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Gun-range group presents video of washout; county to review access-road maintenance obligations
Summary
Representatives of the Western Wyoming Rifleman's Association showed video of a washout on the IGO Road and said the lease requires county maintenance; deputy county attorney said the lease language appears to require the lessor to maintain the primary access and recommended review. Commissioners asked staff to return with a recommendation in two weeks.
Steve Schalk, president of the Western Wyoming Rifleman's Association, presented video at the May 5 Lincoln County commissioners meeting showing road damage and a washout on the IGO Road south of the county gun range. Schalk told the board the club has leased county land since 2009 under a 40-year renewable lease and asserted the lease obligates the county to maintain the access road.
Chairman Kent Connelly said the county’s longstanding position is that it does not perform maintenance beyond a locked gate and that the arrangement was not intended to require county maintenance of the full access route. Deputy County Attorney Austin Dunlap reviewed the lease language and told the board that, in his read, the agreement includes language placing responsibility on the lessor to improve and maintain the primary access road; he recommended further review of the agreement.
Commissioner Melvin Shumway asked for more time to explore the agreement and requested additional clarification. Commissioner Teri Bowers agreed. The board directed staff to examine the lease and return with a recommendation in two weeks.
Schalk told the commission the rifle range is used by more than 160 families. The board did not take a formal vote on maintenance obligations at the meeting; instead it recorded the request for staff review and follow-up.
