HomeMy Public PortalAboutPKT-CC-2020-10-20OCTOBER 20, 2020
SPECIAL JOINT CITY COUNCIL/GRAND COUNTY
COMMISSION MEETING
2:00 P.M.
THE PUBLIC IS INVITED AND ENCOURAGED TO VIEW AND PARTICIPATE IN
THE ELECTRONIC MEETING BY VIEWING THE COUNTY ’S YOUTUBE
CHANNEL:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7FCQMLwxezhIrVXvaSxFKg
Special Meeting -2:00 p.m.
Call to Order -Grand County Commission
Grand County Commission Agenda
grand county -moab city joint mtg agenda 10 -20 final b.pdf
Call to Order - Moab City Council
Moab City Council Agenda
ag -cc -2020 -10 -20.pdf
Citizens to be Heard (Until 2:10 p.m.)
We are receiving public comments by phone and online through
Zoom.
Citizens are limited to two (2) minutes for comments.
Dial: (669)900 -6833 Meeting ID: 867 1625 2356 #Password (if
needed): 279317
Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86716252356?
pwd=udd0ddf0btdjodq5umnowjnju1vadz09
Please note that when joining the meeting, you will be placed in
a waiting room and will be added to the meeting by the
moderator. Your comments will be recorded and on YouTube.
(Unmute for public comment: *6)
Public comments may be submitted prior to the meeting
through the following link: http://bit.ly/publiccommentform
General Business - Action Items - Discussion and Consideration
of:
Approving joint resolution to formally initiate proceedings to amend the Grand
County Land Use Code and the Moab Municipal Code to amend those relevant
portions permitting vehicle sales, rentals, or leasing, commercial outdoor
recreational uses, and outfitter, guide services and facilities and to impose a
moratorium on issuing new business licenses for the sale, rental, or leasing of all -
terrain vehicles (ATV), commercial outdoor recreational uses involving an ATV,
and ATV outfitting, guiding, and touring and to impose a moratorium on issuing
new special events permits for ATV vendors, associations, and groups (Laurie
Simonson, City of Moab Attorney and Christina Sloan, Grand County Attorney)
agenda item a.pdf
Approving ordinance to establish speed limits for off-highway vehicles (OHV) in
the City of Moab (Laurie Simonson, City of Moab Attorney)
agenda item b.pdf
Approving ordinance to establish speed limits for off-highway vehicles (OHV) in
Grand County (Christina Sloan, Grand County Attorney)
agenda item c.pdf
Discussion Items
Discussion on enforcement challenges regarding OHVs (Laurie Simonson, City of
Moab Attorney)
Discussion on possible legislative action regarding OHV use (Mayor Niehaus, City
of Moab)
Adjournment
Consistent with provisions of the Utah Open and Public Meetings Act, Utah
Code Ann. § 54 -2 -207(4), the Moab City Council Chair has issued written
determinations supporting the decision to convene electronic meetings of the
Council without a physical anchor location. Due to the health and safety risks
related to the ongoing COVID -19 pandemic and considering public health
orders limiting in -person gatherings, the Moab City Council will continue to
hold meetings by electronic means.
Special Accommodations:
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, individuals needing special
accommodations during this meeting should notify the Recorder ’s Office at 217 East Center
Street, Moab, Utah 84532; or phone (435) 259 -5121 at least three (3) working days prior to
the meeting.
Check our website for updates at: www.moabcity.org
1.
2.
2.1.
Documents:
3.
3.1.
Documents:
4.
5.
5.1.
Documents:
5.2.
Documents:
5.3.
Documents:
6.
6.1.
6.2.
7.
OCTOBER 20, 2020SPECIAL JOINT CITY COUNCIL/GRAND COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING 2:00 P.M.THE PUBLIC IS INVITED AND ENCOURAGED TO VIEW AND PARTICIPATE IN THE ELECTRONIC MEETING BY VIEWING THE COUNTY ’S YOUTUBE CHANNEL: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7FCQMLwxezhIrVXvaSxFKgSpecial Meeting -2:00 p.m.Call to Order -Grand County CommissionGrand County Commission Agendagrand county -moab city joint mtg agenda 10 -20 final b.pdfCall to Order - Moab City CouncilMoab City Council Agendaag-cc -2020 -10 -20.pdfCitizens to be Heard (Until 2:10 p.m.)We are receiving public comments by phone and online through Zoom.Citizens are limited to two (2) minutes for comments.Dial: (669)900 -6833 Meeting ID: 867 1625 2356 #Password (if needed): 279317Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86716252356?pwd=udd0ddf0btdjodq5umnowjnju1vadz09Please note that when joining the meeting, you will be placed in a waiting room and will be added to the meeting by the moderator. Your comments will be recorded and on YouTube. (Unmute for public comment: *6)
Public comments may be submitted prior to the meeting
through the following link: http://bit.ly/publiccommentform
General Business - Action Items - Discussion and Consideration
of:
Approving joint resolution to formally initiate proceedings to amend the Grand
County Land Use Code and the Moab Municipal Code to amend those relevant
portions permitting vehicle sales, rentals, or leasing, commercial outdoor
recreational uses, and outfitter, guide services and facilities and to impose a
moratorium on issuing new business licenses for the sale, rental, or leasing of all -
terrain vehicles (ATV), commercial outdoor recreational uses involving an ATV,
and ATV outfitting, guiding, and touring and to impose a moratorium on issuing
new special events permits for ATV vendors, associations, and groups (Laurie
Simonson, City of Moab Attorney and Christina Sloan, Grand County Attorney)
agenda item a.pdf
Approving ordinance to establish speed limits for off-highway vehicles (OHV) in
the City of Moab (Laurie Simonson, City of Moab Attorney)
agenda item b.pdf
Approving ordinance to establish speed limits for off-highway vehicles (OHV) in
Grand County (Christina Sloan, Grand County Attorney)
agenda item c.pdf
Discussion Items
Discussion on enforcement challenges regarding OHVs (Laurie Simonson, City of
Moab Attorney)
Discussion on possible legislative action regarding OHV use (Mayor Niehaus, City
of Moab)
Adjournment
Consistent with provisions of the Utah Open and Public Meetings Act, Utah
Code Ann. § 54 -2 -207(4), the Moab City Council Chair has issued written
determinations supporting the decision to convene electronic meetings of the
Council without a physical anchor location. Due to the health and safety risks
related to the ongoing COVID -19 pandemic and considering public health
orders limiting in -person gatherings, the Moab City Council will continue to
hold meetings by electronic means.
Special Accommodations:
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, individuals needing special
accommodations during this meeting should notify the Recorder ’s Office at 217 East Center
Street, Moab, Utah 84532; or phone (435) 259 -5121 at least three (3) working days prior to
the meeting.
Check our website for updates at: www.moabcity.org
1.2.2.1.Documents:3.3.1.Documents:4.
5.
5.1.
Documents:
5.2.
Documents:
5.3.
Documents:
6.
6.1.
6.2.
7.
Grand County Commission
City of Moab Council
Joint Meeting
Held virtually on Zoom
Moab, Utah
See below for instructions to give public comment via Zoom
Citizens are asked to limit their comments to two (2) minutes.
Citizens who have submitted written comments are asked not to provide oral comments. All
written comments are reviewed by the County Commission and City Council prior to the meeting.
Dial: (669) 900 - 6833 Meeting ID: 867 1625 2356 # Password (if needed): 279317 Unmute: *6
Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86716252356?pwd=UDd0dDF0bTdjODQ5UmNoWjNjU1Vadz09
Public comment may be submitted prior to the meeting through the following link on the
City of Moab’s webpage: http://bit.ly/publiccommentform
AGENDA
Tuesday, October 20, 2020
2:00 p.m.
Call to Order - Grand County Commission
Call to Order – City of Moab Council
Citizens to Be Heard (for approximately 10 minutes)
We are receiving public comments by phone and online through Zoom.
Citizens are limited to two (2) minutes for comments.
Dial: (669) 900 - 6833 Meeting ID: 867 1625 2356 # Password (if needed): 279317
Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86716252356?pwd=UDd0dDF0bTdjODQ5UmNoWjNjU1Vadz09
Please note that when joining the meeting, you will be placed in a waiting room and will
be added to the meeting by the moderator. Your comments will be recorded and on
YouTube. (Unmute for public comment: *6)
General Business – Action Items – Discussion and Consideration of:
A. Approving joint resolution to formally initiate proceedings to amend the Grand
County Land Use Code and the Moab Municipal Code to amend those relevant
portions permitting vehicle sales, rentals, or leasing, commercial outdoor
recreational uses, and outfitter, guide services and facilities and to impose a
moratorium on issuing new business licenses for the sale, rental, or leasing of
all-terrain vehicles (ATV), commercial outdoor recreational uses involving an
ATV, and ATV outfitting, guiding, and touring and to impose a moratorium on
issuing new special events permits for ATV vendors, associations, and groups
(Laurie Simonson, City of Moab Attorney and Christina Sloan, Grand County
Attorney)
B. Approving ordinance to establish speed limits for off-highway vehicles (OHV),
not including motorcycles, in the City of Moab (Laurie Simonson, City of Moab
Attorney)
C. Approving ordinance to establish speed limits for off-highway vehicles (OHV),
not including motorcycles, in Grand County (Christina Sloan, Grand County
Attorney)
Discussion Items
D. Discussion on enforcement challenges regarding off-highway vehicles (OHV)
(Laurie Simonson, City of Moab Attorney)
E. Discussion on possible legislative action regarding off-highway vehicle (OHV)
use (Mayor Niehaus, City of Moab)
Adjourn
NOTICE OF SPECIAL ACCOMMODATION DURING PUBLIC MEETINGS. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act,
individuals with special needs requests wishing to attend County Commission meetings are encouraged to contact the County two
(2) business days in advance of these events. Specific accommodations necessary to allow participation of disabled persons will be
provided to the maximum extent possible. T.D.D. (Telecommunication Device for the Deaf) calls can be answered at: (435) 259-1346.
Individuals with speech and/or hearing impairments may also call the Relay Utah by dialing 711. Spanish Relay Utah: 1 (888) 346-
3162
It is hereby the policy of Grand County that elected and appointed representatives, staff and members of Grand County Commission
may participate in meetings through electronic means. Any form of telecommunication may be used, as long as it allows for real
time interaction in the way of discussions, questions and answers, and voting.
At the Grand County Commission meetings/hearings any citizen, property owner, or public official may be heard on any agenda
subject. The number of persons heard and the time allowed for each individual may be limited at the sole discretion of the Chair. On matters
set for public hearings there is a three-minute time limit per person to allow maximum public participation. Upon being recognized by the Chair,
please advance to the microphone, state your full name and address, whom you represent, and the subject matter. No person shall interrupt
legislative proceedings.
Requests for inclusion on an agenda and supporting documentation must be received by 5:00 PM on the Wednesday prior to a
regular Commission Meeting and forty-eight (48) hours prior to any Special Commission Meeting. Information relative to these
meetings/hearings may be obtained at the Grand County Commission’s Office, 125 East Center Street, Moab, Utah; (435) 259-1346.
217 East Center Street
Moab, Utah 84532-2534
Main Number (435) 259-5121
Fax Number (435) 259-4135
Emily S. Niehaus
Tawny Knuteson-Boyd
Rani Derasary
Mike Duncan
Karen Guzman-
Newton
Kalen Jones
Mayor:
Council:
Memorandum
To: Councilmembers and Media
From: Mayor Emily S. Niehaus
Date: 10/16/2020
Re: Special Joint City Council/Grand County Council Meeting
The City of Moab will hold a Special Joint Moab City Council/Grand County Commission
Meeting on Tuesday, October 20, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. The purpose of this meeting will be:
Held virtually on Zoom
Moab, Utah
See below for instructions to give public comment via Zoom
Citizens are asked to limit their comments to two (2) minutes.
Citizens who have submitted written comments are asked not to provide oral comments.
All written comments are reviewed by the County Commission and City Council prior to
the meeting.
Dial: (669) 900 - 6833 Meeting ID: 867 1625 2356 # Password (if needed): 279317
Unmute: *6
Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86716252356?pwd=UDd0dDF0bTdjODQ5UmNoWjNjU1Vadz09
Public comment may be submitted prior to the meeting through the following link on the City of
Moab’s webpage: http://bit.ly/publiccommentform
AGENDA
Tuesday, October 20, 2020
2:00 p.m.
Call to Order - Grand County Commission
Call to Order – City of Moab Council
Citizens to Be Heard (Until 2:10 p.m.)
We are receiving public comments by phone and online through Zoom.
