Methow Valley News

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North Central ATV club

Forest Service: environmental review necessary before ATVs can use forest roads again

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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

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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 […]

Questions about ATV routes, access remain unresolved

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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

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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

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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 […]