[drshame]

I was out at Big Cypress ORV Office today...they have a posting the next seasonal closing will be June 3rd if I remembered it right.
It's closed till sometime in Mid-August.
They say they will have the new trail maps available then. I don't think trail access is changing any, just them finally have new maps.
Did the Loop run, uneventfull, dry and hot. Very little wildlife to be seen, even Gators were in short supply.
I'm happy to see some potholes starting to develop again. Maybe in a few years, it'll be back to the way it should be.
Also...there is some MAJOR construction going on for what looks like a new rest/picnic area about 4-5 miles EAST of Gatorhook. Wonder if it'll feature concrete tent pads like some other camping areas off The Loop.
Or is it the new McDonalds/ Rest Stop/Toll Plaza going up since The Loop was repaved?
Monroe station looks worse than ever, but there a huge area leveling/filling-in going on in the parking area.

[drshame]

Tuesday, May 28, 2013 6:22 PM
Big Cypress Press Release
2013 60-day Recreational ORV Closure
Beginning at 12:01 a.m. Monday, June 3 the annual 60-day recreational ORV closure for all units of Big Cypress National Preserve that allow for wheeled ORV access will begin. The closure will be lifted on Friday, August 2 when recreational access will resume.
The Recreational Off-Road Vehicle Management Plan calls for a 60-day seasonal closure to allow a period free from resource pressures related to ORV use. The ORV closure within Big Cypress National Preserve was first instituted in 2002.
Landowners, and their guests, that hold special use permits to access private properties within the Preserve will retain continued access to property along approved routes.
Once the 60 day closure period is lifted on August 2, ORV trails will re-open with the exception of approximately 62 miles of secondary trails within the Turner River and Corn Dance Units of the Preserve. All secondary trails that remain closed after the 60 day closure period expires, will be subject to environmental review within the framework of the National Environmental Policy Act. Preserve Superintendent, Pedro Ramos, said "This closure is necessary in order to engage in careful environmental review of the impacts of these trails." He added "Re-opening of any of these trails will be subject to the outcomes of the environmental review, which will include the benefits of civic engagement and public input.
Updated maps of the designated trails within each unit of the Preserve may be found at - http://www.nps.gov/b...lementation.htm
The recreational closure for airboat use within Zone 4 of the Stairsteps Unit was implemented from 4/8/13 through 6/6/13. Since water levels have rebounded within Zone 4 recreational airboat access into the area will resume on 6/7. Zone 4 of the Stairsteps Unit allows for access via airboats only. The Bear Island, Turner River and Corn Dance Units, and Zones 2 and 3 of the Stairsteps Unit provide for access by specified, wheeled ORVs. The Preserve allows for ORV travel along designated trails only.

--
Bob DeGross
Big Cypress National Preserve
Chief of Interpretation and Public Affairs

33100 Tamiami Trail East
Ochopee, FL 34141
239-695-1107 office; 239-293-3643 cell
The National Park Service cares for special places saved by the American people so that all may experience our heritage.
Experience Your America!

[drshame]

Re-Opens soon!

Any plans for an early/mid August Trip???