Citizens are limited to two (2) minutes for comments.
Dial: (669) 900 - 6833 Meeting ID: 867 1625 2356 # Password (if needed): 279317
Link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86716252356?pwd=UDd0dDF0bTdjODQ5UmNoWjNjU1Vadz09
DocuSign Envelope ID: 783BE3B8-4B35-44FE-8D88-B6143BF3BB94
Please note that when joining the meeting, you will be placed in a waiting room
and will be added to the meeting by the moderator. Your comments will be
recorded and on YouTube. (Unmute for public comment: *6)
General Business – Action Items – Discussion and Consideration of:
A. Approving resolution to formally initiate proceedings to amend the Grand County
Land Use Code and the Moab Municipal Code to amend those relevant portions
permitting vehicle sales, rentals, or leasing and outfitter, guide services and
facilities and to impose a moratorium on issuing new business licenses for the
sale, rental, or leasing of all-terrain vehicles (ATV) and utility type vehicles (UTV)
and ATV/UTV guiding and touring (Laurie Simonson, City of Moab Attorney and
Christina Sloan, Grand County Attorney)
B. Approving ordinance to establish speed limits for off-highway vehicles (OHV) in
the City of Moab (Laurie Simonson, City of Moab Attorney)
C. Approving ordinance to establish speed limits for off-highway vehicles (OHV) in
Grand County (Christina Sloan, Grand County Attorney)
Discussion Items
D. Discussion on enforcement challenges regarding OHVs (Laurie Simonson, City
of Moab Attorney)
E. Discussion on possible legislative action regarding OHV use (Mayor Niehaus,
City of Moab)
Adjourn
Mayor Emily S. Niehaus
Consistent with provisions of the Utah Open and Public Meetings Act, Utah Code Ann. § 54-2-
207(4), the Moab City Council Chair has issued written determinations supporting the decision to
convene electronic meetings of the Council without a physical anchor location. Due to the health
and safety risks related to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and considering public health orders
limiting in-person gatherings, Moab City Council will continue to hold meetings by electronic
means. The public is invited and encouraged to view the Council’s electronic meetings by viewing
the City’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCl00z0Zgdmz4y1FoI0l7CJA.
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, individuals needing special accommodations during this meeting should
notify the Recorder’s Office at 217 East Center Street, Moab, Utah 84532; or phone (435) 259-5121 at least three (3) working days
prior to the meeting.
DocuSign Envelope ID: 783BE3B8-4B35-44FE-8D88-B6143BF3BB94
AGENDA SUMMARY
GRAND COUNTY COMMISSION AND CITY OF MOAB COUNCIL
JOINT MEETING
OCTOBER 20, 2020
Agenda Item: A
TITLE:
Approving joint resolution to formally initiate proceedings to amend the
Grand County Land Use Code and the Moab Municipal Code to amend those
relevant portions permitting vehicle sales, rentals, or leasing, commercial
outdoor recreational uses, and outfitter, guide services and facilities and to
impose a moratorium on issuing new business licenses for the sale, rental, or
leasing of all-terrain vehicles (ATV), commercial outdoor recreational uses
involving an ATV, and ATV outfitting, guiding, and touring and to impose a
moratorium on issuing new special events permits for ATV vendors,
associations, and groups
FISCAL IMPACT:
PRESENTER(S):
Christina Sloan, Grand County Attorney, and Laurie Simonson, City of
Moab Attorney with Mary McGann, Chair of County Commission and City
of Moab Mayor Niehaus
Prepared By:
Mallory Nassau
Asst. Commission
Administrator
FOR OFFICE USE ONLY:
Attorney Review:
SUGGESTED MOTION:
I move to approve the joint resolution to formally initiate proceedings to
amend the Grand County Land Use Code and the Moab Municipal Code to
amend those relevant portions permitting vehicle sales, rentals, or leasing,
commercial outdoor recreational uses, and outfitter, guide services and
facilities and to impose a moratorium on issuing new business licenses for
the sale, rental, or leasing of all-terrain vehicles, commercial outdoor
recreational uses involving an all-terrain vehicles, and all-terrain vehicles
outfitting, guiding, and touring and to impose a moratorium on issuing new
special events permits for all-terrain vehicles vendors, associations, and
groups.
BACKGROUND:
In the fall of 2020, the City of Moab and Grand County received a record
number of public comments objecting to noise impacts from all-terrain
vehicles (ATVs).
There has been a recent increase in business license applications in the City
and County for sales, rentals, and licensing of ATVs and related guide
services that serve non-residents. The rapid growth of ATV rentals and
tours has resulted in a sharp increase in noise impacts to the residents of the
City and County during all hours of the day and night.
Several popular ATV trails in the City and County are accessed through
residential neighborhoods, including the vast trail systems located in the
Sand Flats Recreation Area and those accessed via Kane Creek Boulevard,
Spanish Valley Drive, Spanish Trail Road, Westwater Drive, and Murphy
Lane, which increases the impact of ATV noise on residents. Numerous
studies have found that noise pollution is related to a wide range of physical
and mental health issues. It is the duty of the City and County to prioritize
citizens’ safety, health, morals, and welfare.
In 2019, the County adopted a Noise Ordinance (Ord. 602) that defines
noise as “any Sound that is unwanted and causes or tends to cause an
adverse psychological or physiological effect on human beings.” However,
the County’s Noise Ordinance has been ineffective at reducing the impact
of ATV noise because measuring the noise emitted by a moving vehicle on
roads and highways is impractical given surrounding ambient noise and
equipment limitations.
The Grand County Land Use Code (LUC) and the City of Moab Code are
occasionally modified to further the purposes of the respective Land Use,
Development, and Management Acts and align the same with changing
community conditions and state law.
Currently, the LUC permits vehicle sales, rental, or leasing facilities and
outfitter, guide services and facilities in Sections 3.1, 3.4.9H, and 3.4.9K,
and the City Code permits “vehicle sales and rentals,” “outdoor recreational
uses, commercial,” and “recreational tour companies, outfitters and guide
services” in Sections 17.21.20(A)(18), 17.24.20(A)(26), 17.27.20(A)(38),
17.31.20(A)(13) and (14), and 17.32.20(A)(4)(h).
As provided in Utah Code §§ 10-1-203 and 17-53-216, the City and County
adopted ordinances which provide for the licensing of businesses within
their jurisdictions for the purpose of regulation and includes the power to
deny, revoke, or suspend such licenses, as codified in Chapter 5 of the City
Code and Chapter 5.04 of the Grand County Codified Ordinances.
Under similar authority and in exercise of their general police powers, the
City and County have the authority to issue special events permits and
regulate the same, which authority includes the power to deny, revoke, or
suspend such permits, as codified in Chapter 8.16 of the Grand County
Codified Ordinances and Chapter 4.11 of the City Code.
Utah Code §§ 10-9a-509 and 17-27a-508 permit the City and County to
deny approval of a land use application submitted within an 180-day period
after initiation of formal proceedings to amend applicable land use
regulations.
Under Utah law, the City and County may exercise powers and perform
functions that are reasonably related to the safety, health, morals, and welfare
of its inhabitants. For the reasons articulated above and under the authority
set forth herein, the Grand County Commission and the City of Moab
Council find that compelling, countervailing public interests justify the
temporary prohibition of new business licenses for sale, rental, or leasing of
ATVs and ATV outfitting, guiding, and touring, and new special events
permits for the assemblage of vendors, enthusiasts, or users of ATVs,
including associations, groups, and individuals; until such time that either
body ends the prohibition.
ATTACHMENT(S):
- Draft Resolution
- Grand County Public Comment Emails Received
- City of Moab Public Comment Emails Received
GRAND COUNTY, UTAH
COUNTY RESOLUTION NO._______ (2020)
CITY OF MOAB, UTAH
CITY RESOLUTION NO. 41-2020
TO FORMALLY INITIATE PROCEEDINGS TO AMEND THE GRAND COUNTY
LAND USE CODE AND THE MOAB MUNICIPAL CODE TO AMEND THOSE
RELEVANT PORTIONS PERMITTING VEHICLE SALES, RENTALS, OR LEASING,
COMMERCIAL OUTDOOR RECREATIONAL USES, AND OUTFITTER, GUIDE
SERVICES AND FACILITIES
AND
TO IMPOSE A TEMPORARY MORATORIUM ON ISSUING NEW BUSINESS
LICENSES FOR THE SALE, RENTAL, OR LEASING OF ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLES
(ATVS), COMMERCIAL OUTDOOR RECREATIONAL USES INVOLVING AN ATV,
AND ATV OUTFITTING, GUIDING, AND TOURING
AND
TO IMPOSE A TEMPORARY MORATORIUM ON ISSUING NEW SPECIAL EVENTS
PERMITS FOR ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLE VENDORS, ASSOCIATIONS, AND
GROUPS
WHEREAS, Utah Code § 41-6a-1509 permits the operation of street-legal all-terrain vehicles on
County roads and City streets (subject to certain requirements);
WHEREAS, Chapter 9a of Title 10 and Chapter 27a of Title 17 of the Utah Code authorizes the
City of Moab and Grand County to enact ordinances, resolutions, and rules and to enter into other
forms of land use controls and development agreements that the County and City consider
necessary or appropriate for the use and development of land within the County and City of Moab,
including ordinances, resolutions, rules, restrictive covenants, easements, and development
agreements governing: uses; density; open spaces; structures; buildings; energy-efficiency; light
and air; air quality; transportation and public or alternative transportation; infrastructure; street
and building orientation and width requirements; public facilities; fundamental fairness in land
use regulation; and considerations of surrounding land uses to balance the foregoing purposes
with a landowner's private property interests and associated statutory and constitutional
protections;
WHEREAS, Chapter 9a of Title 10 and Chapter 27a of Title 17 of the Utah Code requires the
City of Moab and Grand County to provide for the health, safety, and welfare of its residents;
improve the peace and good order, comfort, convenience, and aesthetics of the County and City;
protect the tax base; foster the state's agricultural and other industries; promote the orderly
development of urban and nonurban development; provide fundamental fairness in land use
regulation; and facilitate orderly growth and allow growth in a variety of housing types;
WHEREAS, the previously named Grand County Council (“County Council”) adopted the
Grand County General Plan Update on February 7, 2012 with Resolution No. 2976 and adopted
the Grand County Land Use Code (“LUC”) on January 4, 1999 with Ordinance No. 299, as
amended, for the purpose of regulating land use, subdivision and development in Grand County
in accordance with the General Plan;
WHEREAS, the Moab City Council (“City Council”) adopted the City of Moab General Plan
Update on July 11, 2017 with Resolution No. 28 (2017) and adopted the General Ordinances of
Moab, Utah in 1958, as amended (“City Code”);
WHEREAS, from time to time, the County and City adopt ordinances to modify the LUC and
City Code to further the purposes of the respective Land Use, Development, and Management
Acts and align the same with changing community conditions and state law;
WHEREAS, while the County and City General Plans acknowledge the important contribution
of tourism to the local economy, it also states that business development shall be ecologically
responsible, fit the community and the needs and preferences of the residents, and be designed to
avoid damaging natural amenities and resources. The General Plans also prioritizes a balance
between economic sectors and recreational users to enhance the local recreational, scenic, and
cultural amenities to attract and accommodate visitors;
WHEREAS, specifically, the County General Plan states a preference development that does not
degrade the natural quiet of the surrounding landscape; and, specifically, the City General Plan
seeks in Goal 7: Aural Environment: “to reduce noise levels so residents can peacefully enjoy
their property and provide a pleasant environment for businesses and visitors;”
WHEREAS, the LUC permits vehicle sales, rental, or leasing facilities and outfitter, guide
services and facilities in Sections 3.1, 3.4.9H, and 3.4.9K, and the City Code permits “vehicle
sales and rentals,” “outdoor recreational uses, commercial,” and“recreational tour companies,
outfitters and guide services” in Sections 17.21.20(A)(18), 17.24.20(A)(26), 17.27.20(A)(38),
17.31.20(A)(13) and (14), and 17.32.20(A)(4)(h);
WHEREAS, as provided in Utah Code §§ 10-1-203 and 17-53-216, the City and County adopted
ordinances which provide for the licensing of businesses within their jurisdictions for the purpose
of regulation and includes the power to deny, revoke, or suspend such licenses, as codified in
Chapter 5 of the City Code and Chapter 5.04 of the Grand County Codified Ordinances;
WHEREAS, under similar authority and in exercise of their general police powers, the City and
County have the authority to issue special events permits and regulate the same, which authority
includes the power to deny, revoke, or suspend such permits, as codified in Chapter 8.16 of the
Grand County Codified Ordinances and Chapter 4.11 of the City Code;
WHEREAS, there has been a recent increase in business license applications in the County and
City for sales, rentals, and licensing of All-Terrain Vehicles and related guide services that serve
non-residents (“ATV rentals and tours”);
WHEREAS, the rapid growth of ATV rentals and tours in the County and City has resulted in a
sharp increase in noise impacts to the residents of the County and City during all hours of the day
and night;
WHEREAS, numerous studies have found: noise pollution increases anxiety, depression, high
blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke; small increases in unwanted ambient sound have
significant health effects; and noise aggravates health conditions by inducing higher levels of
stress;1
WHEREAS, at least one additional study has found that people living in areas with more road
traffic noise were 25 percent more likely than those living in quieter neighborhoods to have
symptoms of depression;2
WHEREAS, studies have shown that continuous noise in excess of 30 dB disturbs sleep, which
is well documented to be a prerequisite for good physiologic and mental functioning in healthy
individuals,3 and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency sound guidance for the protection of
human health and welfare in rural areas is 55 dB;4
WHEREAS, during operation on streets and roads, most All-Terrain Vehicles in the state of
Utah (not built to California noise standards) produce decibel levels louder than 70 dBA and
often between 85 and 100 dBA;5
WHEREAS, the County adopted a Noise Ordinance in 2019 via Ordinance No. 602 that
acknowledges this science and defines noise as “any Sound that is unwanted and causes or tends
to cause an adverse psychological or physiological effect on human beings.” However, the
County’s Noise Ordinance has been ineffective at reducing the impact of ATV noise because
measuring the noise emitted by a moving vehicle on roads and highways is impractical given
surrounding ambient noise and equipment limitations;
1 Floud, Medication use in relation to noise from aircraft and road traffic in six European countries: results of the
HYENA study, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21084328/; Schmidt, Effect of nighttime aircraft noise exposure
on endothelial function and stress hormone release in healthy adults
https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/34/45/3508/435199; Hahad, Annoyance to Different Noise Sources is
Associated With Atrial Fibrillation, https://www.internationaljournalofcardiology.com/article/S0167-
5273(17)37174-7/fulltext;
2 Orban, Residential Road Traffic Noise and High Depressive Symptoms after Five Years of Follow-up: Results
from the Heinz Nixdorf Recall Study, https://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/doi/10.1289/ehp.1409400
3 Jariwala, Noise Pollution and Human Health: A Review,
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/319329633_Noise_Pollution_Human_Health_A_Review
4 Harrison, Rock Creek Enduro Sound Tests, Eldorado National Forest, USDA Forest Service Special Report, May
1994.
