Dear Commissioner Mann,

I have written to you just recently about this serious issue. Dangerous ATV activity in NE Lehigh Acres.

Today I am driving down E. 14th Street and an ATV pulls out in front of me off of a side road. I have to break! He is now traveling at a high rate of speed on 14th. I follow him down a side road to his home at 3102 E. 13th St.

He gets off the ATV (a male without a shirt or helmet about 40 y/o), and starts to wash it down. I call 477-1000 to report this activity. I am connected to no less than 5 departments ending up with the substation # 2 in Lehigh Acres.

I am told that nothing can be done because it has to be witnessed. I tell them I witnessed it, and followed him to his house! Sorry sir, there has to be “Probable Cause.” I tell her I witnessed it myself. That should be “Probable Cause.” Nope, she says it has to be witnessed by a deputy.

So what do I do, stop breaking for them and just run them over so the deputy will have “Probable Cause?”

What ever happened to “Citizen’s Arrest?”

They are driving down our streets to get to private property to ride these ATV’s.  My understanding is the law states that LSCO cannot do anything as long as they are on private property (no matter if they have permission or not), nothing can be done unless the owner complains.

ALL property in Lehigh Acres is private! Most don’t live here, but still own the property. Do you think they want ATV riders tearing up their land?

The ordinance needs to be changed to read that the riders MUST have certification from the property owners to ride on the property. Then this law needs to be enforced. How many need to be transported to hospitals or the morgue before actions is taken.

Please, I beg of you to do something with this increasing problem out here in Lehigh.

Good afternoon, Mr. Jordan! Thank you for your email to Commissioner Bigelow regarding ATV riders and the current ordinance. I have forwarded your email to the Commissioner for his review. In the meantime, please do not hesitate to contact me if I can be of further assistance! Janeen
 
 
 
P
Please consider the environment before printing this email note.
 
 
 
District Two Office
Lee County Board of County Commissioners
 
Brian Bigelow – Commissioner
 
Janeen Paulauskis – Assistant
 
Telephone:      (239) 533-2227
Fax:                 (239) 485-2099
Email:              District2@leegov.com
US Mail:           PO Box 398, Fort Myers, Florida 33902
Office:              Old Lee County Courthouse
                        2120 Main Street, Fort Myers, Florida 33901
 
 
Note:  Florida public records laws require most governmental communication documents subject to public disclosure.
 

Mr. Jordan,
 
Thank you for writing regarding this matter.  I agree with you that citizen’s arrest should be enough, but it is a state law (not County Ordinance) that states that law enforcement must witness the crime.   I will be happy to forward a copy of your comments to your State Legislators, the Honorable Dave Aronberg, State Senator, and the Honorable Nick Thompson, State House of Representatives, to review on your behalf.

 
Commissioner Bob Janes, District #1
Lee County Board of County Commissioners
Post Office Box 398
Fort Myers, FL 33902-0398
239.533.2224 (Office Number)
239.485.2155 (Fax Number)
Dist1@leegov.com ist1@leegov.com>
 

Janes forwards email to Sen Aronbert and Rep Thompson:

Please find a recent email that I received from Mr. Darnell Jordan regarding an incident that happened today involving Mr. Jordan and a person on an ATV.  Please review his comments regarding suggestions to amending state law regarding ATV use.  Thank you.

 
Commissioner Bob Janes, District #1
Lee County Board of County Commissioners
Post Office Box 398
Fort Myers, FL 33902-0398
239.533.2224 (Office Number)
239.485.2155 (Fax Number)
Dist1@leegov.com ist1@leegov.com>
 

I hate to say this however next time don't break, just hit him and then call 911 while you are treating his injuries. When the LCSO arrives give a statement and then they will have to do something.

ATV's are out of control. The people who own them ride them on property that does not belong to them and tear up the property and think it is OK who cares it is not mine so I can do whatever I want.

At the Weed and Seed townhall meeting last night, leecontrol was able to attend. I was at work. . . again.

She was approached by one of Sen Aronberg associates. Leecontrol had the opportunity to chat with him about the severe problems we are having with the wild ATVs riders in Lee County and Lehigh Acres. He totally agreed with her and has invited both of us to his office asap to assist in rewriting the bill governing ATV operations.

