be a part of your community. We will continue to manage Tiger Bay State Forest for forest health and the recreational enjoyment of future generations.
Jim Karels, Director
Florida Forest Service
