By Marcy Stamper The Methow Valley Citizens’ Council (MVCC) and Conservation Northwest have filed a motion against Okanogan County asking the court to declare two county ordinances that opened hundreds of miles of roads to all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) invalid because the county did not determine if they were safe or suitable for ATVs. The legal […]
ORV
ATV lawsuit: County cites commissioners’ right to make local laws
By Marcy Stamper
By opening county roads to off-road vehicles (ORVs), the Okanogan County commissioners are exercising their constitutional right to make and enforce local laws, according to legal documents filed Sept. 3 in response to a lawsuit brought against the county by two environmental organizations.
Culture of ATVs and Methow at issue in state law, county lawsuit
By Marcy Stamper
Months before two environmental organizations filed suit against the Okanogan County commissioners for opening hundreds more miles of roads to ATVs around the county, there were at least two efforts to exempt the Methow Valley from a new state law that has expanded access for the vehicles across Washington.
County’s ATV ordinances face legal challenge
By Don Nelson
The Methow Valley Citizens Council and Conservation Northwest have joined forces to file a lawsuit challenging recent actions by the Okanogan County commissioners to allow all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) on most county roads.
County opens hundreds of miles of roads to ATVs
By MARCY STAMPER and ANN McCREARY In two hearings in five days, the Okanogan County commissioners opened hundreds of miles of roads around the county to all-terrain vehicles (ATVs). The actions were in response to a new state law regulating ATVs that took effect July 28. For some people who spoke at the packed […]
County commissioners approve ATVs on most county roads in the Methow Valley
Opponents question legality of the new ordinance By Ann McCreary and Marcy Stamper Okanogan County Commissioners approved a request to open about 300 miles of roads – including virtually all county roads in the Methow Valley – to all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), despite the threat of lawsuits from some citizens who said the commissioners lack […]
State ATV bill wins last-minute approval; awaits gov’s signature
File photo by Sue Misao BY MARCY STAMPER A bill designed to expand opportunities for people to ride off-road vehicles by clarifying rules about opening roads to their use and requiring registration tags and safety features such as headlights and mirrors passed the state House and Senate by wide margins on Saturday (June 29). […]
