Bannock County sets public hearing notice for Lower Rock Creek Road validation

Bannock County commissioners approved a public hearing notice to consider whether a segment of Lower Rock Creek Road qualifies as a legally established public right of way.

Kyle Burmister, Public Works Director, summarized the statutory framework the county follows for road validation, referencing “statute 42 0 3 a” and describing three circumstances that can prompt validation: defects in legal establishment, uncertain location, or when the traveled route does not match the right-of-way described in official records.

Burmister said the disputed segment lies south of a ski area in the Inkom area, runs east from Bonneville Road toward a series of towers, and includes a dirt section that then jogs onto private property owned by the applicant. He said maintenance history and maps offered conflicting evidence about whether the county formally recognizes that segment as a maintenance road.

Commissioners approved publishing a public hearing notice so the county can hold a hearing to determine the legal status and location of the road. The hearing will let the county reconcile maintenance records, maps and any public claims about the route. The record does not state a specific hearing date.