5 Horse Farms Forever, ATV Engine Noise - the Sound of Science, https://www.horsefarmsforever.com/lets-have-a-
sound-test/; Rowley, Are ATVs A Noisy Nuisance Or A Right?,
https://shawangunkjournal.com/2014/03/27/news/1403273.html
WHEREAS, the Moab valley is narrow and surrounded by sandstone cliffs which cause noise
generated by ATV rentals and tours to reverberate valley-wide, which increases the impact of
ATV rentals and tours on residents and visitors;
WHEREAS, several popular ATV trails are accessed through residential neighborhoods in the
City and County, including the vast trail systems located in the Sand Flats Recreation Area and
those accessed via Kane Creek Boulevard, Spanish Valley Drive, Spanish Trail Road, Westwater
Drive, and Murphy Lane, which increases the impact of ATV rentals and tours on residents and
visitors;
WHEREAS, market conditions and the boom in ATV rentals and tours have impacted other
recreational user groups and associated economic activity, including mountain biking, hiking,
rafting, and climbing, which economic sectors thrive in natural quiet;
WHEREAS, in the Fall of 2020, the City and County received a historical number of public
comments objecting to noise impacts from ATV rentals and tours (and related special events),
which public comments are included in the record for the joint meeting of the City and County
on October 20, 2020;
WHEREAS, Utah Code §§ 10-9a-509 and 17-27a-508 permit the City and County to deny
approval of a land use application submitted within an 180-day period after initiation of formal
proceedings to amend applicable land use regulations;
WHEREAS, under Utah law, the City and County may exercise powers and perform functions
that are reasonably related to the safety, health, morals, and welfare of its inhabitants; and
WHEREAS, for the reasons articulated above and under the authority set forth herein, the Grand
County Commission and the Moab City Council find that compelling, countervailing public
interests justify the temporary prohibition of new business licenses for sale, rental, or leasing of
All-Terrain Vehicles and ATV outfitting, guiding, and touring, and new special events permits
for the assemblage of vendors, enthusiasts, or users of All-Terrain Vehicles, including
associations, groups, and individuals; until such time that either body ends the prohibition;
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Grand County Commission and Moab City
Council do hereby:
1. Formally initiate proceedings to amend the Grand County Land Use Code and the Moab
Municipal Code to amend those relevant portions permitting All-Terrain Vehicle sales, rentals,
or leasing and outfitter, guide services and facilities, including LUC Sections 3.1, 3.4.9H, and
3.4.9K and City Code Sections 17.21.20, 17.24.20, 17.27.20, 17.31.20, and 17.32.20; and
2. Impose a temporary moratorium on the issuance of new business licenses for the Sale,
Rental, or Leasing of All-Terrain Vehicles and ATV Outfitting, Guiding, and Touring, until
such time that either body ends the prohibition; and
3. Impose a moratorium on the issuance of new special events permits for the assemblage of
vendors, enthusiasts, or users of All-Terrain Vehicles, including associations, groups, and
individuals, until such time that either body ends the prohibition;
4. Definitions. As used herein:
A. “All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs or ATV)” shall mean all-terrain Type I, II, and III
vehicles as defined under Utah Code §§ 41-6a-102 and 41-22-2;
B. “Outfitting, Guiding, and Touring” shall mean accompanying customers and
guests in an ATV, and/or outfitting a customer or guest with an ATV, whether driving the
vehicle or not, whether or not monetary compensation is exchanged; and
C. “Sale, Rental, and Leasing” shall include the business use of All-Terrain Vehicles
for customers, guests, or vendors or any other commercial activity involving an All-Terrain
Vehicles whether or not monetary compensation is exchanged.
D. “Special Events” and“Special Events Permits” shall have the same meaning as set
forth in Chapter 8.16 of the Grand County Codified Ordinances and Chapter 4.11 of the City
Code.
APPROVED by the Grand County Commission and the Moab City Council in a joint public
meeting on October 20, 2020 by the following vote:
GRAND COUNTY COMMISSION:
Those voting aye:_____________________________________
Those voting nay:____________________________________
Those absent:_______________________________________
ATTEST:
_________________________ ______________________________
Mary McGann, Chair Quinn Hall, Clerk/Auditor
MOAB CITY COUNCIL:
Those voting aye:_____________________________________
Those voting nay:____________________________________
Those absent:_______________________________________
ATTEST:
_________________________ ______________________________
Emily Niehaus, Mayor Sommar Johnson, Clerk/Recorder
Emails to Grand County about UTV noise
Date Citizen Email comments
10-4-2020 Pete Gross Dear Council:
The agenda for the October 6, 2020 meeting mentions a discussion (Item N) of "possible action modifying the
Rally on the Rocks event stipulations" with no further details.
This event is not Rally on the Streets of Moab. It is not Rally Up and Down Main Street. It is not Racket in the
Neighborhoods or Ruckus in the Parking Lots or Rally on the Crypto. The event is certainly not Assault the
Ear Drums all hours of the day and night.
Please stipulate that the Rally on the Rocks live up to its name. Rally only on the rocks. Don't rally in our city
and our neighborhoods and assault our hearing at all hours.
Do we even want this event? We already have unofficial UTV rallies all thru town every week.
10-4-2020 John Gould Council Members,
I'm hopeful you are as aware as I that the UTV situation in the county is out of control and must be
addressed. Rally on the Rocks (ROTR) is a particularly glaring example of the problem it promotes.
Please, drive a wooden stake through the heart of this mind-boggling annual attack on our community. Kill off
ROTR. Thanks for the job you do,
10-4-2020 Sarah Barstow Dear Council Members,
I will keep this short. I am writing to beg you to not permit the Rally on the Rocks event. Not with
more restrictions. Not with any monetary donation to the County. Not at all. Even though it's permitted
in the county, it affects everyone who lives in the city and in the valley.
UTV noise in town is to the point where it is infringing on our quality of life. This is clear across
every neighborhood in Moab, and isn't a complaint just lodged by "liberals". Town has become
increasingly loud . . . and this is even without the Rally on the Rocks event. Locals think so, but so
do tourists.
It is my understanding that any permit for an event in town is given with the premise that it won't
affect the quality of life for the people who reside here. This is just not the case with this event. And
frankly, it's just not possible until UTVs are required to be less noisy in order to drive all around town.
There is adequate reason to deny this permit. Please do what's right and not allow even more noise
pollution to infiltrate our small town.
Best, Sarah
Sarah Barstow-owner, The Rave'N Image
Updated:10-16-2020
10-4-2020 Mary Tiger Keogh Dear Council members,
Please do ALL you can to eliminate the incessant noise of UTV’s that we are all living with. It’s just
not healthy to have nearly constant loud noise around us.
10-4-2020 Candace Magnolia I am writing regarding plans for ROTR for next year.
I am opposed to this event taking place in 2021. The abrasive and abusive noise level, lack of policy
enforcement of ordinances that we have in place in this town and lack of any restriction in the
amount of people participating in this event are all negatives that adversely impact a big percentage
of the Moab community.
10-5-2020 Erin Groves Dear Grand County Council,
It is my understanding that a discussion is set for this week regarding future permits for Rally on the
Rocks. While I don’t know the details behind what brings their event to the discussion table at this
time, I want to share my frustration with this event and my strong feelings that this event does not
belong in our town.
No matter the number of rules imposed on them, the type of patron it draws seems, by nature, to
enjoy rule breaking and rowdy behavior in ways that negatively impact quality of life for locals, far
more so than any other event (including Jeep Week, which is very well regulated). Razors are
already so loud and this particular event draws hundreds of late night riders who keep us awake
zooming up and down Mill Creek at all hours of the night, no matter that their sanctioned events are
usually over by sunset.
I believe it was the travel council who recently published an informational video for razor users in
Moab. It underlined the need for respecting our community and keeping it peaceful, clean, and
protected for future generations. I appreciate this very much, and think the continuation of this
particularly disruptive event flies in the face of the responsible messages the county and tourism
board are otherwise trying to promote.
Thank you for your time,
10-5-2020 Lynette Merrill Please Please Please - we need peace and quiet - Keep them off our streets.
10-5-2020 Sarah Topp [Rally on the Rocks] Council members,
Please do NOT permit this event in the future. It is extremely disruptive to the people who live here to have
these machines roaring around town all hours of the day and night.
10-5-2020 Pauline Masse Dear , Council.... please do something about the noise from UTV .... it is unbearable ...this is very
much a quality of life issue.
10-5-2020 Sallie Hodges Dear Council,
On the agenda for the Councils meeting on Tuesday is a discussion concerning the ‘Rally in the
Rocks’ event.
Could I suggest this event be encouraged to move to Monticello where it would be more welcome?
UTV’s in Moab are now out of control and the community is really upset.
Sincerely,
10-5-2020 Sarah Topp Council members,
It's bad enough we have noisy machines on our streets, now I'm hearing and seeing powered parachutes
flying low over my home on Murphy Lane while I'm relaxing in my back yard (!), up Mill Creek, over Kayenta
Heights, over Spanish Valley.
They sound just like ATV's! Please put a stop to this nonsense before rental companies latch onto this "new
recreational opportunity" and our skies are full of these annoying machines!
10-5-2020 Eve Tallman Dear Council Members--I see that ROTR is on the agenda with no supporting materials
for public review as far as I know.
Please decline to approve this event. As we all know, Enough is Enough!
Respectfully,
10-5-2020 Carrie Bailey Dear Council,
I see that you will be addressing the Rally On the Rocks event for ATVs at your next meeting.
Please consider the effects these vehicles are having on our residential areas and our downtown city
streets and highways. The noise, fast and reckless driving, disregard of speed limits and traffic
signage is pretty much uncontrolled. Local law enforcement seems over-whelmed. I can remember
a time in the past when the increase in visitation forced our community to call in state highway patrol
and helicopters to help with the out of control situation. I hope we will not have to do that again..