She accepted the invitation and we plan on getting started right away.

Posted By LeeMedic on 30 Oct 2008 07:02 AM

At the Weed and Seed townhall meeting last night, leecontrol was able to attend. I was at work. . . again.

She was approached by one of Sen Aronberg associates. Leecontrol had the opportunity to chat with him about the severe problems we are having with the wild ATVs riders in Lee County and Lehigh Acres. He totally agreed with her and has invited both of us to his office asap to assist in rewriting the bill governing ATV operations.

She accepted the invitation and we plan on getting started right away.

this is great leemedic

Posted By LeeMedic on 30 Oct 2008 07:02 AM

At the Weed and Seed townhall meeting last night, leecontrol was able to attend. I was at work. . . again.

She was approached by one of Sen Aronberg associates. Leecontrol had the opportunity to chat with him about the severe problems we are having with the wild ATVs riders in Lee County and Lehigh Acres. He totally agreed with her and has invited both of us to his office asap to assist in rewriting the bill governing ATV operations.

She accepted the invitation and we plan on getting started right away.

Fantastic! I bet you guys are excited.

If nothing can be done about the situation as it stands, then it should be law to require people who purchase atv's to get insurance b4 they even take them off the showroom floor, just like auto's, and purchasing used ones off private sellers, b4 the title can be switched over (Is there titles for atv's?) proof of insurance needs to be shown.  if no title is attached to atv's then the state should make it a law to have some sort of registration process, like an offroad permit or something of that sort.  Need to show proof of insurance b4 the permit is issued.  Private property should not be excluded, unless the rider/atv live and stay on the private property.     However, if the atv would ever be taken off that property, even to go riding with a friend on his property, the permit would be required.  and it would not matter if  the atv was being trailered or rode.  Off the private property requires the permit, no exceptions.

IE:    I should not be able to ride my atv from my house to my riding area unless it is 100% my property without having some sort of permit, which proves insurance was purchased for the bike.   If I do own alot of property and wanted to take off out of my garage and goto my own private dirttrack in my backyard, then I can without having a permit.

If private property is owned in 2 different areas by the atv owner, the atv would not need the permit ONLY if being trailered from one to the other.

Thats my own input for you guys going into the office with :-)      I do not want to infringe upon riders rights, but if they are hit or hit someone  because of their negligence then they should have the insurance to cover all costs on all sides.  And atv's should always be outlawed on the paved roads.

Sen. Aronberg is on the NP right now for a live chat Qestion/Answer session. 

I have long talks with the Sheriff's dept on this matter in my home. There is a WEAK law on the books. The law enforcement officers have no teeth, and violations are minimal in cost compared to the hazard created by these machines. Currently our deputies are NOT allowed to persue an ATV. When they attempt to stop them, they just drive off into the woods avoiding being stopped. We are not allowed to execute a 'citizen's arrest" if witnessed.

Why have laws on the books if they cannot be enforced?

Posted By a30yroldfrog on 30 Oct 2008 11:57 AM
send link....

I found a replay link:

http://www.news-press.com/article/2...30030/1075

Posted By WriterMom on 31 Oct 2008 05:28 AM
I witnessed an encounter yesterday in my own neighborhood of 3 men having a talk with an ATV driver who nearly ran over some children who were playing outside. The ATV driver happened to be a sheriff so I was told. Even more suprising was the fact that another person who lives in our neighborhood told me that the only people who own ATV's/drive (a group of 4 sheriff's) them are all sheriff's, and they all joy ride together up and down our streets. I was really suprised if this was really true because you would think Lehigh Sheriff's would do the right things especially when it comes to driving around their own neighborhood's where kids are always playing.

I hope a sheriff's deputy wouldn't do that, but then again I wouldn't put it past some of them to break some of  the very laws they enforce during work hours, while they are off duty.    After all, we are only human, and even a Human LEO will make a stupid decision once in a while.  Example is the Detar case with the tazer.  They were only having fun, but he made a dumb decision by using the company tazer.  If he had his own personal one it probably would have been all ok.  I bet he will never do that again.  Lesson learned, the hard way.

