Board weighs Old Ranch Road resolution as staff outlines limits to restricting forest access
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Summary
Supervisors previewed a resolution on Old Ranch Road and discussed legal and jurisdictional limits: staff said the road traverses private parcels, state trust land and national forest, and that there is no straightforward mechanism to require recreational permits or otherwise bar public access on the established road.
Supervisor Anthony requested board discussion of an Old Ranch Road resolution during the Nov. 13 work session, and county staff provided an extended briefing on access and enforcement constraints.
Staff explained that the road traverses a short private section, then state trust land and ultimately provides the only ground access to a portion of the national forest. County staff told supervisors that Arizona State Land Department policy and federal access rules make it difficult to restrict travel along an established road; the land department will not require permits for someone who stays on the road, and the Forest Service declined proposals to create alternate access.
Board members asked whether a county ordinance, law enforcement action or state enabling statute would allow limiting access to those who hold state trust land permits or hunting licenses. County legal and planning staff said there is no simple enforcement mechanism and recommended presenting a mapped briefing on Tuesday that shows parcel boundaries and jurisdictional transitions so the board can understand options.
Several supervisors also asked for input from Arizona State Land Department and U.S. Forest Service representatives. Staff said they had consulted congressional and Forest Service offices and will include flood control, maps and legal analysis in the Tuesday packet. The board did not take a formal vote; staff said the matter will be discussed at the upcoming public meeting and the draft resolution will be posted Friday.
