Keweenaw County Adopts ORV Ordinance
At a meeting of the Keweenaw County Board of Commissioners on December 17, 2008, the ORV ordinance to allow ATV use of designated county road shoulders was passed by a unanimous vote of the Commissioners.
The ordinance allows ATV riders to use designated county road shoulders for access to and from residences and businesses and the designated ATV trails in Keweenaw County. A similar ordinance was passed recently in Houghton County.
The ordinance was written by County Attorney Donna Jaaskelainen with recommendations and input from Sheriff Ron Lahti and The Keweenaw ATV Club. Thanks in large part to the efforts of Sheriff Lahti and County Commissioner Joe Langdon, the ordinance was passed as written.
After the vote was taken, Commissioner Langdon thanked the Keweenaw ATV Club for our efforts to establish a designated trail system in Keweenaw County. His comments in part were “I can’t” remember a time when you’ve (the ATV Club) come to us for either money or help. In future tourism, ORV use is going to be huge and to have it controlled in a way that benefits visitors and residents alike is thanks largely to your efforts. This board applauds all the work you have done.
