Off-road vehicles may be restricted when it comes to operation in the Marshall County Forest and the Mill Pond Forest.
Commissioner Mike Delp brought up the issue in a previous meeting when discussing the use of dirt bikes in the county forest and damage caused to the trails. County Attorney Jim Clevenger presented a draft of the ordinances to the commissioners this week that prohibits motorized vehicles in the Marshall County Forest and the Mill Pond Forest.
Commissioner Kurt Garner asked to allow wording that would allow golf carts, dirt bikes or UTVs with the prior written authorization of the commissioners. Delp said he wants to watch out for liability, but he wouldn’t be opposed to it completely.
Delp said he was with a volunteer group at the county forest last week to help level out the ruts that were caused by dirt bikes. Trash was also collected to clean up the area.
Greg Hildebrand noted that he’d hate to see the off-road vehicles prohibited from the areas as families often go as a group on these types of vehicles to participate in recreational activities as a family. The provision may allow the return of illegal activity in the county-owned forests. Often times, he said, the off-road vehicles are being ridden to the county forests on county roads where they aren’t allowed in the first place.
Clevenger commented that he’ll make some small changes to the ordinances and have them ready for the first reading at the next meeting on Monday, July 2.