Posted By snookerman111 on 31 Oct 2008 05:58 AM

Posted By WriterMom on 31 Oct 2008 05:28 AM
I witnessed an encounter yesterday in my own neighborhood of 3 men having a talk with an ATV driver who nearly ran over some children who were playing outside. The ATV driver happened to be a sheriff so I was told. Even more suprising was the fact that another person who lives in our neighborhood told me that the only people who own ATV's/drive (a group of 4 sheriff's) them are all sheriff's, and they all joy ride together up and down our streets. I was really suprised if this was really true because you would think Lehigh Sheriff's would do the right things especially when it comes to driving around their own neighborhood's where kids are always playing.

 

I hope a sheriff's deputy wouldn't do that, but then again I wouldn't put it past some of them to break some of  the very laws they enforce during work hours, while they are off duty.    After all, we are only human, and even a Human LEO will make a stupid decision once in a while.  Example is the Detar case with the tazer.  They were only having fun, but he made a dumb decision by using the company tazer.  If he had his own personal one it probably would have been all ok.  I bet he will never do that again.  Lesson learned, the hard way.

 

 

WriterMom, I would not hesitate to send a PM to LCSO Rep. He could pass on this information to the Cpt T. I am sure he would have a talk with all his duputies about this.

WHERE TO RIDE YOUR OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLE

Always inquire about local regulations. Some sites will charge a fee and all will check to see if the vehicle is registered with the state for insurance and ownership purposes.

Federal sites

• Big Cypress National Preserve, Collier County, Box 110, Ochopee, Fl 34141, Telephone (941) 695-2000.

• Apalachicola National Forest, Apalachicola Ranger District, P.O. Box 579, Highway 20, Bristol, Fl 32312, Telephone (850) 643-2282.

• Ocala National Forest, Lake George Ranger District, 17147 East Highway 40, Silver Springs, Fl 34488, Telephone (352) 625-2520.

• Wakulla Ranger District, 57 Taff Drive, Crawfordville Fl 32327, Telephone (850) 926-3561.

• Seminole Ranger District, 40929 State Road 19, Umatilla, Fl 32784, Telephone (352) 669-3153.

• Osceola National Forest, Osceola Ranger District, P.O. Box 70, Olustee, F. 32072, Telephone (386) 752-2577.

State sites

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission allows off highway vehicles to use some lands. Here is where to call:

• Northwest Region, 3911 Highway 2321, Panama City, Fl 32409, Telephone (850) 732-1255.

• Northeast Region, 1239 S.W. 10th Street, Ocala, Fl 34474, Telephone (352) 732-1225.

• North Central Region, Route 7, Box 440, Lake City, Fl 32055, Telephone (386) 758-0525.

• South Region, 8535 Northlake Boulevard, West Palm Beach, Fl 33412, Telephone (561) 625-5122.

• Tate's Hell State Forest, 290 Airport Rd., Carrabelle, Fl 32322, Telephone (850) 697-3734.

• Southwest Region, 3900 Drane Field Road, Lakeland, Fl 33811, Telephone (863) 648-3203. Local Government —

• Dade City Raceway, Pasco County Fairgrounds, Highway 52 West, Dade City, Fla. 33525, Telephone (352) 567-0792, Web site: www.dadecitymx.com, Daytona Beach, Fla. The city allows slow cruise vehicles that have licenses to be used on the beach and some streets. Contact: Dune Buggies of Daytona, Telephone (904) 252-4385, Web site: aytonabug@aol.com">Daytonabug@aol.com

Private sites

• Motocross of Marion County, 14525 N.W. 21st Court, Redick, Fl, Telephone (352) 591-2377, Web site: mxmarioncounty@aol.com.

• North Florida Raceway, 28422 Liberty Trail, Hilliard, Fl 32406, Telephone (904) 268-2289, Web site: www.northfloridamotocross.com.

• Sunshine Moto-X, 41011 8th Ave. N., St. Petersburg, Fl , Telephone (727) 481-8162.

• West Florida Motocross Park, 8824 Ray Helms Rd., Pensacola, Fl , Telephone (850) 623-6038, Web site: wfmp@bellsouth.net.

