ATHABASCA – Athabasca County councillors declined to take a further look at off highway vehicle (OHV) usage in the municipality despite an impassioned plea from Coun. Gary Cromwell.
During the Aug. 28 regular council meeting Cromwell brought the topic forward to the table, asking his peers for input on an issue he said he didn’t have an immediate solution for.
“It’s been no secret that, over time, there have been more and more complaints about OHVs, side-by-sides, dirt bikes, on county roads and how that impacts residents and travellers alike,” said Cromwell.
Cromwell said he had been sent 21 videos from ratepayers in the Wandering River area who filmed vehicles driving on roads and cutting through property.
“We’re setting up people to fail and get injured. I don’t have a solution yet, but we have to figure out a way to keep OHVs at a proper and respectable level, while still being fair to the ratepayers of the county.”
Currently, Athabasca County does have an off-highway vehicle bylaw, which Reeve Tracy Holland suggested could be brought forward to look at.
“I know from talking with prior council members that when this bylaw was passed, the intent was for agricultural use, for having ATVs on the roads,” said Holland.
Other councillors disagreed with Cromwell’s approach to the topic. With an election nearing, Athabasca County has three council meetings before voters will choose new representatives – some felt there were more important topics that needed addressing.
“We just had a strategic planning and service level presentation saying we need to stay on track and not get sideways on a lot of things. This is a pop-up issue, it’s not part of our bigger plan right now,” said Coun. Camille Wallach.
“If we’re looking at putting up signage or anything all over the county, that’s going to be a massive undertaking.”
Other councillors pointed to enforcement as a possible solution, since the county already has a bylaw in place for the issue.
Councillors voted to receive the topic for information, which effectively sidelines the topic until the upcoming election. The vote passed 6-2, with Holland and Cromwell opposed, and Coun. Joe Gerlach absent.
