This is an article from the ocala star banner, I see it as the beginning of the end, but I hope not.

Forest Service closes 7,000 acres in Forest

STEVEN RAY HABERLIN
Staff Writer

OCALA — For off-road enthusiasts, the Ocala National Forest will shrink by 7,000 acres starting next month.

The USDA Forest Service announced Tuesday it will close trails in Lake Delancy and Paisley Woods to prevent further damage from off-road vehicles. The restrictions will take effect Nov. 4.

"The key is balance. We’re trying to balance recreational use with the need to protect the environment. To provide that balance, these areas just need some rest," Forest Service spokeswoman Denise Rains said.

Each year, off-road riders using Jeeps, trucks, motorcycles, four-wheelers and other all-terrain vehicles create about 20 miles of new trails inside the two areas, according to the Forest Service. As a result, wildlife, vegetation and other delicate resources have been damaged, officials said.

Rains said the Ocala National Forest is part of a shrinking list of public places that accommodate off-road riding.

Temporarily, Forest Service officials plan to close those most heavily used areas until spring, when a land-use plan is expected to be finalized and a system of designated trails likely will be reopened in Lake Delancy and Paisley Woods. The forest's Access Designation Plan would limit off-road vehicles to certain trails to protect the forest.

Until then, Forest law enforcement officers plan to patrol the restricted areas. Fines can range up to $5,000 or six months in jail, Rains said.

The closures come as the popularity of off-road activity is exploding.

"I personally don’t support any of these road closures," said Butch Williams, co-founder of Southeast Early Broncos Inc., a 25-member club that uses the forest twice a year. "It’s government land — we pay for it."

Williams said his club adheres to environmentally friendly regulations and would have rather had Forest officials work with off-road enthusiasts to solve the problem.

But Chad Scroggie, founder of the Southern Pride Off Road 4X4 Club, whose 20 members use the forest on weekends, said he understands the need to limit off-road vehicles in parts of the forest. He said the club periodically does trail cleanups and members have switched from "big-swamp" tires to all-terrain tires, which have less impact.

"It’s going to affect us, but we can live with it," he said. "We understand what’s going on (with the forest). We’re trying to save it for everybody."

[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif[/img]

Kimberly

Current Stable:
2003 Raptor - Kimberly
2003 Raptor - Dave
2001 Warrior - For Sale
1993 Warrior
1993 Suzuki LT230