• Croom Motorcycle Area, Brooksville, Fl. The 2,600-acre site off State Road 50, Exit 61, Telephone Withlacoochee Forestry Center, (352) 754-6777.

• Moroso Motorsports Park, 17046 Beeline Highway, Palm Beach Gardens, Fl 33478, Telephone (561) 622-1400. This Motorcross track will open regularly starting in January.

In the News: ATV Rollover Accidents, ATV safety and related articles

• Restrictive ATV bill tabled
  Albany Democrat Herald, OR - Apr 6, 2007
  This bill will addresses the real problems on public lands, but unfortunately, most of the accidents are on private property...
• ATVs and kids: A little fun?
  Delta Farm Press, NE - Apr 6, 2007
  And every year I see reports of kids killed or severely injured in ATV accidents. Just last week three people including a three-year-old girl died in ...
• Grieving Mother Warns Of ATV Danger After Son's Death
  WLOX, MS - Mar 30, 2007
  Instead, the ATV went airborne, throwing Christopher and his passenger. The ATV landed on top of Christopher. "It was instant," says Boyd of her son's death ...
• Man dies after Sunday ATV accident
  Sequoyah County Times, OK - Mar 29, 2007
  A 20-year-old Arkansas man died Sunday after an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) accident that occurred near Moffett. Justin K. Sisco of Prairie Grove, Ark., ...
• Off-roading fun turns fatal in sand dunes for Newcastle boy
  Seattle Times, WA - Mar 29, 2007
  Spencer Whitman, 10, was pronounced dead Sunday morning following an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) accident at the sand dunes near Beverly, Grant County. ...
• Two seriously injured in Wareham ATV accident
  SouthCoastToday.com, MA - Mar 26, 2007
  "A man and a woman on one ATV were on posted and gated property, so the ATV was trespassing," Ms. Capone said. "They crossed a cranberry dike, ...
• 14-year-old Longview boy killed in ATV crash
  Lufkin Daily News, TX - Mar 20, 2007
  Hicks had been riding behind a friend, who turned around and discovered the accident when he noticed (Hicks) was no longer on the trail, Dickerson said. ...
• ATV Accident Study Good Idea
  Wheeling News Register, WV - Mar 19, 2007
  Last week he announced that he wants public safety officials to provide a report concerning the specific causes of ATV accidents and injuries and deaths ...
• ATV crash kills woman in Kiowa County
  KSWO, OK - Mar 19, 2007
  Investigators are still trying to figure out how the accident happened. They're waiting to notify the victim's next of kin before they release her identity. ...
• 2 children injured in ATV crash
  News-Leader.com, MO - Mar 19, 2007
  Two children suffered moderate injuries in an all-terrain vehicle accident that occurred at 1 pm Sunday on private property near Midvale Road, ...
• ATV bill again before solons
  Orangeburg Times Democrat, SC - Mar 17, 2007
  ... first introduced the bill in the House in January 2004 following the death of 16-year-old Chandler Saylor of Swansea in an ATV accident in 2003. ...
• Lawmakers Hit Brakes on ATVs
  Wheeling Intelligencer, WV - Mar 1, 2007
  We repeat our comment of last week: Shame on legislators for not acting to reduce the toll of deaths and injuries from ATV accidents!
• ATV rollover injures teen
  St. Augustine Record, FL - Feb 27, 2007
  A 17-year-old St. Augustine South boy injured in an ATV accident Sunday remains at Shands Jacksonville in critical condition. ...
• Students have faced a year of tragedy
  Salt Lake Tribune, UT - Feb 26, 2007
  Two other students also died in the past year: Ryan Stewart after an ATV accident and Savannah Staley at home. When someone dies, sometimes people feel ...
• ATV accident claims life of child
  The Times and Democrat, SC - Feb 26, 2007
  Porth said Ayers, of 3756 Homestead Road, Bowman, was riding on the back of the ATV driven by her 13-year-old brother when they got to close to a 13-foot ...
• Aledo student dies in ATV wreck, police say
  Fort Worth Star Telegram, TX - Feb 26, 2007
  ALEDO -- A 17-year-old Aledo High School student died early Sunday and another teenager was injured after being in an all terrain vehicle accident, ...
• ATV safety bill approved
  MU The Parthenon, WV - Feb 22, 2007
  ATV safety awareness Coordinator Mark Holmes said plans are to use the State Police accident form for all ATV wrecks, and the state doesn't compile ...
• Teen Killed In ATV Accident In Rockcastle County
  WTVQ, KY - Feb 22, 2007
  ... of Mount Vernon had been riding an ATV on the roadway when he fell off and struck his head. Kirby was not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident. ...
• Senate to take up ATV bills
  Charleston Gazette, WV - Feb 15, 2007
  Lawmakers devoted several months of study to the issue last year after agreeing that the 2004 ATV safety law had not curbed the number of deaths related to ...
• Children may lose ATV power
  Statesman Journal, OR - Feb 14, 2007
  "Can you push a 600-pound ATV off of your kid? I don't know how supervision could protect your child from a rollover," Greene said. ...
• Children may lose ATV power
  Statesman Journal, OR - Feb 14, 2007
  She said her two children have ridden accident-free for four years. She also said her 8- and 9-year-old sons have outgrown their smaller ATVs, and that they ...
• ATV accident hurts 2
  Kennebec Journal, ME - Feb 11, 2007
  The accident occurred around 4:15 pm on Firlotte Lane. Game Warden Daniel Murray said Kevin Lindman was operating the ATV and Lane Burnham, 11, ...
• Calif. search and rescue team founder dies
  FireRescue1, CA - Feb 9, 2007
  Friday, November 24, 47 year old volunteer Joe Burton was killed in an ATV (all terrain vehicle) accident on Trout Creek Rd. south of Long Barn.
• ATV safety legislation introduced in House
  Daily Mail - Charleston, WV - Feb 8, 2007
  ...incident form that describes all known ATV accidents and orders the Division of Highways to include the forms in its annual traffic accident analysis. ...
• Parsons Sun
  Parsons Sun, KS - Feb 7, 2007
  A Parsons man, left paralyzed after an autumn ATV accident, has had plenty of company since he returned home from a three-month hospital stay in Colorado. ...
• Goodyear man dies in ATV accident
  