I know that not all of the chaos is from ATVs, but addressing this event with the community in mind
would be a good start for a discussion of the quality of life for people who live here and the quality of
the environment for the visitor. I have a hard time believing that those businesses who have invested
in our county do not worry about the effect the noise and negative atmosphere will eventually have
on our tourist economy. How about the effect on homes and their value? I had an Aunt who lived
near Disneyland in Anaheim California, and as kids we envied her living close to the amusement
park. She always told it us " Yes. it's great, but there are lots of reasons why you don't want to live
right next to the Magic Kingdom." I hope we all don't end up living IN a Disneyland.
Grand County folks, along with LE who admit that when you call to make a report, , are really feeling
over-whelmed. Please give us some attention. Thanks
10-5-2020 Beth Malloy Dear Council Members,
keep the stipulations that were approved previously for ROTR.
The impact of the UTV noise has greatly reduced the quality of life in Moab. I encourage you to
require all UTV's to be have mufflers. Thank you,
10-5-2020 Lisa Paterson Dear County Council Members,
You will be discussing Rally on the Rocks at your next council meeting. Agenda item N ("Discussion
and possible action modifying the Rally on the Rocks event stipulations" ) gives no details as to what
the possible modifying actions might be. I sincerely suggest that you modify everything you can to
significantly reduce the tremendous noise generated by the UTVs, RZRsand other such vehicles that
will be attending this event.
Please require that all UTV vehicles are trailered to the event site and so are not driven through town
or through Spanish Valley as participants go back and forth from the event to hotels and restaurants
in town.
Grand County has become increasingly noisy day and night. Actions must be taken to preserve
quality of life for residents of Grand County. Please start with this event and continue to do everything
possible to reduce the penetrating noise!
Thank you so much for all that you are attention to this matter. I greatly appreciate the time and
energy you give that benefits Grand County residents.
Sincerely,
10-5-2020 Marsha Marshall Honorable Council,
Due to the noise in the residential areas in Moab, I support postponing Rally on the Rocks for this
year until the event addresses our community concerns. There are no easy answers for the
prevention of noise pollution, and our State Representatives need to be contacted. The State
Legislature originally passed the bill allowing UTV and ATVs to be street legal, now they need to
address the noise problems that have come with this decision. As a former member of the Throttle
Down Committee much time has been put in trying to deal with this issue and it may be a
manufacturing problem, but there also has to be ways to block the noise in neighborhoods. It is
affecting our quality of life and property values. I support tourism and the economic value it provides,
but I ask those involved in the noise pollution to help address this problem. I respectfully ask them if
their homes were being invaded by increased volumes of noise would they not become frustrated?
Walk in our shoes. Respectfully,
10-5-2020 Tom & Teri Mader Dear Grand County Council:
This is just a quick note regarding UTV use in our county. We have no problem with UTV’s if they are
quiet and if they stay on established UTV trails. Noisy UTVs’ degrade the backcountry experience for
others. Off trail use creates very ugly damage to our beautiful terrain and is very difficult to repair.
Sincerely,
10-5-2020 William Groff Council,
Please keep the stipulations previously approved for the Rally On The Rocks....the noise is getting
very hard to live with.
Thank you
10-5-2020 Jon Kovash (Rally on the Rocks) Many locals have lost faith in the notion that law enforcement and “education” can
tame this beast. Please consider putting an end to this event.
10-5-2020 Nancy Kurtz Dear Councilmembers,
Please count me in as a citizen advocate for keeping the stipulations to curb the enthusiasm of rally
on the rocks and like events.
In a similar vein, our streets are noisier than ever. This topic is definitely up for serious discussion on
how we can soften the impact of the motorized hordes. (Disclaimer - I want my friends to stay in
town; they’re all threatening to leave if this keeps up. Yes, it’s that bad.)
Thank you so much,
10-5-2020 Mary Moran Dear County Commissioners,
Please leave all stipulations in place for the Rally on the Rocks event.
The noise increase in the Moab Valley and surroundings in just the last few years is unbelievable. I
recently sent regrets to a long-time resident, moving because his wife got a job elsewhere, because I
know he loves it here. He said he would miss Moab, but certainly not miss the UTVS rumbling down
the street till late every night. He is not the first Moab resident that I've known who has moved away
because of the increase in noise, mostly due to UTVs and ATVS.
Now there are those motorized hang-gliders increasingly buzzing around over our homes and over or
within our canyons near town. They will be the next fight against noise, I'm afraid.
Please do everything that you can to decrease noise levels in the Moab Valley. I know that you all
work incredibly hard and that what I'm asking for is a large order, but thank you for doing whatever
you can. Sincerely,
10-5-2020 Aneth Wight Hello Commissioners!
I understand that ROTR is on the agenda ... I would like to request that at least the rules/stipulations from
previous years be included in the new permit, if you have to approve said request.
The UTV noise in this town has been appalling this year. I am lucky to live in a very quiet corner, but now we
too have to listen to the buzzing around like angry mosquitos ALL the time. And by "all the time", I do mean
all the time --- every day of the week, and every hour of those days! If we (Moab residents) must host hordes
of these beastly things, can't they at least have the courtesy to put mufflers on when visiting "our"
town/desert?? I don't see that as an imposition.
Thank you for your service,
10-5-2020 Kaitlin Thomas Dear Grand County Council,
I am writing to express concerns over the incredibly invasive noise produced by ATVs/OHVs/etc (not
Jeeps). For a long time I've embraced the idea that motorized vehicles are a part of recreation and
the economy here regardless of the fact that I have zero desire to recreate in that way. However, I
am increasingly troubled by the aggressive noise they produce and the overall attitude of operators
that they do not need to obey traffic laws like the rest of us.
After attempting to sit outside in my backyard after dark and hearing them several streets away as if
they were parked in my driveway, watching/hearing 30 of them speed by on 400E on Sunday
morning while giving water to the YGP chickens with insane decibel levels, seeing parades of them
speeding through intersections down main street, and groups of them thinking that just the leader
stopping at a stop sign is enough for the whole group, all just this last week, I'm over it. And it's not
going away. It's getting worse.
I understand rental companies do their best to educate renters on the use of these machines. I
understand legislation at the State level is what makes these vehicles allowed on the road. I sincerely
believe private owners are the problem. Please consider attempting to find a happy medium by
advocating for allowing rental companies to allow rental machines on the roads but not for private
owners. They should tow to the trailhead. A noise ordinance is practically impossible to enforce but if
rental companies have to have vehicles returned by 8pm, or something of the like, there's a chance.
This is impacting my quality of life in Moab immensely. I feel completely overwhelmed most of the
time when I drive and I grew up navigating Boston traffic. It adds to a sense of feeling trapped and it
makes me want to get out of here which is sad because I feel like I contribute a lot to my community
and have for over 10 years. You will lose residents if this doesn't resolve in some way. This machine
noise is not comparable to the hissing of bus brakes on public transportation or the honking of taxis
and traffic or someone cruising with their stereo blasting, all things commonly found in an urban
landscape. This noise is aggressive, invasive, and repulsive and "throttle down in town" signs and
reducing speed limits are not enough.
Separately but related, I understand Rally on the Rocks permit is up for consideration again. I urge
you to consider the impact this event will have on people who live here year round, in combination
with all of the other motorized recreation that will inevitably be taking place simultaneously. I know
the organizers are decent people that have donated to Moab, but honestly, it's too much. If you do
move forward to approve perhaps you could require towing to trailhead as a stipulation.
Thanks for reading. I appreciate all you do. Thank you,
10-5-2020 Laura Hines Dear members of the council,
In my time in Moab (many years), the UTVs have been a major annoyance to me and my family. I
used to live on Spanish Valley Drive and the noise from UTVs would wake my sleeping babies. I
would run out with headlamps in the evening and try to slow them down. They'd flash their lights at
me and race by faster. Now I live on Murphy Lane. Many nights I am jolted awake by the sounds of
UTVs at 2, 3 in the morning. A friend says she calls them bumblebees, and I tried that, because I
love bumblebees, but UTV noise is not pleasing. It causes anxiety. In a world already full of anxiety,
it's not helpful. I would like to see more effort to reduce their noise in town. Are mufflers a possibility?
Can they be illegal on roads? Can they stick only to UTV trails?
Also, Sand Flats road (when it turns to gravel) and the Geyser pass road become heavily
washboarded, more so than in the past. It has to be the UTVs with their bouncy suspension as they
zip up and down the roads. Last weekend I drove my children up the Geyser pass to hike in the
aspens. The Geyser road was so washboarded, I had to drive extra slow in 4x4 in my full size Chevy.
Many UTVS came racing down as I was driving up. I actually stopped 2 razors because they whipped
around corners so fast, kicking up gravel and dust, and skidding. I asked them politely to slow down,
telling them the washboards are awful.
Let's make some changes so it's better for all of us who live here. Please let's reduce the noise and
slow the UTVs down. Thank you.
10-5-2020 Travis Nauman Dear Commission Members,
I'd like to make some comments to help provide perspective on any changes to be made for Rally on
the Rocks and all the events in town related to motor vehicles. First of all, the stipulations the council
adopted last year are really just a start on finding the appropriate balance of motorized off road
vehicle events in the Moab area. I am opposed to any efforts to loosen those stipulations, and
particularly with regards to expanding the number of participants.
There are many in our community who feel over-run by the noise and impacts that are related to
these vehicles. What is unique to this user group is the disproportionate cost and damage their hobby
inflicts on the people, soils, plants, infrastructure (massive trailers, etc), and climate of the
community. You can see the dust rise on certain weeks and the noise that comes with it is just as
unsettling. You have to see, breath and listen to this hobby more so than any other even when you
are not partaking. Pile that on top of burning fossil fuels all day long when we are in a full climate
crisis.
Just yesterday I was out riding Mag 7 to Portal and witnessed an OHV driver out spinning out of
control drifting around a turn going incredibly fast just down the hill from the Portal TH on the Rim.
They were recklessly flying around curves and sending soil 20 feet in the air, and then they were
flipping, multiple times before the OHV came to rest on its side. The crew I was with could not believe
what we were seeing. We got there and saw a helmet strewn 15 feet from the OHV. By a stroke of
luck the guys inside walked away.
Look, I know not all OHV drivers are in this camp, but these are destructive machines and it doesn't
take much for one person to do a lot of damage in one. My perspective as a resident who lives close
enough to sand flats road to know when these folks are in town is to do as much as possible not to
incentivise these types of events and to clamp down on excessive motor noise as much as is legally
possible.
Thank you for your consideration and public service,
10-5-2020 Caryn McGinty Dear Council,
I am writing to request that you not cave to the Rally on the Rocks requests that Moab ease
restrictions. Even on a normal day, UTV traffic is inescapably loud. To then add a huge event such as
Rally on the Rocks without requiring concessions such as mufflers to help mitigate the noise will not
only frustrate countless local voters, but it will also deter tourists who come to Moab for peace and
quiet. Moab has plenty of other, quieter tourists; we do not need to cave to the whims of a noisy
group such as Rally on the Rocks. They should be given a choice: either comply with the perfectly
reasonable requests of the Moab community or take their rowdy rally elsewhere. Thank you,
10-5-2020 Clif Koontz Grand County Commission- On behalf of Ride with Respect (and not any other entity), I would like to
comment on the permit stipulations for Rally On The Rocks.
RwR supports the county taking a critical look at proposals for special events, but please keep in
mind that organizers have the potential to make visitation more community-friendly than casual
visitation would be when done independently. Organizers provide you with a way of reaching many
visitors. Also if permitting becomes too onerous, it may eliminate the permitted events, but meanwhile
non-permitted events will take place. The resulting handful of "gatherings" that bend the rules (or
simply stage out of San Juan County) would be worse than dealing with an organizer who is willing to
operate above board. A reasonable organizer can become a critical partner, especially for activities
that have a greater potential of negative impacts.
With one exception (noted below), we generally agree with the comments that organizer Sean
Reddish made during the September 15th Commission meeting, which requested removing three
stipulations that had been added to what the Special Events Coordinating Committee originally
approved.
1.Requiring participants to refrain from driving side-by-side (SxS) vehicles through residential areas
at night doesn't work because almost every street in Spanish Valley is residential and because many
participants are using a SxS as their primary means of transportation for the week. You can tell the
organizer to ask his participants to minimize noise especially at night but, beyond that, it's an issue
that calls for a more comprehensive solution.
2.Requiring the organizer to make a certain-sized donation to nonprofit groups, however important
their work may be, seems to undermine the spirit of donations. If you think that it's appropriate to
require public contributions from events, you could slightly increase fees and perhaps direct them to
specific uses (like the Motorized Trails Committee for trail work, but of course I'm biased). However
the idea of requiring a single event organizer to make major "donations" seems a step too far.
