MOHAWK - The Keweenaw County Board of Commissioners Wednesday approved a proposed ordinance governing off-road vehicles on county roads.

Keweenaw County Sheriff Ron Lahti recommended passage of the ordinance which would prohibit operation of ORVs on a public street or road with some exceptions for short distances between trail systems.

The county's ordinance modifies Public Act 240 of 2008 which prohibits ORV operation on county roads, except in those counties allowed in the law to adopt individual ordinances.

Under the act, signed into law by Gov. Jennifer Granholm last July, only counties in the northern Lower Peninsula and those in the Upper Peninsula may open up to 30 percent of their roads to ORVs. This includes all 15 counties in the U.P., the lower peninsula counties of Mason, Lake, Osceola, Clare, Gladwin, Arenac, Bay and any county to the north of those counties.

"In a way, it was good (the state) allowed the counties individual jurisdiction because it allows us to do what we feel is right for Keweenaw County," Lahti said.

Upon his request, Lahti said County Prosecuting Attorney Donna Jaaskelainen drew up an ordinance that he felt included the modifications needed to provide a middle ground for those operating ORVs in the county.

"Personally, I don't want to see ORVs on the road, but realistically if you have to get from one trail to another, this allows you to drive slowly on the side of the road," Lahti said. "Some businesses rely on ORV traffic and this ordinance allows them the access they need."

Lahti said the proposed ordinance had the support of Jaaskelainen, county law enforcement and the county ORV group.

"It was important to have everyone's input on this," Lahti said.

Road Commissioner Mark McEvers said his group also had unanimously supported the proposal, although they expressed concern about the "vulnerability" of erosion of county road shoulders from ORV use.

"We support it, but we need to see some enforcement," McEvers said.

Board of Commissioners Chair Don Keith said he appreciated the work Lahti had done in bringing the proposal to the board, but felt passage of the ordinance was premature pending actions by neighboring counties.

"I'd like to see us work with Houghton County and others to see what our common ground is so that when you cross the county line, the rules don't change drastically," Keith said. "We can do whatever we wish as a county but I don't want to pass something in haste."

Houghton County will have a public hearing on a proposed ORV ordinance at its next meeting Tuesday. That proposed ordinance, according to Houghton County Controller Eric Forsberg, has been prepared with input from the Houghton County Road Commission.

Under the state law, counties must allow a 45-day comment period before adoption by the county board of commissioners. Lahti said Jaaskelainen advised allowing 90 days of public comment for the Keweenaw County ordinance based on the extent of the modifications.

"It was her suggestion we allow more time," Lahti said in an interview this morning.

Commissioners passed the proposed ordinance Wednesday with Keith casting the lone vote in opposition.

"I think we should have more conversations with other counties before we take action," he said. "I see no reason to rush."

Lahti stood by his recommendation.

"I believe this ordinance provides what's best for Keweenaw County," he said. "If we feel something needs to be changed in the future, we can change it."

A date for a public hearing on the ordinance was not set at Wednesday's meeting. Copies of the proposed ordinance are available at the county courthouse in Eagle River.

Jane Nordberg can be reached at jnordberg@mininggazette.com