  AZ Central.com, AZ - Feb 7, 2007
  A Goodyear man was killed after he apparently lost control of his all-terrain vehicle while riding in the Bloody Basin area of Yavapai County, ...
• Boy, 9, unscathed after fiery ATV crash; adult supervisor faces charges
  
  SalemNews.com, MA - Feb 6, 2007
  ... Middleton, the driver of the Chevrolet Ventura that apparently struck the ATV. He was heading toward North Reading at the time of the accident. ...
• Teen accident victim loses fight for life
  KVIA, TX - Feb 6, 2007
  Sunshine Coast Daily, Australia - Feb 6, 2007 The Ipswich teen and her family were visiting relatives on a property in the Obi Obi ranges when she was thrown from the ATV she was driving and struck a ...
• Man Killed In ATV Accident In Skagit County
  
  Mount Vernon, Wash. - Feb 4, 2007
  MOUNT VERNON, Wash. -- Skagit county medics reported that a man was killed in an all terrain vehicle accident Saturday near Lake Cavanaugh. ...
• Keystone man dies in weekend ATV accident
  Bradford County Telegraph, FL - Feb 1, 2007
  He added that emergency personnel could not be sure, but thought the ATV rider had suffered a broken neck and a possible broken femur. ...
• Resident seriously injured in ATV accident
  The Community Journal, MA - Feb 1, 2007
  Ashburnham resident Harry Clermont, 66, was injured in snowmobiling accident on Sunday, Jan. 28 near Stodge Meadow Pond. Ashburnham and Ashby police ...
• ATV accident injures man with no helmet

  KVIA, TX - Jan 31, 2007
  Emergency crews tell ABC-7 Manuel Ramirez was not wearing a helmet while riding the ATV around 5 o'clock Sunday evening on Snoqualime, just off of Montana. ...
• Williamson Co. Teen Killed In ATV Accident
  WKRN, TN - Jan 29, 2007
  According to investigators, he was thrown from the vehicle after he lost control and hit a ditch. The teen was wearing a helmet, but ATV's are not legally ...
• Son of country songwriter Steele dies in ATV accident
  The Tennessean, TN - Jan 29, 2007
  Alex Levasseur of Franklin was driving south on Lavender Road in Franklin around 3 pm Sunday when he lost control of a 2006 Honda TRX500FA ATV while trying ...
• Man Seriously Injured In ATV Accident
  
