We think: Nonsensical rules close a Florida gem indefinitely

sounds like the bunny huggers are getting what I deal with in manatee zones, stupid rules that make no sense. I hope you never get back on that and that you wait untill the trees rot.

Makes sense, yes. If you are not focused on the human pleasure and consider the destructive effect of noise on wildlife unused to it.

Including, one supposes, a few not wild humans who prefer the quiet.

There is a purpose for wilderness, and our state has far too little wilderness left. If it takes federal mandates to let us protect what wilderness we have left, so be it. Juniper Prairie Wilderness is one of few federally-designated wilderness areas in Florida. Expert trained sawyers with a crosscut saw can more quickly and cheaply remove those blowdowns without any obnoxious gas-and-fume sputtering chainsaw shattering the wilderness experience. They did it after the hurricanes of 2004 and 2005 and will no doubt be out there doing it again soon.

Rather than assume that "federal rules run amok" in this case, you should do your homework on the Wilderness Act, Orlando Sentinel (http://www.wilderness.org/OurIssues/Wildernes... ), and understand that protection of our dwindling Florida resources IS important and why these protections are in place. Shame on you.

Anytime rules are made without a mechanism to deal with complexity and the exceptions to the rule that inevitably arise, stupidity and often destruction arise. Zero tolerance is almost always a manifestation of zero intelligence.

What's so unnatural about chainsaws and gasoline? And since chainsaws and gasoline clearly belong in a wilderness preserve, we should also allow motorboats. All these rules are just stupid. In fact, we should be paying people to use motorboats WITH chainsaws. Nothing unnatural about that.

I grew up in Orlando and all my life had heard about what a wonderful canoe trip the Juniper River offered. Fianlly, last year I took my Boy Scout Troop up for a run. The river was so clogged with downed trees that it was almost impossible to pass. At one point, we literally had to lay down in our canoes to get under a downed tree. Also, the submerged trees pose a hazzard to keeping your canoe upright (yes, my canoe was swamped when we hit a submerged tree no one could see). When we asked the rangers why they didn't clear out the river, we were told it was because of the wilderness area designation and they weren't allowed to remove the trees. Being a native Orlandoan, I'll be the first to say we need to protect what little wilderness area we have left, but what good is it if it can't be used?

We make our own nature. Don't let these ecofascists rule. Give us a chance to mutate and evolve. Soon overpopulation of nonindigenous species will be the norm. Learn to live with it! I'm all for the real Jurassiac Park! How about some dino's in the Ocala nat park!!!

There are very few wilderness areas left, in Florida. I am glad that the Juniper Prairie Wilderness is one of these places. I am glad the Forest Service has this policy.

Quit yer biotchin, grab a hand saw and volunteer to help clear the waterway.

Complete A-holes. Break out the chain saws and get the job done. What a bunch of buffoons. Sounds like Democrats to me.

Canoer wrote:

I grew up in Orlando and all my life had heard about what a wonderful canoe trip the Juniper River offered. Fianlly, last year I took my Boy Scout Troop up for a run. The river was so clogged with downed trees that it was almost impossible to pass. At one point, we literally had to lay down in our canoes to get under a downed tree. Also, the submerged trees pose a hazzard to keeping your canoe upright (yes, my canoe was swamped when we hit a submerged tree no one could see). When we asked the rangers why they didn't clear out the river, we were told it was because of the wilderness area designation and they weren't allowed to remove the trees. Being a native Orlandoan, I'll be the first to say we need to protect what little wilderness area we have left, but what good is it if it can't be used?

Our Boy Scout troup goes on lots of canoe trips, and we like the challenge of getting through a challenging area - lay down to get under trees or port the canoe over downed trees. It's a lot of fun and adds to the adventure.

"There is a purpose for wilderness, and our state has far too little wilderness left. "

"There are very few wilderness areas left, in Florida."

67% of Brevard County is off limits to building anything. Where are you talking about?????

Hey at least Congress stopped Bush from selling parts of the National forest to offset tax relief for his wealthy friends.

Reminds me of public school administrators who rely solely on the written rule and have no discretion to think.

Im the one that goes down the river and cuts the stuff by hand some times its small trees and a bow saw will cut them I am also the last one to go down after fay the river was up a few feet and a lot of trees that need a buck saw were in the way it is not easy to cut these trees out of a canoe but I havnt give up I just need the Right Tools and Help I was told its on the way waiting to see what other storms might hit .If youve rented a canoe there you know me.