Okanogan County’s systematic process to assess roads for use by all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) got high marks from members of the local ATV rider club — and from a conservation group that filed the successful lawsuit which led…
North Central ATV club
Forest Service: environmental review necessary before ATVs can use forest roads again
By Marcy Stamper The Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest has closed six routes to wheeled all-terrain vehicles (WATVs) and will only consider reopening them after additional analysis under the National Environmental Policy Act, according to a Sept. 28 announcement from their staff officer. Managers with the Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest opened 350 miles of roads on a trial […]
County hears wide support for lowering speed limits on four Methow Valley roads
ATV group seeks 35-mph zones to increase access By Marcy Stamper In terms of sheer numbers, there appears to be broad support for a proposal by a local all-terrain vehicle (ATV) group to lower speed limits on four Methow Valley roads. Okanogan County received petitions with about 150 signatures supporting the change, and nine of […]
County considers proposal to lower speed limits on several Methow Valley roads
Speed limits on four roads near Twisp and Winthrop could be lowered if the Okanogan County commissioners approve two requests from a local all-terrain vehicle (ATV) rider group. The North Central ATV Club has asked the Okanogan County commissioners to reduce the speed limit to 35 miles per hour (mph) on …
Questions about ATV routes, access remain unresolved
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 …
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 […]
Commissioners will hear input on increased ATV access
The Okanogan County planning director has determined that opening an additional 597 miles of roads throughout the county to ATVs (all-terrain vehicles) would have no environmental impact. The final decision under the State Environmental Policy Act was made following input to the county on the proposal received from 40 individuals, agencies and organizations. The county […]
Input on county ATV proposal mostly favorable
By Marcy Stamper
Okanogan County received 40 comments on its proposal to open 597 additional miles of county roads to all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and on the county planning director’s analysis of the potential …