Local News

Commissioner’s Vacate Three Devils Road in 2-1 Vote

Jun 04, 2015

Although the Okanogan County hearing examiner recommended that the primitive road that leads over the ridge from the Chiliwist to the Methow Valley and the Loup Loup summit remain open to the public, the Okanogan County Commissioner’s voted 2-1 on Wednesday to grant the request of Gamble Land and Timber, owned by the Gebber’s family, to vacate a three mile stretch of public roadway and give it to Gebbers.

Very little discussion took place during Wednesday’s meeting beforeCommissioners Sheliah Kennedy and Ray Campbell supported vacating the road that Hearing Examiner Dan Beardslee described as useful to the County Road system as an emergency evacuation route, as a scenic drive, and as a connector to National Forest Lands to the West. It is therefore useful to the County Road system.

Commissioner Jim DeTro opposed the vacation that will now close the Three Devils Road to the public, and cut off access for the public to the National Forest lands.

Following the meeting, outraged Chiliwist residents vowed to fight the vacation. They plan to hire an attorney and sue the county to prevent it from giving away a valuable route.

The group has set up an online campaign to raise money for their suit. The donation account is set up online at http://www.gofundme.com/sjdauc.

Their site says, “After the Comissioners hired a hearings examiner to research the issues involved in this road. The hearings examiner recommended that the road remain open. Instead of taking the recommendation of the examiner that THEY HIRED, the Comissioners voted to go with the corporation and close the road. Needless to say this has begun a huge battle that will require money to fight. Remember that this same corporation does not only affect those living in and enjoying the Chiliwist Valley, but owns land all over the state and is closing public roads all over. If we don't stand together on this issue more and more public land will be closed for you to use. Your donation can be private and even small amounts add up please help us put a stop to this.”

As of 10 a.m this morning people had donated a total of $1,160 to help pay for an attorney and to file a lawsuit.