The Okanogan County Commissioners are currently considering the North Central ATV Club proposal to open almost 50 miles of county roads in the Methow Valley to wheeled all-terrain vehicles (WATVs). A state law passed in 2013 allows the county to open roads with a speed limit of 35 miles per hour or lower to WATVs. However, an environmental analysis must be completed before any routes are approved.

A Bit of History: Roads have been Opened to WATVs Before

After a Washington State law in 2013 allowed counties to open roads to “street legal” WATVs, Okanogan County commissioners responded with an ordinance that opened all 600 miles of county roads with speed limits 35 m.p.h. and under to WATVs without an environmental analysis. MVCC and Conservation Northwest challenged the county’s ordinance because it did not address a thorough analysis of the impacts of WATVs on soils, slopes, water, animals, plants, air and noise pollution as required by the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA). The county responded by supplying a cursory checklist that did not adequately take into account the impact of opening these roads to WATVs nor the impact of illegal off-road use in adjacent areas. MVCC and Conservation Northwest challenged the inadequate ordinance in court. In 2016, the State Court of Appeals struck down the Okanogan County Ordinance allowing WATV use.

To Authorize Routes for WATV Use an Environmental Analysis Must be Completed 

North Central ATV Club has proposed that the county open the following roads to WATV use: Cub Creek, East Chewuch and West Chewuch roads; Upper Beaver Creek, Balky Hill, Twisp-Winthrop Eastside, Twisp River, and Poorman Creek roads; Goat Creek Road (Sno-Park to Mazama junction); Bear Creek and Lester roads; Bill Shaw, Watson Draw and French Creek roads. Speed limits on roads that currently have limits above 35 m.p.h. would need to have their speed limits reduced to allow WATVs. All the routes will also need to undergo a thorough environmental analysis that identifies and addresses concerns that include:

• Increased traffic as a result of the ATV ordinance
• Off-road use encouraged by the opening of the roads and related environmental impacts, including harm to soils, slopes, water, animals, and plants
• Reported instances of off-road use and its damage to environment
• Some segments of roads being open to ATV traffic but not connected to other roads under 35 m.p.h.
•  Noise and air pollution resulting from both legal and illegal traffic – and the added impact to local residents and recreationists looking for peaceful solitude.
•  Adequacy of facilities, law enforcement, and emergency services to handle ATV use
•  Impact on threatened and endangered species from both legal and illegal traffic

Primary Concerns: Illegal Off-Road Use and Wildlife Impacts
MVCC is not opposed to allowing WATVs in the places where they are appropriate if a proper environmental analysis is completed. Our primary concern remains how challenging it is to prevent illegal off-road use and enforce it. In addition, Forest Service roads are not currently open to WATV use until a (long overdue) Travel Management Plan is completed. Since many county roads turn into Forest Service roads, enforcing legal use on all these routes would be exceedingly difficult.

Our other concern is the impact WATVs can have on wildlife and wildlife habitat. Unregulated WATV use can damage fish habitat when users drive near or into streams, cause erosion that clogs streams, and distress wildlife, among other disturbances. WATVs can also impact other recreational users–walkers, runners, bikers–who use these often-quiet roads for non-motorized recreation.

Okanogan County has said it will consult with state and federal land-management agencies and then invite public comment. We will keep you informed of any updates and make sure any proposed routes are supported by a complete environmental analysis.