As all-terrain vehicle (ATV) enthusiasts seek more places to ride, and conservation organizations try to protect fragile lands, the groups continue to cut each other off at the pass. The latest volleys are over county roads in the Methow Valley and proposed ATV routes in the national forest. The North Central ATV Club has asked the Okanogan County commissioners to reduce the …
ATVs
Forest Service will open some roads to ATVs
Agency will monitor use and resource damage during trial period By Marcy Stamper ATV riders will be able to ride on select U.S. Forest Service roads, now that the agency has worked with rider and environmental groups to identify suitable routes in all seven ranger districts in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. The roads will open […]
State’s attorney general interprets complex ATV law
The state law passed in 2013 expanding opportunities for riding certain types of all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) on certain roads in the state has proven so confusing that the Okanogan County commissioners, the Winthrop Marshal’s Office and the U.S. Forest Service have all issued permission for people to ride on some roads …
Environmental groups appeal ATV road access to next level
By Marcy Stamper
Claiming that the Okanogan County commissioners did not consider the environmental impacts of illegal ATV riding nor the safety issues that could arise when ATVs share roads with other vehicles, two environmental organizations have appealed the matter to the …
Okanogan Superior Court judge upholds ATV use on county roads
By Marcy Stamper
Assertions that Okanogan County’s approach to all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) could damage sensitive environmental areas and lead to violations of the law are merely speculative, Okanogan County Superior Court Judge Henry Rawson has ruled.
Forest Service travel plan eliminates off-road uses
By Marcy Stamper
After spending almost a decade examining roads in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, forest managers and planners have decided not to change the type of motorized access allowed on official roads and vehicle trails, but they are proposing …
Case raises questions about ATV-related issues in county
By Marcy Stamper
When it increased opportunities for all-terrain vehicle (ATV) riders — one of the intents of a state law passed in 2013 — did the county violate other parts of the law by increasing confusion about where people can ride and heightening the potential that sensitive environmental areas would be damaged? Was the county required to evaluate these issues before opening 421 miles of county roads to …
Hearing on ATV lawsuit rescheduled for November
The hearing on the lawsuit filed by the Methow Valley Citizens’ Council (MVCC) and Conservation Northwest challenging the adequacy of Okanogan County’s analysis of the environmental impacts of allowing all-terrain vehicles on county roads has been rescheduled. The case will be heard by Okanogan County Superior Court Judge Henry Rawson on Nov. 17 at 3:30 […]
Winthrop Town Council remains undecided on allowing ATVs
By Don Nelson
The Winthrop Town Council, split 2-2 on the question of whether to allow all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) on town streets, decided at its meeting last week to hold off a final vote until the fifth council member could be present. But they shortly learned that long-time council member and former mayor Mort Banasky, who was not at last week’s meeting, had earlier passed away in her home. Mayor Sue Langdalen, …
News briefs: July 20, 2014
This week: ATVs not allowed in Winthrop says town’s attorney, Winthrop Town Hall basement flooded by rain, Fire district levy on November ballot, and Pearrygin re-opens after fire though Alta Lake is still closed.
