North Florida Trail Members and friends of the trail,

The Florida National Scenic Trail (FNST) is in danger of becoming a very different outdoor experience.  On Sept. 5th the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) posted its vision of the future route of the FNST. In short, the USFS vision is to re-define the FNST as a single route trail from Big Cypress National Preserve (BCNP) to Ft. Pickens.  This would require the removal of several hundred miles from FNST protection.  It would remove the FNST status for Our section between Etoniah State Forest, Gold Head State park, Camp Blanding and the Keystone Air Park and move it out of the woods and onto a bicycle path paralleling State Road 100. Our Chapter has been maintaining trail in Gold Head SP since the early  70s.

The USFS markets this vision as cost cutting (less FNST to fund).  FTA sees this vision as short sighted and catastrophic for trail users and trail maintainers.

A second concern with the USFS vision is an incremental change for the FNST from its historic use as Pedestrian / Hiker to other non-motorized uses (bicycles and equestrian).  FTA supports trails for these user groups but feels that the carrying capacity of the FNST treadway is not there for such uses.  The current FNST was designed as a Pedestrian / Hiker pathway and to elevate it to bicycles or equestrian capacity would be cost prohibitive.  What is feared is that the USFS will accomplish this by incrementally moving the route to limited access roads or multi-use pathways.

The FTA vision of the FNST is a narrow woodlands pathway where users can experience nature and solitude.  FTA is asking you to get involved by providing your comments on these issues to the USFS.

The USFS has posted their vision map on the official Florida National Scenic Trail website, the official route proposal of the FNST and requests that comments be made at one of the open house sessions or e-mail directly to them. The official website is: http://www.fs.usda.gov/fnst .

We also ask that you provide input to the Florida Office of Greenways and Trails (OGT) on their proposals.  The OGT website is: http://www.dep.state.fl.us/gwt/FGTS_Plan/default.htm

This is what I sent them:

Statement to USFS FNST Routing Comment Maps

As a member of the North Florida Trail Blazers Chapter of the Florida Trail Association I oppose moving our section of the FNST to a multi-use pathway paralleling SR100 in the Palatka – Theresa corridor (FNST Comment Map 7) thus closing one of the oldest and most scenic sections of the FNST through Etoniah State Forest, Gold Head State Park, Camp Blanding and the Keystone Airpark. This would also take the trail off of a section of what’s left of the historic Bellamy Road, Florida’s first federal highway.

• That the Florida National Scenic Trail (FNST) and trails in the Florida Trail System be developed and maintained as primitive footpaths, managed for a maximal natural hiking experience;

• OpposeThat re-alignment of the FNST onto multi-use pathways or roads when woodlands routing has already been certified as FNST.

• That the long-term goal of completing the FNST be in accordance with the FNST Comprehensive Plan (1986) and the adopted Preferred Routing Study which allows for the current routing plan and trail alignment, including the separate corridors.

In addition, I supports and acknowledge: That the FNST route be retained in its current woodland alignment. (FNST Comment Maps 2 – 5).

• That the FNST Comprehensive Plan (1986) recognizes the FNST as a trail with dual routing in Central Florida and for Lake Okeechobee (FNST Comment Maps 5 and 6).

• Supports the routing of the FNST in Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa and Walton Counties as shown on FNST Comment Maps 9 and 10.

• Supports the proposed routing in woodlands environments in the FNST gap segments (FNST Comment Maps 9 and 10);

• Recognizes and accepts that land managers have final authority on use of the FNST segments on their lands and that land managers, in consultation with the local FTA chapter, may allow for some non- motorized multi-use;

• Will continue to work closely with our local land managers to maximize the promotion and use of the FNST and related trails as well as to provide priority and timely maintenance and trail development to the FNST.

I support multi-use trails; But I ask that the FNST not be altered in an attempt to become all things for all potential user groups. That would greatly diminish the optimal experience for all.