3.Requiring participants to use vehicles that are "OEM standard or quieter" isn't quite on the mark
either, but with a couple of tweaks, we are optimistic that all parties would support it. First, I don't
think that "OEM standard" has a specific legal meaning. I'm not just referring to the fact that a sound
standard should specify the procedure of measurement. I'm also referring to the potential
interpretation that "OEM standard" means the volume of sound from a stock (unmodified) vehicle,
which varies from model to model, as some models are much quieter than the federal standard while
others just barely comply. Obviously it'd be unfair to hold one participant to a quieter standard just
because his or her machine was quieter than other models in stock trim.
Hopefully by "OEM standard" you were referring to the federal standard itself that all SxS models
must meet. However, because compliance with this standard can only be determined in a lab (not on
the street), Grand County should instead refer to the SAE J1287 that industry groups developed
specifically to make the federal standard testable on the street (or trail). Using the SAE J1287
procedure (which is a stationary sound-testing procedure often called the "twenty-inch test"), the
standard of 96 dB ensures that any failing vehicle (exceeding 96 dB) would also fail the federal
standard, which is what makes the SAE J1287 procedure and the 96 dB standard defensible for any
state or local jurisdiction to require.
Second, while we support requiring participants to get their vehicle's sound measured during the
event, we do not support requiring their vehicles to meet the 96 dB standard in 2021. The
participants, along with vendors and SxS enthusiasts across the state, will be far more receptive to
this standard if they are given time to familiarize themselves and adapt to it. I predict that most
participant vehicles will meet the 96 dB standard, but many won't, and it's those vehicles that tend to
disrupt people in the community or on public lands. With this heads up, owners will have time to
install a compliant exhaust system (whether it be stock or an aftermarket exhaust, most of which
actually state whether they're above or below 96 dB in the product description).
If you require that participants get education-only sound testing to learn if their vehicles meet the 96
dB standard, you should probably specify that the testing booth be located in a non-residential
location such as outside of Old Spanish Trail Arena. You could also require that the aggregated
results be shared with Grand County, but the results should not include any personally-identifying
information in order to reassure participants that the test is not for law-enforcement purposes. A
trained sound tester can measure hundreds of vehicles relatively quickly, especially if he or she has
to determine only whether they're above or below 96 dB (rather than determining the exact decibel
number for each vehicle). Giving a friendly sticker to those who meet the 96 dB standard is a nice
touch.
In summary, RwR suggests removing the three aforementioned stipulations and adding that the
organizer must perform (in a non-residential area) an education-only test of all participants' vehicles
in order to notify the participants whether their vehicles are above or below 96 dB based on the SAE
J1287 procedure, and to notify Grand County how many vehicles measured above or below 96 dB.
You could require the organizer to encourage participants to meet the 96 dB standard (by running
stock exhaust systems or choosing an aftermarket one that is advertised as meeting the 96 dB
standard), but you should not require participants to meet this standard in 2021.
Note that this educational opportunity is a benefit of Rally On The Rocks, as it would be much harder
to reach vehicle operators outside of the event. We hope you agree that revising the stipulations in
this way would be in everyone's long-term interest. Feel free to contact me for any further
discussion. Thanks -Clif
Executive Director, Ride with Respect
10-5-2020 Clif Koontz Mary- Please see the attached letter addressing noise concerns primarily involving side-by-side
vehicles.
Essentially the three main suggestions are to:
1.Expand the development and distribution of education for SxS operators, especially renters, but
ideally for all OHV operators.
2.Utilize stationary sound testing to reduce the incidences of "outliers" (i.e. exceptionally-loud
vehicles)
3.Ask the trade group of SxS manufacturers to exceed the federal sound standards for all models,
just as they currently do for most models.
I won't be around until later this afternoon but, in general, you and the other Council members should
feel free to contact me for further information. Also, just as this letter concludes, the Council is
welcome to request recommendations from the Motorized Trails Committee. Thanks –Clif
Grand County Commission- Regarding the issue of vehicular sound in general (not just Rally On The Rocks),
I'm resending RwR's letter from last February. We've all been sidetracked by the coronavirus since then, but I
still think the letter would provide a good template for mitigating noise concerns. And I still think that the
Motorized Trails Committee could add value if you'd like me to engage them. Thanks -Clif
[See letter attached at the bottom of this table - TC]
10-5-2020 Nancy Orr Dear GC Commission:
I noticed that there is an agenda item for tomorrow’s meeting regarding possible alteration of the
stipulations for Rally on the Rocks. Unless they intend to cancel, cut the number of attendees or
require better noise reduction, please do not alter the stipulations. ROTR is a poster child for the
motorized mayhem that has been unleashed on our town, and it has become intolerable. I reviewed
the spreadsheet included in your packet, and the stipulations that you have specified there are
sufficiently reasonable. If anything, they are more lenient than I would prefer.
Events like ROTR bring noise and chaos into our neighborhoods regardless of whether we wish to
participate. Non-motorized events do not have such an overwhelming impact, and still bring
economic benefits to the majority of businesses. Please start prioritizing non-motorized events, and
give residents a much-needed break from the noise. Thank you for considering public input.
10-5-2020 Liz Ballenger Dear Commissioners-
I know you're getting a lot of email on this topic, so I'll keep this short if not sweet. PLEASE do
everything you legally can to keep down the noise from UTVs in our community. It's gotten noticeably
worse this season, and with UTV rental businesses popping up like weeds in every vacant lot (it
seems), it'll keep getting worse without your intervention. I understand you're considering conditions
for the Rally on the Rocks event again-- please consider that this UTV user group affects our
community like none other with their noise, degrading off-road trail conditions, increasing dust, and
not to mention excessive use of fossil fuels while we're in the midst of a climate crisis.
Is this really what we want Moab to be known for?
But I digress... for me as a citizen, it mainly boils down to the stress caused by excessive noise is
overwhelming even late into the night, echoing off the west valley wall. I used to be irritated by the
sound of the HVAC units of the Kane Creek apartments behind me. Lets just say I never notice that
noise anymore...unfortunately.
Thanks for listening,
10-5-2020 Thea Nordling Dear Commission Members,
I am opposed to any efforts to loosen the stipulations the Council adopted last year for Rally on the
Rocks. As a resident of Spanish Valley I feel increasingly under assault by the noise of this and
other motorized events. It is impossible to get away from the din and dust of UTVs and other
motorized toys anywhere in the valley, in the backcountry, or even in our own back yard, especially
during motorized events. This user group also has an inordinate impact on other visitors who are
here to enjoy peace and quiet, not to mention the damage they do to soils, vegetation and air quality.
Rather than easing restrictions on Rally on the Rocks, the county should clamp down on noise and
speeding, and put limits on the number of participants in these types of events. We should not be
encouraging more and more of this type of damaging and destructive use.
Thanks for considering my thoughts,
10-5-2020 Celia Alario Hi Council!
Please keep the stipulations that were approved previously for ROTRs!
Also, as I mentioned in my recent Letter to the Editor in the Moab Sun we are reaching a critical point with the
UTV noise, and we really need your help to fix this problem.
It is SO loud now at all hours of the day and night. Many long time Moab residents who contribute a lot to our
town are questioning if it is still livable here.
Please let’s figure out a way to either 1-get sound/noise ordinances enforced; 2-incentivize the companies to
make quieter vehicles; 3-look at a max number of rentals in town at a time;4-return to the days of trailering to
trails, which the manufacturers themselves seem to be in favor of over having them ‘street legal’.
With a few lucky notable exceptions, most of the county is as loud or louder than living in a big city right next
to a freeway.
PLEASE help us to be able to continue to live here.
10-5-2020 Carol Mayer Esteemed members:
Please keep the stipulations that were previously approved for Rally on the Rocks. As someone who
lives “close to the action” in town, I really hope that the city and county representatives do everything
in your power to make this event primarily good and fair for the residents and, secondarily, good for
the attendees. Thank you,
10-6-2020 Margie Read Dear Grand County Commissioners –
I am writing this email to request – NO, BEG – that you all keep the noise stipulations that were
approved previously for the Rally on the Rocks event.
My home in Moab is located in a residential area on 100 South that used to be quiet. It is no longer.
The frustration of not being able to be on your front porch and hear what the person next to you is
saying is absurd. And it is unhealthy and unfair to the people who live here and pay taxes.
The speeding and noise of people zooming – no BLASTING --down the street to get to their red rock
adventures is also very dangerous for children and other pedestrians that cross this street to get to
the ball park, library or school.
In general, we need to make changes so that this horrible situation improves. But AT THE VERY
LEAST, you can make sure that the previously-approved stipulations for Rally on the Rocks are kept
AND ENFORCED. I will appreciate this, as will so many that live here.
10-6-2020 Kiley Miller We are surely doomed if this is who we’re being branded and sold as. We have to get ahead of this,
they can’t start using us as a raceway. We’re in extreme drought, it’s already a dust bowl, this is a
sensitive desert not a Glamis or Johnson Valley granite desert. Something must be done. I personally
email all these motor heads and shame them as well as try to educate them about this desert
landscape and that dammit people live here. I’m at my f -in wits end! These guys had no filming
permit, they all think they can just ride all over us.
10-6-2020 Pete Gross Dear County Commission:
This is probably too late for tonight's October 6 meeting. I would like to point out that the ROTR
event organizer, Sean Reddish made misleading and false claims in 2019 when he lobbied for
approval of his 2020 event.
Sean Reddish made the ludicrous argument that "Noise on a side-by-side, most predominately the
droning noise that you hear, is caused by the tires. This claim defies simple observation. UTV's can
and do make an ear-splitting racket when they rapidly accelerate from a dead stop before they quiet
down to a dull roar at cruising speed. Decibel meters don't lie.
Reddish objected to common sense noise mitigation like requiring muffler silencers and banning after
market exhaust systems. This suggests he has no sincere interest in addressing the root problem,
namely, that UTV's are inherently LOUD.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
10-6-2020 Carrie Bailey I sent an email commenting on the The Rally on the Rocks yesterday before I was informed that the
organizers of the event were asking for changing the agreed-upon rules for UTV mufflers. I want to
add that I believe the sound restrictions/muffler requirements and curfews for the Moab Valley
should be left unchanged. To add some persuasion to standing firm, I would ask you to view this
video and anticipate the future for Grand County if we do not take some common sense community
control of visitors and the traffic.
10-6-2020 Pete Apicella We really need to have quieter UTVS on the roads here in Grand County and everywhere. Not just for the
quality of our lives as humans, but for all wildlife, and the peace of natural spaces.
Something seems different this year--the combination of more UTV rental places and more people not
travelling abroad seems to have brough tons more folks UTVing around here and i hear it, every morning as
wake-up call and throughout the day. It's a Scourge of Noise.
UTV users pretend they ride "Offroad" on "Trails". This mindset helps underpin a certain distorted machismo
problem.
The reality is that they sit in seats and Drive unpaved Roads. Etc etc etc...
They should be fined for false advertising
I don't care if people drive UTVs if they are responsible and respectful which means they are quiet ( their
loudness is in both 1--total volume and 2--- their particularly whiney pitch which intersects with the most
sensitive frequency range of human hearing) and that they stay on designated routes ( roads). When they
destroy desert soils and native habitat through reckless driving, it becomes my issue. When they are in my
ear, it becomes my issue.
Keep in mind that each vehicle although perhaps 7 feet long has a 2 mile sound radius. This is very large and
very...greedy. The selfishness on the UTV industry's part to take up this much shared public space needs to be
rectified. I have a need for quiet and silence and not just continue to transport motor babble into all corners
of the Desert.
I ask that the County (and other organizations) work to enforce that all UTVs meet all the other automobile
standards that other cars are required to have. This partial list can include:
1) Mufflers and engine boxes required and built correctly from factories that meet community standards.
Not little add on bandaid mufflers that appear compliant but barely fix the problem. Although this adds cost
and weight to the vehicle, please understand that UTVS are 20,000$+ luxury devices and full cost should be
carried by the user
2)Emission controls for air quality.
3)Full sized license plates, so they can be read and cited when performing a moving violation
4)Blinkers
5)Increased Miles Per gallon fuel efficiency
6)Billboards and memes that encourage responsible driving for UTVs
I apply pressure here with this email, but I ask for help where pressure can be applied to State officials as well
as to Manufacturers.
I encourage the county to direct law enforcement officials to ticket UTV drivers who violate sound
ordinances.
