Off-road rules presented: Draft ordinance may address concerns about ATVs

Written by Argus Leader

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Clinton Larson

The Lincoln County Commission got a look at what could be its process for dealing with off-road vehicle concerns.

Deputy States Attorney Mike Nadolski presented a draft ordinance for prohibiting off-road vehicles at the board’s regular meeting on Oct 14. The board asked Nadolski to draft an ordinance after a rural Harrisburg resident, Willis Hanna, expressed concerns about off-road vehicles jumping his driveway.

Nadolski based the ordinance on a similar one in Pennington County.

The ordinance itself doesn’t prohibit the use of the vehicles, but instead creates an official process for banning their use on sections of county-controlled roads and ditches.

That process would begin when residents come to the county to ask that off-road vehicles be banned from a section of road. A public hearing would then be held to receive input on the ban.

“The mechanism (for the ordinance) would be a citizens’ group coming forward,” Nadolski said.
If the county proceeded to ban, signs would be put up on the road.

Commissioner Jim Schmidt said while he hasn’t heard any off-road vehicle complaints himself, an ordinance would show the county could deal seriously with issues regarding the vehicles.
“It seems like a good process,” said Schmidt.

Commissioner Burdell Coplan said if a landowner was having concerns over ditch visibility from their driveway, the landowner’s responsibilities is to clear trees or bushes to improve visibility.

Source: http://www.thechampiononline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081022/NEWS/81021001/1001

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Community Voices

“Once they chased our cow into a deep arroyo where it fell and broke its neck. I don't understand how anyone could think chasing livestock is fun.” As a result of the growing conflicts with off-roaders, the Gonzales family stopped their cattle ranching. It doesn't matter whether it is a plate or decal, what is important is that the identification is visible. The police could have tracked down the illegal riders if we had been able to photograph the IDs on their vehicles. I think that would have made them think twice before breaking the law.”

- Eleanor Gonzales, private property owner in Santé Fe County, NM