After contested hearing, commissioners adopt resolution to establish County Road CR 402 by prescription

Natrona County commissioners held an extended public hearing on Resolution 48‑25 to establish County Road CR 402 by prescription. Multiple property owners testified in opposition, raising concerns about safety, livestock collisions, fencing and whether a 'highway' label could trigger paving or wider easements.

Public commenters said the road passes through ranch lands and expressed concern that designation as a "highway" could trigger changes they do not want. Justin Johnson said vehicles already drive too fast past his property and asked who would enforce speed limits or cover fencing and livestock losses. "They drive way too fast up in front of my house... that's a major concern," Johnson said.

Steve Garrett (Garrett Ranch) worried about the effect on grazing and the potential to expand right‑of‑way widths, noting legal differences and GPS‑driven traffic. Jenny Johnson asked what the county gains and whether the change benefits local landowners; county staff and the county attorney explained the statute’s required language and said the process is intended to clean up and record long‑existing public rights, not to pave or widen the road immediately.

County legal staff explained the statutory process uses the term "county highway" in the adverse possession/prescription statute; the legal goal is to create a recorded public easement where historical public use has existed but the easement was not properly recorded. Staff and public safety officials said the county’s intent is to maintain existing access and avoid future litigation that could block emergency access.

After discussion and an opportunity for further legal review, Commissioner Nicholas moved to establish County Road 402 (Beech/Bates Creek Road) as a county highway by prescription (adding suggested wording). The motion was seconded and the board voted in favor; the chair announced the motion carried and the resolution was adopted.

Commissioners emphasized that there is no plan to pave or widen the road as a result of this action and that the recorded designation is intended to secure legal access for emergency services and the public. Several residents expressed appreciation that the county staff had already addressed some operational items (such as a Knox gate and other access measures) following earlier actions.