I also encourage the county to post electronic road signs that post a passing vehicle's decibel level, in the
same way that we have one's for Speed Limits
I'd like to believe most families and couples renting UTVs will enjoy their experience more with a quieter
vehicle. I went UTVing recently with my cousin and her boyfriend. It was fine, not the funnest thing, but fine.
Regardless...it was really really loud and, when it came time to take a little walk away from the vehicle up a
barely prominent hill...the driver was exhausted from not having a walking routine. Reminded me that at
their worst UTVs = 4x4 wheelchairs. They slowly turn people both Deaf and Lame.
Loud UTV's are becoming a bigger problem in natural spaces everywhere and left unchecked, the problem will
get way worse. I hope it's not too late
Thanks for hearing me out. I hope you heard me amid the din of UTV's.
10-8-2020 Kristina Young Dear Councilmembers,
I want to voice my concern about noise levels in Grand County. The noise pollution that we are all
experience is degrading our quality of life. I encourage you not to approve special events in Grand
County, such as Rally on the Rocks, that bring large numbers of loud UTVs to our small valley. I
would support stronger and enforced noise ordinances and efforts to curb the almost unbearably loud
motorized recreation that is taking place around us.
Thank you for acting on behalf of the quality of life of Grand County residents.
Sincerely,
10-9-2020 Steve Brock I’m sure you’re just as tired hearing about them as most of us in Mountain View are hearing them. No
need to go on and on, I’m sure you’ve heard it.
Anything you can do to get these abominations off the streets and cancel Rally on the Rocks will be
deeply appreciated. The growing number of
these vehicles and the associated racket has become too much.
With respect,
10-9-2020 Andrea Lombardo My father, who lived on the corner of Mountain View and Kane Creek, loved “his town.” He would
brag to me when I visited from Connecticut that he was only three blocks from Main Street yet he
couldn't hear any noise at all from town. I would stop to listen. He was right. It was so refreshing
from the city noise I would hear where I lived. I moved next door to where my Dad lived to get away
from all the noise, hustle, and bustle
The other day my friend came to have lunch. We sat on my back porch. It was a beautiful fall day.
As she was eating, she stopped and said, “this sounds like the streets of NYC” where she used to
live. She was right. It was awful. On another recent occasion, I went to Moonflower Market and
stood outside to chat with some friends. We had to stop talking from time to time as the sound from
the UTV’s and motorcycles going by were so loud we couldn't near each other. I went for a class by
Holyoak Lane. The class was held outside because of Covid. I struggled to hear over the UTV noise
what the instructor was saying.
Proponents claim that stopping the UTV noise from going through town infringes upon their rights.
What right do people have to bombard others with their noise? Don't people who “love their town”
and support it, have any rights? I would expect to get a ticket if my car was without a proper
muffler. Why are the UTV‘s allowed to roar through town with no consideration to those of us who
live here? I understand the importance of bringing money to our town, but can't we have our cake
without paying such a high price? Go back to requiring that they trailer them out of town or, at the
very least, PUT A MUFFLER ON IT. Pave paradise, put up a parking lot. So sad.
10-10-2020 William Groff Council
I live on the raceway formally known as Millcreek Drive. I have endured the increased traffic from
UTV’s for a number of years. Now the noise and the disregard of our laws supposed to control them
are not being enforced. The noise is unbearable at times, especially when groups of more than two
or three cling together. When six or eight UTV’s are together, it seems they are all about noise and
speed. Where my house is located is at 772 Millcreek, a hundred feet or so from the three way stop
sign. When they stop for the stop sign, and travel across the intersection, they do so like it is a
starting gate for a race. They race up to the recycling center then slow a bit around the corner then
resume on up the hill. The noise is terrible. And when these groups coming off the sand flats hill and
stop, they either all go across the intersection or if they do stop, it’s a race to catch up to the person
in front of them, some of them going well over the posted speed limit of 25 MPH. I’m sure you can
hear the noise over most of the East side of town.
Another thing is I see a number of UTV’s that are not licensed. These are usually in groups and they
are always in the middle of the groups so it makes it harder to see if they have license plates on their
vehicle. I would guess that about 10 to 20% of the off-road vehicle’s are not licensed.
I am also wondering why UTV’s are being allowed to travel on the highways with speed limits of 55 to
65 MPH. As I have read the law passed by the state legislature, they are only supposed to be
allowed on roads and highways with a speed limit under 50 MPH.
I am hoping the city and county is able to restrict the UTV traffic in at least in town and through
residential areas, the quality of our lives is not getting better living in this beautiful area, it’s getting
worse. That is unacceptable.
Thank you
10-10-2020 Judy Powers Dear County Commission,
Please don't back down with Rally on the Rocks. I understand that they bring in money to our
economy but they are a disruptive force and make our lives miserable. From what I read in the paper
the person who operates this event has no respect for the county commission or the people who live
here.
Personally I would love it if we didn't give them a permit at all. The Moab community is better than
this. I understand that after the bust in the 80's the people here were willing to have ANYTHING that
would bring in money and help the economy. However it is now 2020, we have appeal (perhaps too
much) and it's time we figured out how to have a strong economy AND an appealing place to live.
I would love it if we could focus on less invasive/non-motorized events like running and biking, Moab
Music Festival and Moab Folk Festival. Those people bring in money, and their family and friends.
However they do NOT bring in huge trailers full of loud motors that destroy the quiet in and OUT of
town.
One other comment- I certainly hope we are not starting to get more of those loud flying motors. It's
bad enough having motors around us on the ground but ALL AROUND US including above us is
WAY too much. What controls, if any, can be establish before this too becomes a problem?
Let's get a grip on what we want our community to be.
Sincerely,
Judy Powers
P.S. Please please please educate yourself on the issues AND VOTE!!!!!!
10-11-2020 Sallie Hodges Dear Senator Hinkins, [and to Mr. Albrecht in a duplicate email]
As far as I am concerned Utah is one of the most beautiful States in the US. It has everything from
the Rockies to the desert canyons. Its wilderness is pristine and vast, just one of the many reasons I
moved to Moab, Utah over 20 years ago.
However, over the past three years the quality of life here has become intolerable due to the increase
in all terrain vehicles on our roads. Our neighborhoods are no longer quiet sanctuaries, but
racetracks for people who don't seem to care about our standard of life. They drive around usually in
groups of five or more wearing headphones, as a means of communicating over the excessive noise
they make. There are now more UTV rental companies in our town than bike shops, which makes
Moab the MOTORHEAD capital of the World. It has got to the point where Hotels on main street
hand out ear plugs to their guests upon check in, and locals are suffering from high anxiety and
health related issues.
Many people come to Utah and specifically Moab to enjoy the spectacular scenery of Arches and
Canyonlands National Parks, they come to hike, and to enjoy the peace and quiet of the wilderness.
These people are being driven away, pun intended, by the motorized mayhem that has flooded our
small town.
I am sure that when HB0082 was put forward you had no idea of the consequences for a little town
like Moab, which is why I felt it necessary to write and inform you. Many people here in Moab are at
their 'wits end', they have had enough. Perhaps to you it sounds hyperbolic, but if you were to
experience the constant scream of machines running around your neighborhood 24 hours a day at
95 decibels, which far exceeds our Municipal Code guidelines, you might just feel the same way.
Here is a link to a video taken in 2015, five years ago. It is now much worse!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6EpXVkjkoKQ&fbclid=IwAR39chwPXDxKYsdV-
3NTWILgmtJRSkPEsBFuOVKrHWZaD0Hurf4uJiVMt5k
Thank you for your time.
10-12-2020 John Hartley & Barbara
Hicks
Dear Council Members
During discussion at the County Commission meeting regarding the
"Rally on the Rocks" event, it was heartening to hear the commissioners
stand up to the event organizers. Thank you.
The threat to take their event somewhere else is fine with most of the
people I know. Threatening to take "their" money away from our town is
a typical bullying move of these organizations and I say fine go
somewhere else. We weren't consulted about how much our peace and
quiet are worth. It certainly isn't worth the price we have been paying in
traffic disruption and noise. Wearing masks wasn't even mentioned?
The manager of the Spanish Trail Arena put in his two cents. He should
be advised to be quite in public meetings. The manager is a replaceable
employee. He should advise in private what his feelings are rather than
try to publicly divide or influence the Commission. He should be advised
to publicly support the community that employs him rather than
become a public lackey for private events that are so contentious. We
pay his salary and he owes the community neutrality at the very least.
He is free resign and go with the event to the next town. He seems to be
tied to a crowded, noisy, dusty, smelly event that is obviously unwanted
by many citizens here.
Cities are incorporated for the social benefit of private citizens that
reside in the boundaries of the incorporated areas. The business
community has always been welcome here as long as those businesses
benefit the citizens as a whole not just 4 blocks of Main St and the arena
originally meant to serve the equestrian community. The County
Government should honor Moab Government and residents in their
actions. This event creates a daily constant mechanical HUM that
permeates throughout the city as well as crowding the trails and creating
traffic and noise pollution issues on the public lands and on residential
and city streets. This event should no longer be permitted here.
10-12-2020 Lara Derasary Dear City council members and County commissioners,
I have no doubt you've all heard ad nauseam how sick many of us are of the noise we're increasingly
subjected to in town, so I thought twice about writing to echo these complaints. However, I think it's
important to add my voice, if nothing else for the public record. I live on Wingate Avenue and seem
perfectly positioned to capture the noise of the highway, 100 W, 400 N and 500 W. There are days
when the noise starts at 6am and goes past midnight. I hear what sounds like people doing donuts
and drag racing on a constant basis. And it runs the gamut of UTVs, motorcycles, diesel trucks and
unmuffled vehicles. It's gotten so bad that I have to leave my windows closed all day and all night and
that only muffles the sound. I understand that enforcing noise ordinances is challenging, that our law
enforcement is overtaxed as it is and that we also face interference from the state legislature on this
issue. I look forward to the conversation at your joint meeting and hope that there are opportunities
presented for a solution to this problem. I also think we need to explore reducing speed limits on 500
W and 400 N or closing these streets to residential traffic only, if people can't behave more
respectfully and responsibly. People seem to think it's acceptable to travel at 40 mph on these
streets, and the UTVs don't seem to think stop signs apply to them. They repeatedly roll through
intersections en masse without stopping. In addition, a friend was telling me a fawn was recently hit
in front of her house on 500 W. The vehicle that hit the fawn didn't even stop. It's back legs were
destroyed and DNR had to put it down. It breaks my heart. I have no doubt the person was speeding,
as almost everyone does on 500 W. This complete disregard for the people living here needs to stop.
Yours respectfully,
10-12-2020 Bobbie Day Hello I’m writing to once again ask that GC STOP with the advertising and promoting Moab as a off
road destination. There is absolutely no noise or traffic enforcement. People camp wherever they
choose and we’ve had enough.
Enough noise and enough obnoxious loud off road vehicles that drive in our neighborhoods.
Enough of these businesses.
Thank you
10-12-2020 Josie Kovash Truthfully: Moab’s descent into a big ugly and noisy hellscape of industrial tourism has not been an
overnight phenomenon. It has been the proverbial frog boiling to death without knowing it. (Well,
many knew it… I keep picturing the cover of Jim Stiles’s Brave New West: Morphing Moab at the
Speed of Greed, so prescient when published over a decade ago.) Every year I have tuned my
threshold just a little bit more toward accommodation, moving gradually from ‘at least it’s only a
couple of weeks in April’, to ‘at least we have a couple of quiet winter months to ourselves’. But
something about experiencing an increase in summer tourism with a marked uptick in the
motorization of both our neighborhoods and our backcountry, all while trying to stay put in my home
during a global pandemic, well, it broke me. The last time I tried to paddle some flatwater on the
Colorado, I was greeted with jet ski exhaust. Now we have what sound like RZRs with wings buzzing
all over the valley. And of course, their forebears, the endless parades of UTVs, spilling from public
lands onto our residential streets in increasing numbers since the Utah State Legislature decreed
them universally street legal in 2008.
