CACHE COUNTY – Sheriff Chad Jensen has issued an advisory update to county residents on the legal status of Winter and Elbow Canyon roads near Clarkston.
Motorized vehicles are not permitted on those roads, according to Jensen.
“Access is allowed only by walking, hiking, biking or on horseback,” the sheriff emphasizes. Please note that any movement off the designed roads may be considered trespassing.”
The area east of Clarkston has been in dispute since May, when county officials tried to bulldoze a game trail into a public thoroughfare. Local residents are concerned that construction might compromise the watershed that feeds the towns of Clarkston, Newton and Trenton.
The county action was opposed by Scott Scriber, the owner of the Winter Canyon Ranch, who filed a restraining order in May and the process has been tried up in the courts will filings and counter-filings ever since.
Those legal issues surrounding the roads are still being addressed by attorneys and the courts, Jensen explained.
“I urge all parties involved to adhere to the (aforementioned) guidelines,” Jensen adds. “We do not want a violent incident due to a trespassing issue.”
Anyone seeking to report an incident in the area of Winter and Elbow Canyon roads are advised to contact Sgt. Dustin Batt by calling 435-755-1053 or via e-mail to dbatt@cachesheriff.gov
In the case of emergencies, please call 911.