Dirt bikers hope to return to landfill area

Julie Sutor

SUMMIT COUNTY — Dirt bikers and ATV users are busy coming up with a plan they hope will re-open the Summit County Landfill property to motorized use.

The Board of County Commissioners decided in August to close the area to off-road vehicles as of Jan. 1. The commissioners enacted the ban in response to noise complaints from nearby residents and extensive damage to wetlands in the area. On a summer visit to the landfill property, the commissioners saw scores of unauthorized trails that destroyed sagebrush and other vegetation.

In response, the motorized vehicle community has been working to come up with a management plan for the area that would allow motorized use in a manner that reduces noise and addresses environmental concerns. Meetings have included representatives from Summit County Off-Road Riders (SCORR), the Town of Dillon, Summit County government, the Summerwood neighborhood, Summit Cove, Corinthian Hills and Keystone.

“There were two really opposed factions here,” said John Crone, Summit Cove resident and Snake River Planning Commission member. “In the last two meetings, we've seen real work toward a consensus solution. SCORR make the point that they are a significant part of this community, and they need a place to ride.”

The vision is for a much more organized and regulated approach to motorized use near the landfill. The yet-to-be-completed management plan includes set operating hours, plans for revegetation, extensive signage, closure of existing trails, user fees, protection of natural resources and relocation of trails to minimize noise.

“The draft of the plan seems to be OK so far,” said Thad Noll, assistant county manager. “The idea is to have a couple of well-identified loop trails rather than the mish-mash there now.”

The proposed trails would be located behind a ridge in an effort to reduce noise impacts. One trail would be for more experienced riders, and another would be for beginners traveling at slower speeds.

“We're working really hard to incorporate everybody's views and to get a real compromise,” said Mary Patterson, a SCORR member who has been coordinating the plan's creation. “I'm horrified that members of the motor sports community were riding on wetlands, but there wasn't signage, and they didn't know. All of that is going to be closed, and everyone is going to work really hard to make sure the posted park rules are followed.”

Patterson said her group will support the Summit County Sheriff's Office in issuing citations to any violators of the proposed park regulations.

Once the plan is complete, the group will present it to the county commissioners, who will then consider whether to reopen the area under the proposed guidelines.

“We think we're going to build something to be really proud of,” Patterson said.

Anyone who would like to provide input for the motorized recreation plan can contact Patterson at (970) 453-9233.

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Source: http://www.summitdaily.com/article/20100123/NEWS/100129923/1078&ParentProfile=1055

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