Not only have UTVs and their varied cousins become the largest public nuisance and degrader of
quality of life for Moabylonians (and deterrent for any tourists that prefer other modes of recreation),
they are also a signal of an emergent public health issue. Residents in neighborhoods with loud
traffic noise are 25% more likely to suffer from depression than those in quiet neighborhoods. Kids in
noisy homes suffer developmentally and have trouble learning and mastering language skills. Study
after study shows the direct and indirect negative impacts of noise pollution on health, linked to
increased anxiety, high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. Impacts are the most severe with
chronic exposure. Harvard health has found that not only does exposure to noises higher than 85
decibels for more than 8 hours lead to hearing loss, but more alarmingly, health risks occur from
persistent noise at levels as low as 50 decibels. To put that into perspective: from my bedroom on
Locust Lane, I consistently clock UTV traffic heading to Sand Flats at around 65 decibels, or 70+
decibels when they mistakenly turn up my street (a frequent occurrence). This is in the same decibel
range as my 5 month old daughter crying full-throttle in the same room. When you consider that in
the peak of summer, UTVs are parading up to Sand Flats and back as late as 1am and often start
pre-dawn, and that in peak season a half-dozen rental companies in town are pumping their well-
stocked fleets of side-by-sides onto city streets, it appears that Moab residents are living with near
24/7 noise stress equivalent to that suffered by parents of colicky babies.
People should be able to have a good quality of life in their own homes and backyards. Period.
At up to $500 a pop for a rental, it does seem that these things are a veritable cash cow...for UTV
businesses. For the rest of our community, UTV enthusiasts don’t spend more tourist dollars than
anyone else, and they surely drive away multitudes of other, less impactful recreationists they are not
meant to coexist with. I’ll say it plain: Moab does not need this particular cash cow, and I think we’d
be far better off, psychologically, environmentally, and economically, without them. So the question
becomes what can we as a community do?
Already we are hearing back from state legislators that this isn’t their problem, that this is a local
issue. We can’t wait for them to care about our quality of life more than their financial bottom lines.
We need to take control locally and take the steps needed to restore balance in this community.
Strongly-worded noise ordinances that are actively enforced by local police. Pressure on existing
UTV rentals and business licence stipulations requiring trailering to trailheads, fleet decibel limits, and
other mitigations. A moratorium on future UTV rentals. Utilizing our resort tax on efforts to educate
visitors on the negatives of UTV recreation and the positives of the many other quiet activities that
can be found instead of “throttle down” PSAs blowing smoke that street legal UTVs can peacefully
coexist with those that live here. And then, if we can mitigate the immediate effects on locals long
enough to think straight, perhaps it’s time for Moab to stand up to the State Legislature and fight back
against the onerous law that put us here, against our own wishes, in the first place. We need to
demand the right to opt-out, and we need to start to examine the negative impacts of this mode of
recreation on our trails and our backcountry. When I talk to friends in places other than Utah, they are
shocked to learn that I live in a state that can make laws like this while simultaneously straitjacketing
any local ability to opt out. This is not normal, and we need to stop acting as though it is.
This spring, when Moab was locked down, we got a delicious taste of how peaceful Moab can be, a
reminder of seasons long ago. If there is a way for this community and its governing forces to come
together and make some serious change, I’m all in. Otherwise, I’m so tired of fighting. I fear that the
same desire for a simple yet full quality of life which brought me to Moab will in the end also be the
reason that I leave. I promise her there is still a place in the world for quietude and thoughtfulness,
and that sometime soon we will once again, as we did this spring, hear morning birdsong in the
neighborhood trees.
You have the support and the mandate of the community to fight on this issue. Respectfully,
10-12-2020 Carol Mayer Hi folks,
I sent you an email in Oct ’19 against allowing OHV’s in the National Parks and again a few weeks
ago imploring you to keep the stipulations on ROTR.
I have made a comment to the city council on how both our governing bodies should treat the
exploding problem of OHV noise.
Please know that I am for starting now and working into a crescendo to make sure we find a way to
promote QUIETER tourism from the motorized tourism sector. Thank you for your service,
10-12-2020 Joan Gough Dear County Council:
Please see the letter I just sent to the City Council below:
I live just off 400 East on Center Street. The noise is getting worse and worse here, especially from
ATV’s, but also from a few loud, probably muffler less cars. It is so bad from those cars early in the
morning and in the evening and at night that I cannot sleep with my windows open at all. It is
troubling not only because of the noise, but also the sense that we have no choice but to endure it.
Why is it that the loud and disruptive few have say over the many who want to enjoy our yards and
fresh evening air? If this can be addressed by the police and is not due to strictures you can
address, please do so.
Another price related issue that I think they could and probably do address, but not nearly enough is
people running stop signs and lights when making right-hand turns. I saw 8 ate’s just following one
after the other at the Center/400 East intersection and was almost hit at Main and 300 South when
someone coming up 300 South ran right out into Main Street traffic without stopping or even slowing
down.
Thank you for addressing these local, not very glamorous needs. Sincerely,
10-12-2020 Bret Blosser Dear County Commissioners,
The Moab City Council's recent document for "Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Noise Mitigation" presents
five approaches for consideration. The Council, City Attorney, and Police Chief merit community
appreciation and support for addressing this difficult topic. Unfortunately, of the five approaches, only
the fifth can solve this problem. Even more unfortunately, the fifth option, "Lobby the state
Legislature to allow Moab an opt-out of the state law allowing street-legal OHVs on City streets" will
not receive a sympathetic hearing from State legislators. It would be naive to imagine that the
proliferation of ATVs in Moab's streets is a bug, not a feature of the State's "street legal" law.
Legislators must have understood the law would open the City and County to increased ATV tourism
and put roaring, polluting machines in our business district and residential neighborhoods.
Facilitating ATV tourism was clearly a primary purpose of their law. Legislators are unlikely to allow
us to opt out without strong political pressure. Bringing such pressure to bear is a steep challenge for
negatively affected residents and businesses. Therefore the City and County should focus on the
politics of mounting an effective campaign to sway legislators. I'm guessing arguments based on
defending our tourism economy will be received better than arguments based on alleviating residents'
misery. The following points could contribute to an economic argument:
1.The strength and resilience of Moab's tourism industry has historically been founded on
welcoming visitors to experience our extraordinary landscape in an exceptional range of
modalities: boating, hiking, biking, climbing, canyoneering, dirt biking, base jumping, ballooning,
sky diving, National Park driving, jeeping, and, recently, ATVing. Anecdotal evidence from Moab
businesses which interact daily with all sorts of visitors indicates that ATV tourism has curtailed
visitation by non-ATV tourists distressed by ATV noise and pollution. Business staff report that
visitors not uncommonly say they enjoy vacationing here but will never return because of ATVs.
Our economy will become weaker and less resilient if one of our recreational modalities reduces
the viability of the others. We should design and conduct surveys to determine if these
anecdotes reflect an actual trend. If so, this represents a challenge to the continuity of our
tourism sector which deserves serious attention by State legislators.
2.Win-win. The legislators apparently support ATV tourism and ATV-based business in Moab.
Therefore our pitch cannot be framed as "getting rid of ATVs". We need to identify a solution
wh ich eliminates ATV noise and pollution from town as well as from residential parts of the
County without knee-capping our five licensed ATV rental and tour businesses. Existing
infrastructure is not sufficient to accommodate trailering ATVs from business locations to
trailheads. Our plan needs to incorporate the construction of large trailer lots at all designated
ATV trailheads. This should enable our ATV businesses to thrive after opt-out.
3.There are financial and spatial constrains on how much trailer space can be constructed at
trialheads. Therefore we should not accept applications for additional ATV business licenses until
trailhead parking for existing businesses is assured.
Briefly, why are the City's other options for "noise mitigation" not much more than band aids that do
not solve the problem?
1.The "noise metering devices and citations" option calls for "operating a noise and
registration checkpoint [which] would require at least six officers for six hours – one hour each for
set-up and teardown, plus a four-hour checkpoint." Unless we hire and dedicate several new
officers this unwieldy process will not be implemented often enough to sufficiently impact
irresponsible automotive behavior by the ever-changing ATV population.
2.The "Designated OHV route" option doesn't affect the problem since current troublesome
routes will be among those designated. I live near one of these. Its miserable.
3.Enforcing rental company compliance with muffler requirements is an appropriate approach
but too many ATVs are privately owned for this to solve the noise issue.
4.A temporary moratorium on City or County business licenses for new ATV
companies is necessary but unlikely to be joined by San Juan County. New
companies would be established in Spanish Valley.
10-12-2020 Susette Weisheit Dear Grand County Commission Members,
The ATV/UTV noise in our community has become intolerable. I do understand the power to effect
change lies not at the local level, but with the state. However, I implore you to petition the state of
Utah on this issue for me; your constituency. Please help us resolve the horrible racket these
vehicles are creating in our town which is impacting our lives so dramatically.
I have lived in Moab, Utah now for 30 years. I remember well the small town I moved to in 1990. I
was so excited to once again live in a quiet small town. I was so pleased to be able to walk out of my
downtown rental unit and wander the streets of Moab, looking at the brilliant starlight skies, enjoying
the quiet and being able to hear the sounds of nature from the slews at the end of my street.
I moved out of Moab to Spanish Valley as Moab’s visitation increased and I could no longer hear the
slews but rather the constant sound of vehicles on Main Street accelerating at each newly added
traffic light. The distant drone of Hwy 191 from my new home was an acceptable trade off as our
town struggled to establish a steady economy. We reached that steady economy as early as 2000
but the greed of the local and state tourism boards would not let up on advertising.
Now the roar of ATVs/UTVs leaving and returning to their overnight accommodations in Spanish
Valley lasts for 2-3 hours every morning and evening. These “vehicles” are unreasonably loud and
their noise reverberates off the cliffs. It is bad when there is just one of them on the road. Alas, on my
last one hour bicycle ride on Spanish Valley Drive I was passed by a stunning 47 of these obnoxious
sound machines. Between the sound and the exhaust I regretted even leaving my home. Enough
already!!!
And now we have them in the air too! The newest sound attack on our neighborhoods is the equally
intolerable ultralights and powered paraglider that have started flying over our community; please
NO!!! The motorized assault on our community must be stopped.
I am writing, begging you as a city or county leader to help bring a noise ordinance to Moab and
Spanish Valley. I am appalled that Salt Lake City won’t allow us to have a noise ordinance but has
protected themselves with a noise ordinance for their community.
Thank you for taking the time to read my letter and for your service to our community. Please help
protect our community from further degradation.
Sincerely submitted,
10-12-2020 Wendy Hoff Dear County Council, City Council, Sheriff's Office and Police Department,
Thank you for attempting to address the problem of OHV noise in town. The noise is literally almost
unbearable. I speak not just for myself - the topic comes up in almost every conversation I have with others
that live here. It feels like we are under siege!
I urge you to address this issue as quickly as possible. We can't dismiss it with "it's too late". If we do that
what will it be like in 5 years, 10 years?!
Don't be swayed by the tax revenue argument. Money does not replace a decreased quality of life. Don't be
swayed by the 5-10 business owners that are profiting, there are 10,000 of us being negatively affected.
Related is the issue of overall vehicle noise on Main Street. This one should be easier to address in a timely
manner. I live 3 blocks away from Main Street and every night am disturbed by OHV and non-OHV vehicles
gunning their engines and what sounds like erratic driving. This is not the normal "hum" of traffic. An
increased police presence on Main Street would reduce this.
And if I may throw in one more frightening traffic issue that has exponentially increased in the last year or so
(since I am also sending this to the police): cars and huge semi-trucks running red lights. This has changed
from something I had never experienced a few years ago to something that happens virtually every time I am
at a light waiting to cross Main Street. Someone is going to be killed. It seems that increased police presence
would curb this also. Sincerely,
10-12-2020 Nancy Lowe Dear Grand County Council Members,
I would like to express my opposition to the ATV Rally on the Rocks an event that is coming up for review
with the council. The noise in Moab has become unbearable, one can hardly think at times it is so loud. They
race through once quiet neighborhoods and seem to have no respect, and they are unconscious about people
who live here. WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO US???? Last week 9 atv’s came roaring down Locust Ln finding
great pleasure racing over the speed bumps that are “Whoopi bumps” to them. Beside the unbearable noise of
the machine they hollered, yelled and screamed on each bump. I called the police dispatcher to complain and
all I got in response was “OK”.
As a property owner I want to express my total opposition to this event unless they are trailered out of town ,
silenced with a quiet muffler or electrified. Please bear witness to raw nerves locals are experiencing because
of this unleashed menace. I want people to enjoy this beautiful land but not at the peace and sanity of
residents.
Thank you for all you do for Grand County and I hope my voice can be heard.
10-12-2020 Clif Koontz Christina- I really appreciate your open dialog, and am sorry for taking the whole week to reply.
Since you cc'ed some other key staff at the county and city, I'm adding the City Council, Grand
County Commission, and Moab Area Travel Council Director to the cc list.
