Coconino County reviewers press for clearer trail maps and stricter enforcement of off‑highway vehicle rules

Coconino County staff and advisory members reviewed proposed changes to the parks, recreation and open‑space chapter of the county comprehensive plan, focusing on trail mapping, compatibility of motorized routes with ranching, and enforcement of off‑highway vehicle (OHV) rules on private lands.

The revisions presented group park and recreation policies under a single introductory section and incorporate recommendations from the countyparks and recreation master plan. Staff said some trail‑related items should be clarified so the plan does not imply the county manages trails beyond the singular trails inside county parks and recreation areas. Cynthia, Parks and Recreation director, said the 15‑minute walk standard for access to recreational amenities is a national goal from the National Recreation and Park Association and should be described as an aspirational standard rather than a completed achievement.

Participants discussed motorized trails and ranch compatibility after several attendees urged the plan explicitly restrict motorized routes where they conflict with ranching uses. Michael Lisonbee questioned references to the Great Western Trail, saying the trail "dead ends" in parts of the county and that mapping needs to be precise; other participants suggested removing or qualifying the Great Western Trail reference pending verification. Laura Sprout, the consultant noted staff had modified the draft language to flag motorized routes as potentially incompatible with ranching.

The group also reviewed enforcement tools being used on private lands. A staff member described landowner compact agreements with the Arizona Game and Fish Commission and land managers that enable enforcement action for illegal off‑road use, and said, "you are not allowed to drive any OHV vehicles off road, period," except for narrowly defined retrieval of legally taken game. Staff said some compacts are already effective and others will be brought to the board for update and renewal.

Participants asked staff to add cross‑references showing coordination with Public Works and engineering trail planning (including a large multimodal trail grant that was not awarded but remains an aspiration), to clarify which trails are county‑owned or maintained, and to document the outreach and education work done by the Niibaa Trust and other private partners. The plan text will be revised to avoid implying the county directly manages trails it does not hold responsibility for and to call out private‑land compacts and education efforts as distinct tools for addressing unauthorized trail use.

Staff said revised text and updated maps will be posted to the project website once edits are complete; no formal action or vote was taken at the meeting.