Supervisors hear proposal to allow ATV use on County secondary roads

by Bob Beach

During its regular meeting Tuesday, December 23 the Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met with several County residents who support allowing ATV and UTV use on County secondary roads. Speaking on behalf of the informal group (there is no formal ATV organization in the county), Dean Anderson presented the Board with a formal proposal, which included a sample ordinance from Buchanan County, where ATV use on secondary roads is allowed.
Anderson noted that the bordering states of Minnesota and Wisconsin, which have much more liberal laws regarding ATV use, are enjoying the economic value of tourism by ATV owners, including the purchase of goods, food and gas. He added that ATV owners in Allamakee County currently get nothing in return for paying the $18 ATV registration fee, as they can't ride on the roads and there are no trails or ATV parks in Allamakee County.
County Conservation Director Jim Jannett said that he believes that ATV use on secondary roads is an issue that should be taken up at the state level, as uniform laws statewide would be easier to enforce.
County Engineer Brian Ridenour said that his primary concern in making such a change would be safety. He noted that ATV manufacturers specifically warn that ATVS are not for roadway use. He also pointed out that part of his concern with regard to safety lies in the distance from Allamakee County to a hospital with a trauma center with the capability to handle serious head injuries. He noted that some ATV riders are under the age of 12, despite current age requirements, and that enforcement of an ordinance placing restrictions on ATV use on secondary roads would be difficult to enforce simply because the County lacks the manpower to do so.
Ridenour conceded that there are a lot of ATVs being used on secondary roads already, but suggested that a change to formally allow ATV use on County roads should be approached slowly, perhaps beginning with a special event where such use would be allowed under certain guidelines.
Sheriff Clark Mellick said he shares Ridenour's concerns about safety and enforcement. He said that he would not be opposed to allowing ATV on some secondary roads, but ATV use on other secondary roads would be problematic. He added that such a change would  increase the burden on the resources of the Sheriff's Department, as the Department of Natural Resources, which receives the bulk of the revenue from ATV permitting fees, does not investigate ATV accidents unless they occur on state land. Mellick also agreed with Ridenour that an organized ride would be a good place to start in order to examine potential issues.
Supervisor Sherry Strub said that she would not be opposed to allowing ATV use on secondary roads but suggested that supporters of such a change should first form an organized group. Chairman Larry Schellhammer said that he would not be opposed to such a change but that he would like to look at the revenue side of the issue to ensure that potential expenses would be covered. Supervisor Dennis Koening said he really likes the idea and thanked Anderson and the other supporters of the proposal for bringing their idea to the Board.

In other business, Jane Regan of Leschensky Insurance presented the Board with a dividend check from Argent Insurance, the County's worker compensation insurance carrier, for $36,181. The Board re-appointed Duane Leppert to the Planning and Zoning Commission and Steve Weymiller to the Zoning Board of Adjustment. The Board also approved plans to replace a 140-foot bridge on Yellow River Drive over Norfolk Creek. Bid letting on that project is expected to be held in March and the bridge will be closed for approximately three months during construction.