Elkhorn residents urge county to ask DNR to allow ATV/UTV use on White River Trail

Barb Nichols, a resident of Elkhorn, told the committee she was speaking to support ATV and UTV access on the White River Trail. "My name is Barb Nichols, and I'm from Elkhorn. ... we believe ATV UTV use should have been included when the trail was established in 2003," she said, noting the trail connects to existing county routes and that local ATV clubs would assist with maintenance.

Cole Nichols, also of Elkhorn, added support during the public‑comment period. A representative of the local snowmobile alliance said the alliance has been maintaining portions of the trail and is willing to work with ATV/UTV clubs on upkeep, but raised concerns about winter use and rider behavior.

Staff reminded the committee the White River Trail is a state asset and that designation changes require DNR planning and negotiation. Public Works staff said qualifying the trail for ATV/UTV use could increase grant funding—"By opening it to ATV UTV year round, then that increases to 900... So about 11,000 then," the snowmobile representative said—while warning of public‑safety tradeoffs where quiet electric bikes and users with earbuds may be unaware of approaching vehicles.

The committee did not make a final policy change during public comment; members used the input to frame later discussion when the committee considered a staff recommendation and a formal motion to instruct staff to draft a DNR resolution.

The public comment record is recorded in the committee packet; no final DNR designation was made by the committee at this meeting.