Dear Commissioners:
We, the elected representatives of Ferron City, understand that you, the Emery County Commissioners, intend on closing Canyon Road to ATV travel from the city limits of Ferron to the forest service boundaries.
In your public meeting several weeks ago, Mayor Bowden expressed that Ferron City, through its mayor, city council, and a majority of its citizens oppose this action and want to make it clear that this proposed action is still opposed by this municipality. It is in conflict with Ferron City’s plan for its development as a recreational venue in Emery County.
Mesia Nyman, Manti-LaSal Forest Ranger, has written an article and quoted its content at the county’s public hearing on the subject indicating it is the intent of the forest service to keep the forest roads open to ATV travel. We see that the Utah State Parks Division advertises Millsite as an ATV and bike route with it being an access and destination.
As the Ferron City Council, we are unanimous in our decision to keep our city streets open to ATV access. We are concerned that the desires of the people of Ferron and the decisions of their elected representatives are being ignored. We perceive Canyon Road to be the best route to access Ferron’s mountain area. It is presently used as a Historical Livestock Trail and as an agricultural route. Tractors, hay wagons, manure spreaders, backhoes, swathers, and other type of livestock equipment is used every day on this road without incident and more specifically, ATVs have in the past, and currently, use this route regularly without incident. We recognize the fact that the road is used for a variety of purposes, therefore, we support the 25 and 35 miles per hour speed limits currently set for travel on it. In our opinion, Mill Road is a far more dangerous route to drive, especially due to the blind turn next to Eva Conover’s home. We believe the Emery County Commissions proposal is both arbitrary and capricious in its disregard for the desires and plans of Ferron City’s citizens and officials.
Once again, we as Ferron City’s Mayor and Council request that Canyon Road remain open for designated use as an ATV route. We ask for your support to accommodate the needs of our community so we may all be successful in promoting recreation and tourism in Emery County. We feel frustrated when a decision has been made by us only to learn it is being opposed without consideration given to the needs of our community. Everyone understands the need to work together on difficult matters to meet an appropriate solution. Therefore, we ask for all sides of this issue to be evaluated and given careful consideration before a decision is made. We seek a continuation of good working relations between city and county officials and ask for support in our decisions as leaders with responsibilities that have been entrusted to us.
Respectfully yours,
Ferron City
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