Direct News from Austin

I just received a phone call from Billy (Rubi Red)   The Parks and Wild life have has approved the Grants for the land for the useage of the offroad park in Ozona.  He was not sure of the time frame of when of when it will be open and when the trails usage will begin.  But the letter and comments to TMTC were very much Thanked.      Once new information is received it will be updated as soon as possible.

ORIGINAL: Tonlocos Girl I just received a phone call from Billy (Rubi Red) The Parks and Wild life have has approved the Grants for the land for the useage of the offroad park in Ozona.  He was not sure of the time frame of when of when it will be open and when the trails usage will begin.  But the letter and comments to TMTC were very much Thanked.    Once new information is received it will be updated as soon as possible.

  So this means we are DEFINATELY going to get the land there in Ozona AND will be able to wheel there?

Yes Pat, we got the land and yes we can wheel there once they have opened it up.

go here.http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/business/feedback/meetings/2006/0126/agenda/item_5/ might be more info on it.

at the bottom it states they receved 1300 letter in suport of the project.

while your there goe to item 6 it states some chnges that will affect those with trailer queens.

That's great news for the 4x4ing world in Texas. That country is real close, within 30 miles or so, of the deer lease, redbeard and me were on. Fun to drive in.

Well yes it is Chris, one reason I got off that deer lease, to far to drive every weekend. Put a lot of miles on my old green ford. About 15.000 a year just going to the deer lease 6 months out of the year. I'll let em get it set up and running, then make a trip down to see what it looks like. This one will be more for the western 4x4ing people.

Great news!

ORIGINAL: Tonlocos Girl Yes Pat, we got the land and yes we can wheel there once they have opened it up.

Thank you sweetness   Now I'll say it...............WOOOOHOOOOHOOOO!!!!!

After reading thru the page that Ken posted. I shure wouldn't want to give the neighbors a reason to get mad. Hopefully they will see that we aren't the heckraisin kids they think we are.

I'm not a Texican, but I am a TMTC member and support what you fine Texas folks are doing for our sport. I don't exactly know where this property is. Tell it to me like I'm a second grader so I can understand where to look on the map I picked up at the tourist stop at the border.

THAT IS GREAT NEWS!!!!

Hmm.  I re-read the text from the link that Ken posted, and this kind of raises a concern:   "In the November 2005 meeting, the Commission delayed consideration of this request and instructed the staff to further consider concerns raised by landowners neighboring the site. Certified letters were mailed to these landowners inviting them to express their concerns and offering to meet with them. On December 14, 2005, staff met with representatives of all surrounding property owners with the exception of one. Those attending the meeting indicated that they were all firmly opposed to the TMTC proposal, and stated that there were no conditions under which the would support the project."   I hope the landowners don't sue causing a lengthy delay in the opening of the park.

the picture they have in there minds is of a bunch of drunk rednecks and dumb kids on dirt bikes. Once tmtc gets it going and they see how much effort we put in to nabour consouns and at how the park are run things will settle down im sure.

Chris, the oil wells have been out in Ozona for about 80 years. It's more, there is one other business, besides cattle and sheep, ti has become real big in the last 10 to 15 years, it's called Deer Hunting. Lots of people, lots of 4x4's, they don't want to scare the deer. It's real big business, cash in most cases, no taxes paid. so you can think they will fight to keep up out and keep things quite.We paid 25,000 cash for the ranch we leased, the rancher sent 8,000 to the owner, he kept the rest.  Too much money in it.

It's all about money, if the electrical generators, windmills come to that part of Texas, you bet they would jump on it, why, money. They don't really care about anything but money. You got some really rich people in Ozona, just don't change anything, that doesn't make them any money, and all is good.

I'm going to have to agree with the above comment.  Most ranchers are like everybody else.  We all want money so we can do the things we want to do, and Deer Hunting is a huge income for those people.  Lots of people and lots of noise will keep most large game out of the newly acquired property and away from the borders of the adjacent properties.  Although, after a while the deer might realize they aren't getting killed on the new land, so they may use it as a sanctuary of sorts.  I suppose we'll just have to wait to see what happens.   It's beautiful semi-mountainous arid land around Ozona, and I hope to be able to go wheeling there from time to time.  It looks to be about 2-3 hours from my house.  This is a good thing happening.

ORIGINAL: Gordon Chris, the oil wells have been out in Ozona for about 80 years. It's more, there is one other business, besides cattle and sheep, ti has become real big in the last 10 to 15 years, it's called Deer Hunting. Lots of people, lots of 4x4's, they don't want to scare the deer. It's real big business, cash in most cases, no taxes paid. so you can think they will fight to keep up out and keep things quite.We paid 25,000 cash for the ranch we leased, the rancher sent 8,000 to the owner, he kept the rest.  Too much money in it.

  Wow, I knew TX was one of the most expensive states to hunt because of the private lands and deer lease culture - but I didn't know it was that expensive!!  I used to hunt for free on the many state-owned wildlife management areas in Mississippi and Florida, most of which were less than an hour's drive from home.   Anyway, from Gordon's explanation, I can now see why the neighboring landowners are opposed to the ORV park.  With that much money being charged, it wouldn't surprise me if they sue the state claiming the decision to approve the grant is flawed.  Hopefully that won't happen, though.

There was more than 1300 letters by the time everything was said and done.  Thanks to all that help support this effort by TMTC.   Ken - the link you posted is the letter that was handed out prior to the meeting was started.  With this, there was still major discussion, but the commissioners did approve to go forward with the grant.    There are still a few more items that have to be done, but nothing that can't happen.   Reason I am excited about this.  TPWD is seeing that TMTC is able to manage BMRA and is allowing them to get another park.  This means, that the 3rd and 4th park should be easier to get.  Hopefully some of the next parks might be closer to DFW than Ozona.  But, don't let the drive keep anyone from helping with the park in Ozona or going to wheel down there.  It is a beautiful piece of land that we all will love - OHV, ATV or motorcycle users.   Let's wheel.