  KFOXtv.com,TX - Jan 28, 2007
  January 28, 2007 -- At around 5 pm Sunday afternoon in an off-roading area in Montana Vista, a man flipped his ATV. The El Paso County Sheriff's Office said ...
• 13-year-old Williamson County teen killed in ATV accident
  
  The Tennessean, TN - Jan 28, 2007
  Lavassdur was thrown from the vehicle as the ATV careened into a ditch. He was flown by emergency helicopter to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, ...
• ATV accident leaves Lucedale woman dead
  
  Hattiesburg American, MS - Jan 28, 2007
  Howell and Roy D. Dean Jr., 20, also of Lucedale, were riding an ATV along the road's edge when another ATV hit them from behind. Howell was thrown into the ...
• 01-19-07: Deadly Inaction on ATV Safety
  Many say actions should be taken to prevent the increase of ATV accidents in young children, starting with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission; which has passed up multiple opportunities over the past 20 years. ATV safety such as adding seatbelts, age restriction for ATV riders and rollover bars added to ATVs should be addressed.
• 01-19-07: Woman killed in Lehigh ATV accident
  A Connecticut woman was killed when the quad ATV she was operating flipped over. Kristen Lee Matiglia lost control of the Polaris quad and fell off the vehicle when the ATV overturned and struck her.
• 01-19-07: Our view: Teen, EMS veteran are role models
  Seventeen-year-old Tyler Myers is credited with saving a life when he came upon the scene of an ATV accident. Myers spotted a dog standing beside an overturned all-terrain vehicle where thirteen-year-old Curtis Baugh was trapped.
• 01-08-07: Toddler killed in ATV rollover
  An ATV accident investigation is underway after an ATV overturned, killing a boy. The ATVs front wheels turned after the mother stopped the vehicle using the remote cut-off switch, causing the quad rollover.
• 01-06-07: Neenah man injured in ATV accident
  Four-wheeler rolled over and landed on top of a man, temporarily knocking him unconscious. The Wisconsin man lost control of the ATV in the mud causing the ATV rollover.
• 01-04-07: ATV Rollover Injures One
  Man was injured after an ATV rollover. The borrowed Suzuki ATV tipped over on top of him while he was riding up an embankment.  Name of man and extent of injury was not yet released.
• 12-31-07: One Dead In Indiana County ATV Accident
  37-year-old Robert Lenhart of Buffington Township died after authorities say his ATV overturned. Lenhart attempted to climb an embankment with his ATV when the quad rolled over
• 11-20-06: 52 ATV deaths and still counting
  ATV deaths are up from 40 in 2005 to 52 currently. Hoping to enforce ATV safety and see a decline in ATV rollovers, fatality crashes and injuries, the State Police reform package will be a topic of conversation in early 2007.
• 11-15-06: Family: Victim saved kids' lives
  54 year old Dana Pope died after his Polaris ATV overturned pinning him underneath it. Pope took many quad safety precautions before setting out with his two grandchildern. The reason for this rollover crash is not known.
• 10-27-06: Woman dies in ATV rollover accident
  50 year old Peggy Robinson was killed Wednesday in an ATV rollover accident in Star Valley. Payson Police Department Commander Don Engler reported she may have accelerated to free the ATV from rocks when the front end lifted and the quad rolled over on top of her.
• 10-27-06: Man killed in ATV rollover in Box Elder
  Sheriff's Chief Deputy Lynn Yates reported an 18 year old man was killed after his ATV overturned, landing on top of him. The cause of the ATV rollover accident is unknown at this time.
• 10-13-06: Hunter Killed In ATV Rollover In Duchesne County
  31-year-old Dirk Robert Gilmore was found dead after an ATV rollover accident.  Gilmore was driving on uneven road when his ATV rolled over; he was pinned under the machine.
• 08-03-06: Hazards Associated with All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) in the Workplace
  All-terrain vehicles are used in workplaces such as law enforcement, farming, construction, oil production and more. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) published a report in the fall of 2005 indicating that ATV related fatalities moved from 29 in 1982 to 470 in 2004.

