Ocala National Forest closing miles of user created routes

Restoration efforts in the Ocala National Forest include closing miles of user created routes and old firelines


UMATILLA -- Areas of the Ocala National Forest that were never meant for man-made vehicle traffic have now been returned to nature.
U.S. Forest Service employees continued a large-scale restoration project, begun in 2008, to remove user-created routes and old firelines.
"If people see something out there and don't know, then they'll use it," said Forest Service spokesperson Heather Callahan Frebe. "So what we've done is we're trying to restore it back to forest landscape."
This summer, those efforts focused on areas near Alexander Springs and the Penner Ponds region of the Ocklawaha River. Workers restored approximately 130 miles of user-created roads and old firelines by planting trees, seeding, and covering visible entrances with live vegetation or large berms.
"We are serious about restoring these areas that have been destroyed or denuded," said District Ranger Rick Lint. "Everything left over is a scar on the landscape that needs to be rehabilitated and what we're doing is planting it back. This has been a fairly controversial project but we will be successful."
Although some people may be upset about not being able to access their favorite hunting spot or go off-roading with their car or truck, the project is intended for the benefit of the forest's inhabitants, not its visitors. Advantages of the project include protecting watersheds, preventing erosion, and improving habitat for game and non-game species.
"In some of these places, the less dense the roads are, the better it is for the animals," Callahan Frebe said.
Although many of these user-created routes have been removed, those who enjoy exploring the forest's many wonders will still have ample access. Callahan Frebe said there are 187 miles of approved trails to ride on and the Ocala National Forest offers one of the most extensive road systems in the southern national forests. There are over 1,500 miles of roads open to the public; more than 50 percent of the forest is within 600 feet of a road, over 80 percent is within .25 miles of a road, and over 90 percent is within .5 miles of a road.
"In the past year we have made great efforts to sign roads and close user created routes and old firelines that are no longer needed," Lint said. "Unfortunately following last year's recreation season many of these areas were re-opened by users."
Those caught on closed user-created routes, damaging resources, or being off designated roads can be fined up to $1,000 and issued a mandatory court appearance.
Visitors are encouraged to contact the local ranger district stations or visitor centers to obtain maps or by visiting http://www.fs.fed.us/r8/florida/ocal...n/ohv.overview under Motor Vehicle Use Maps-Ocala. For more information, contact the Seminole Ranger Station at 352-669-3153 or the Lake George Ranger Station at 352-625-2520.


LARRY ELL
Staff Writer
The Daily Commercial