Mud pit permit granted

BONNERS FERRY — Despite dissension among county commissioners and opposition by the community, a special event application for a mud pit/rock crawl event this summer was approved.

Commissioners LeAlan Pinkerton and Dan Dinning voted in favor of the event with certain stipulations.

The August event will feature a mud pit and multiple rock crawl trails for beginner to advanced drivers. All vehicles will be required to have a roll cage or cab and drivers must wear seat belts.

The non-competitive event will have a designated spectator area and around-the-clock security. DelRey Romero is running the event on property on Highland Flats Road.

To mitigate the adverse effects on neighbors, commissioners reduced the proposed three-day event to two days on Aug. 10 and 11. The hours of the event were also shortened from 12 hours per day to 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

In order to maintain a family-friendly atmosphere, applicant DelRey Romero said he would not allow alcohol to be served or allow it at the event. The commissioners included no alcohol as a stipulation of the special events permit at the public hearing Tuesday.

One of the major concerns by neighbors was use of the snowmobile parking area at the end of Highland Flats Road because the event would be held right down the road.

“I don’t think closing it would be appropriate,” said Commissioner Pinkerton. “It is meant to be used.”

Commissioner Walt Kirby agreed with Pinkerton on not closing the snowmobile park.

To address other concerns by neighbors, the commissioners added stipulations to the special event permit to mitigate those concerns.

Commissioner Dinning added the stipulation that Romero needs to acquire all necessary permits with the DEQ, Panhandle Health, Corps of Engineers and other agencies in regards to water quality and construction near wetlands.

Romero also must provide proof of liability insurance for $1 million.

The size of the event was another concern by neighbors with the parking, traffic, impact on the road and litter.

Romero estimated over 500 people would attend the event and that he had parking for 2,000 vehicles on site. Commissioners capped the limit of vehicles at 1,000 on site and said absolutely no parking on county roads or shoulders.

Romero said in his opening statement that he would pay for dust abatement on the county road and would have a 2,000 gallon water truck on site for dust control.

Kirby was concerned with the additional pressure on Road and Bridge and the Sheriff’s department.

“The Sheriff doesn’t have the manpower to handle it,” said Kirby.

To mitigate the noise infringement on neighbors, the commissioners are requiring all vehicles to have mufflers.

“I can’t in good conscience support this project where it is, when it is because of the impact on people miles around,” said Kirby. “A good idea but the wrong place for it.”

Kirby motioned to disapprove the application but neither Pinkerton nor Dinning would second it. Then Pinkerton motioned to approve the application and Dinning yielded his chair to second the motion. The final vote was Pinkerton and Dinning for the application and Kirby against it.

The public hearing began on Tuesday, May 21 and was continued on Tuesday, May 28. The permit is one-time only.