Posted By LeeMedic on 31 Oct 2008 09:16 AM

WHERE TO RIDE YOUR OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLE

Always inquire about local regulations. Some sites will charge a fee and all will check to see if the vehicle is registered with the state for insurance and ownership purposes.

Federal sites

• Big Cypress National Preserve, Collier County, Box 110, Ochopee, Fl 34141, Telephone (941) 695-2000.

• Apalachicola National Forest, Apalachicola Ranger District, P.O. Box 579, Highway 20, Bristol, Fl 32312, Telephone (850) 643-2282.

• Ocala National Forest, Lake George Ranger District, 17147 East Highway 40, Silver Springs, Fl 34488, Telephone (352) 625-2520.

• Wakulla Ranger District, 57 Taff Drive, Crawfordville Fl 32327, Telephone (850) 926-3561.

• Seminole Ranger District, 40929 State Road 19, Umatilla, Fl 32784, Telephone (352) 669-3153.

• Osceola National Forest, Osceola Ranger District, P.O. Box 70, Olustee, F. 32072, Telephone (386) 752-2577.

State sites

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission allows off highway vehicles to use some lands. Here is where to call:

• Northwest Region, 3911 Highway 2321, Panama City, Fl 32409, Telephone (850) 732-1255.

• Northeast Region, 1239 S.W. 10th Street, Ocala, Fl 34474, Telephone (352) 732-1225.

• North Central Region, Route 7, Box 440, Lake City, Fl 32055, Telephone (386) 758-0525.

• South Region, 8535 Northlake Boulevard, West Palm Beach, Fl 33412, Telephone (561) 625-5122.

• Tate's Hell State Forest, 290 Airport Rd., Carrabelle, Fl 32322, Telephone (850) 697-3734.

• Southwest Region, 3900 Drane Field Road, Lakeland, Fl 33811, Telephone (863) 648-3203. Local Government —

• Dade City Raceway, Pasco County Fairgrounds, Highway 52 West, Dade City, Fla. 33525, Telephone (352) 567-0792, Web site: www.dadecitymx.com, Daytona Beach, Fla. The city allows slow cruise vehicles that have licenses to be used on the beach and some streets. Contact: Dune Buggies of Daytona, Telephone (904) 252-4385, Web site: aytonabug@aol.com">Daytonabug@aol.com

Private sites

• Motocross of Marion County, 14525 N.W. 21st Court, Redick, Fl, Telephone (352) 591-2377, Web site: mxmarioncounty@aol.com.

• North Florida Raceway, 28422 Liberty Trail, Hilliard, Fl 32406, Telephone (904) 268-2289, Web site: www.northfloridamotocross.com.

• Sunshine Moto-X, 41011 8th Ave. N., St. Petersburg, Fl , Telephone (727) 481-8162.

• West Florida Motocross Park, 8824 Ray Helms Rd., Pensacola, Fl , Telephone (850) 623-6038, Web site: wfmp@bellsouth.net.

• Croom Motorcycle Area, Brooksville, Fl. The 2,600-acre site off State Road 50, Exit 61, Telephone Withlacoochee Forestry Center, (352) 754-6777.

• Moroso Motorsports Park, 17046 Beeline Highway, Palm Beach Gardens, Fl 33478, Telephone (561) 622-1400. This Motorcross track will open regularly starting in January.

I can speak first hand for Big Cypress on the Federal List.  They allow swamp buggies and atv's.  NO 3 wheel atv's.  They have an inspection process, located at the oasis visitor center, half way across the old alley (U.S.41)which is pretty basic.  Tire size and width will be looked at.  they have a limit for small and large tires and the width.  Needs to have headlights and at least 1 tail light.  No leaking fluids of any kind.  Brakes are a plus but not an issue for inspection. (Most buggies have no brakes). 

All in all Big cypress is ok for swamp buggies but is too wet for most atv's.  Unless they have a submarine mode :-)