The Grays Harbor County commissioners on Monday, Nov. 21, approved additional county roads for ATV use.
Adding to the county’s previous list of 22 roads approved for ATV use, the commissioners conferred with the county’s legal team and the Grays Harbor County Sheriff’s Office before holding a public hearing about an ordinance which amends the current ordinance to add the additional roads.
The additional roads are:
Near Montesano — Medcalf Street (milepost .326 to milepost .450), Owen Drive (milepost 0 to milepost .215), Cherry Road (milepost 0 to .174), Brook Drive (milepost .174 to .444), Lake Drive (milepost 0 to .296), Roup Road (milepost 0 to .521), Beacon Avenue (milepost 1.047 to 1.608), Old Beacon Road (milepost 0 to .032), Simmons Road (milepost 0 to .575), Schafer Boom Road (milepost 0 to .931), Glenn Road (milepost 0 to .107), North Glenn Road (milepost 0 to .6), South Glenn Road (milepost 0 to .153), North Fairbairn Road (milepost 0 to .45) and South Fairbairn Road (milepost 0 to .03).
Near Brady — Monte Brady Road (milepost 0 to 2.580, and milepost 2.8 to 2.927), N. Winkleman Road (milepost 0 to .715), South Winkleman Road (milepost 0 to .109), Barrett Road (milepost 0 to .477), Firestation Road (milepost 0 to .179), Foster Road (milepost 0 to 1.034), Willis Road (milepost 0 to .49), Hiram Hall Road (milepost 0 to .410), Dwinell Road (milepost 0 to .307), Gleason Road (milepost 0 to .372) and West Satsop Road (milepost 0 to 5.285).
Near Satsop — East Satsop Road (milepost 0 to 3.425), Stephens Road (milepost 0 to .434), Satsop Riveria Loop (milepost 0 to 1.543), Ash Road (milepost 0 to .302), Sixth Street (milepost 0 to .180), Fifth Street (milepost 0 to .128), Fourth Street (milepost 0 to .128), Foss Avenue (milepost 0 to .287), Moore Road (milepost 0 to 1.213), West Moore Road (milepost 0 to .682), Matthews Road (milepost 0 to .120), Fuller Road (milepost to .047), Lillie Road (milepost 0 to .760) and Oneill Road (milepost 0 to 1.239).
Near Elma — Newman Creek Road (milepost 0 to 2.092), McIntyre Road (milepost 0 to .220), Hurd Road (milepost 0 to 1.430), N. Schouweiler Road (.040 to .268), S. Schouweiler Road (milepost .140 to .450), Allen Road (milepost 0 to .280), South Allen Road (milepost 0 to .127), East Schouweiler Tracts Road (milepost 0 to .470), Calder Road (milepost 0 to 1.165), Spradlin Road (milepost 0 to .257), Vance Creek Road (milepost 0 to .810), Wenzel Slough Road (milepost 0 to 4.880).
Other proposed roads are Hanson Road, north of Hoquiam in the New London area (milepost 0 to .680), and Baretich Road up the Wishkah (milepost 0 to .308).
A complete list of ATV approved roads is available on the county’s website, www.co.grays-harbor.wa.us.
State law allows for ATV use on public roads, so long as a municipality or county approves its own rules.
ATVs using county roads must comply with state laws, including licensing and safety equipment.
Three cities in East County passed similar ordinances allowing ATVs on roads within their respective city limits (the City of Elma passed an ordinance on Nov. 3, 2014, followed by the City of Montesano on Feb. 10, 2015, and the City of McCleary passed its ordinance on March 25). The county ordinance was, in part, an effort to partner with those municipalities.
County ordinance 422, approved by the commissioners in 2015, allows for residents to suggest additional roads appropriate for ATV use, and once per year, the commissioners will consider the suggested additions.
In October, Montesano resident Steve Hyde encouraged the commissioners to approve ATV use on all roads with posted speed limits of 35 mph or less countywide.
Currently, some roads are approved for ATVs on certain stretches, but not for the whole road. Hyde said he preferred continuity. He specifically noted Devonshire Road in Montesano which is approved for ATV use except for on the overpass. The situation is somewhat unique because the overpass is owned by the state but the asphalt on the overpass is maintained by the county.
The commissioners said they would review the issue and further discuss the matter.
On Monday, Nov. 21, Hyde asked the commissioners for a followup about Devonshire Road.
Commissioner and Chairwoman Vickie Raines said the county hadn’t made any additional progress on the issue.
Commissioner Wes Cormier was absent. Commissioner Frank Gordon and Raines both voted to approve the additional roads.