Just to get the other two event stipulations out of the way, the one about donations sounds like a
non-issue at this point. Regarding the one about nighttime driving, I didn't mean to comment on the
county's authority, rather the effectiveness of such a stipulation (and its side effects). For better or
worse, there's a lot of overlap between residential areas and the overnight accommodations that
participants will use. If done too strictly, the nighttime stipulation could cause participants to avoid
signing up for ROTR, but they'll still show up to check out the vendor expo and do the trails on their
own (in an unguided fashion). I like your idea of addressing nighttime use in the participant pledge,
but would phrase it more like "I pledge to minimize noise at night by generally avoiding UTV use in
residential areas from 9pm to 7am." Whatever the county and organizer agree on, just please phrase
it carefully to avoid the unintended consequence of incentivizing people to not sign up (but show up
anyway) or to join other events that aren't as well-organized or permitted.
Moving on to the most important stipulation in question, I can provide Grand County with a printed
copy of SAE J1287 (or the other stationary sound-testing procedures) to view for educational
purposes. If the county decides to utilize this procedure, it should purchase a digital copy from the
SAE. Similarly in 2018 I provided a printed copy to Chief Winder when demonstrating the procedure
to him and Assistant Chief Edge. If the city needs another printed copy for educational purposes, just
let me know.
I see Chris's logic in adopting language from state rules but, when it comes OHV noise concerns in
Utah, it will be more effective to rely on federal law. The beauty of the 96 dB standard based on
J1287 (and the other stationary sound testing-procedures from SAE) is that it doesn't go beyond the
existing federal law so it's enforceable, and it makes that enforcement feasible on public roads. Since
you mentioned the city's upcoming meeting on UTV (aka SxS or ROV) noise, and that there are
feasibility problems with enforcement, I took the liberty to call Chief Edge. He said that, in the limited
time available to research the matter, he identified several issues. Please see my response to those
issues (first attachment).
Admittedly measuring sound is complex, especially if you try to enforce a noise ordinance that is
event-based (i.e. a moment in time). However, noise concerns can be partially resolved by enforcing
an ordinance that is vehicle-based because it's repeatable. In fact, examples of successful
enforcement include the street-motorcycle test (J2825) in NH, the "light truck" automobile test
(J1492) in CA, the snowmobile test (J2567) in several states, and the OHV test (J1287) in a dozen
states. Further, J1287 has been used at many OHV events around the U.S. for decades. You
mentioned that J1287 seems to be for motorcycles, and it was indeed developed for off-highway
motorcycles in the 1970s, but since then it has been adopted for ATV and SxS models. In fact, since
the target engine speed (i.e. RPM) depends on the rated engine speed (aka redline) of each model,
the OHV industry's trade group updates a supplement to the test each year that includes all the new
off-highway motorcycle / ATV / SxS models (second attachment).
Since this discussion relates to SxS noise in general, not just the ROTR event, I'm attaching RwR's
previous letters to the city and county (third - fifth attachments). The one from 2020-02-04 (third
attachment) provides a sort of blueprint that's comprehensive, and it acknowledges that a complete
solution would involve making some of the models quieter from the start (i.e. improving OEM
mufflers), but it also explains why our community would need to utilize the J1287 procedure before
we can hope to influence the manufacturers. Since the 96 dB standard based on J1287 merely
enforces federal law, municipalities can adopt such an ordinance unilaterally, although I recommend
seeking support from the state and affected public.
Also the ordinance would not be obligated to apply to all vehicle types, although I recommend
seeking support from all user groups for an ordinance that is universal (e.g. utilizing J2825, J1492,
and J2567). Granted, a county ordinance could target SxS vehicles alone since they tend to require
higher engine speed (RPM) compared to ATVs and off-highway motorcycles due to being much
heavier and typically having a continuously-variable transmission (not to mention that some of the
most popular SxS models produce a sound quality that is more distracting to the majority of people).
Nevertheless RwR would support a noise ordinance in which the 96 dB standard based on J1287 is
applied to SxS, ATV, and off-highway motorcycles alike. The only catch is that a one-year transition
should be provided in which officers issue warnings rather than citations so people have a heads up
and ample time to fix their vehicles.
Likewise the sound stipulation for ROTR should involve warnings rather than citations or removal
from the event. This distinction will allow vehicle testing to be spread out across all five days of the
event rather than having to "catch" all noncompliant vehicles right off the bat. Even a professional
sound-testing service would struggle to test fifty SxS vehicles in an hour. Even if they do screening to
filter out vehicles that are obviously compliant, I suspect that half the vehicles would remain for
testing, which will take hours of work. Finally I should point out that, even though it's unnecessary to
include "OEM specifications" and similar language from the state or other sources, it is useful to
include spark-arrester language since it compels participants to attend to their equipment and since
spark arresters are easy to verify (not to mention that they're required of OHVs on all federal lands).
Therefore I recommend the following working draft of a sound stipulation:
"All participant vehicles shall have the following: mufflers equipped with USFS-Qualified spark
arresters that emit 96 dB or less as measured by the SAE J1287 procedure. The organizer shall use
professional sound-testing services with a recognized methodology to filter out vehicles that are
obviously compliant, and then test the remaining vehicles in a non-residential setting over the
duration of the event. Participants with non-compliant vehicles shall be issued a documented warning
for the 2021 event, and the documentation shall be forwarded to Grand County."
Although I think the above stipulation is close to finished, it's a working draft because the county
should first check with a professional sound-testing service such as DPS Technical
( https://www.dpstechnical.com/content/ ). Chris Real is a foremost expert on the subject of vehicle
sound, including events and municipal ordinances. In fact Chris will soon release online training for
code enforcers (along with land managers and civilian technical inspectors). I asked Chris, and he
said that any of you are welcome to contact him. Chris added that, if Chief Edge or Sheriff White
want to hear directly from an LEO supervisor, they can call 916-324-1669 for Callan McLaughlin who
is "Superintendent II ( Captain ) LE Grants and LE OHV Instruction" at California Department of
Parks and Recreation, which routinely enforces the 96 dB standard. Chris Real has worked on
vehicle noise in California and around the world for decades, so I highly recommend contacting DPS
Technical.
Lest my long message mire everyone in the technicalities of the ROTR permit, let me conclude with
the three main suggestions of RwR's 2020-02-04 letter on resolving SxS noise in the following order:
1.Expand the development and distribution of education for SxS operators, especially renters, but
ideally for all OHV operators.
2.Utilize stationary sound testing to reduce the incidences of "outliers" (i.e. exceptionally-loud
vehicles).
3.Ask the trade group of SxS manufacturers to exceed the federal sound standards for all models,
just as they currently do for most models.
Thanks –Clif
Executive Director
Ride with Respect
10-13-2020 Nancy Orr Last Friday at 11am, an old friend stopped by on his way through town. We stood in my backyard to converse,
but were constantly interrupted by UTVs going by on 400 North, making it impossible to hear while all passed
(I counted 11 in one pack.) He commented that he is very glad to have moved away, to Texas, no less. That
evening, I had a Zoom meeting where I had to keep the microphone muted to prevent other attendees from
being punished by the noise. This was just a regular day in the life of a 400 North resident.
I must take my phone calls and meetings in my bathroom or back garage in order to escape the noise. I must
keep my windows closed on the front of my house to reduce (but not eliminate) the noise and fumes; no cross-
ventilation possible any more. No longer is the noise confined to weekends, and it is not unusual for it to
happen late at night. The 25 mph speed limit sign right at my property line must be invisible to most.
In fairness, not all are obnoxious. Yesterday two side x sides quietly putted by at 15 mph. I wanted to chase
them down and thank them - that feels backward and creepy.
I moved to Utah in 1977 and was warned by many that Wellington was a speed trap. I doubt they’ve bothered
with a speed trap there for decades, since their reputation is firmly established. Moab could achieve a similar
reputation for noise ordinance enforcement. We are not going to suffer economically if the extremists boycott
our town. There are plenty of well-behaved tourists who will spend their money here, especially if we are
reputed to be quieter. It will also help with congestion, since there will be fewer gigantic trailers crammed with
Razrs (I have seen two instances of double trailers, which makes my head explode! Is that even legal?)
I am willing to pony up the funds for one of the Soundtrax LXT N/Forcer meters (at $3233) mentioned in the
city council packet, if the city will set up a regular checkpoint on 400 N. I suspect others would also be willing
to donate $ or time to an effort to set up checkpoints throughout town. If enough citations are handed out, word
will get around.
Regards,
10-13-2020 Nancy Orr Thank you for standing firm on your stipulations for the ROTR event. It helped to confirm that you
really do consider citizen input. Regards,
10-13-2020 Ariel Atkins I currently reside on Park Road and am so grateful for my location while raising a family, I have close
access to schools, parks, pools and fantastic neighbors. Unfortunately, I've been having more and
more experiences in my neighborhood that have diminished these amenities. My family and I are
often on foot, stroller or bike and because of the minimal sidewalks we are often on the side of the
street. I'm constantly on high alert for speeding vehicles, distracted drivers, large vans and
motorhomes backing out of parking spaces at the park, folks running stop signs and I'm rarely given
the right of way in the crosswalk (yes, the one in the school zone of HMK). I'd expect more traffic and
parking enforcement in a school, park and residential zone, but rarely see any.
In addition to the actual safety concerns are the noise pollution concerns. I suspect with the Entrada
Development (45 unit vacation rental touting large spaces and 2 car garages), 400 North has
become the main throughout fare for those coming to Moab where they can operate their otherwise
street illegal vehicles. There is a constant humm in my backyard of traffic noise, this I can live with.
But what really starts to impact me is when the noise cranks up between 9pm-11pm as I'm trying to
go to sleep or get a restless toddler back to sleep. I'd love to be able to sleep with my window open
for some fresh cool air, but it sounds like a freeway is going through my house. Even with them shut,
I have to use whitenoise makers to help my family sleep. I know that many complain about the UTV's
being the problem but I often hear and see regular vehicles driving at extraordinary speeds in my
neighborhood, this is not only agitating but makes me feel like my families safety is jeopardized and
disrespected.
I'm also a small business owner and operate a tent-only campground 2 blocks off Main Street. The
amount of noise and traffic has been a topic of complaint among our guests, many of them here for
human powered sports feel impacted by the ever-presence of loud motors, particularly in town.
Numerous long-time patrons have been appalled to see how Moab has transformed, particularly
around the UTV's and noise pollution. I implore those within local government to make strong noise
ordinances, enforce traffic laws including speed limits, enforce parking and ideally work with the UT
legislator to trailer UTVs to the trails so we can have some sanity in our neighborhoods.
I appreciate your time and consideration,
10-13-2020 Lucy Wallingford Dear County Council:
The noise issue in Moab City is unbearable. I live on First North between 3rd and 4th East. Some days the
noise is almost constant, all day long, starting early and extending well past dark. Because big groups of
people who travel together each want their own Razor, they travel in packs of 4, 6, 8. You can hear them
coming a long time. Then as each one passes it sounds like a dirt bike race as they pass by, which lasts several
minutes. Then you can hear them receding for a long time. If you are standing in your front yard or driveway
visiting with a friend, you cannot communicate as they pass, you can’t even yell at each other and be heard.
And a few minutes later, it starts all over again.
1.Stop advertising Moab, completely! We don’t need any more visitors. We can’t even get into town without
an hour wait. Moab is over-run.
2.Do NOT designate OHV routes, as that simply funnels all of the noise by one set of houses. There is no
street in Moab except the highway that does not have people living on it.
3.Require mufflers, no exceptions.
4. No more rental companies!
5.Set up a curfew, no OHVs on the streets except after 8 am and before 8 pm. The rest of the time people are
trying to sleep.
6.Ultimately lobby the state to allow us to get them off our streets completely.
I have friends that are moving away because of this. Please, please, PLEASE deal with this issue. This is the
second go round of asking for comment. I dutifully commented last time (four years or so ago) and zero come
of it. Don’t send the message that we are wasting our time by commenting.
I know it’s not easy. Thank you.
10-13-2020 Bruce Dissel I am writing to enthusiastically support every conceivable measure to curtail the ridiculous amount of noise
that UTV's make in our town and our county.
The quality of life that has been lost to the noise is huge. I don't care about the "Tax Revenue". I deeply care
about my home town of the last 41 years. We need to say enough to noise, traffic and congestion. What good
is a broadened tax base if the roar of engines is heard 18 hours a day.
This is my home town, not a G*# Damn Go Kart track.
10-14-2020 Janet Buckingham Dear County Commission/City Council:
I am writing regarding the county event Rally on the Rocks specifically and, more generally about the
unbearable noise, traffic, crowding, and disintegration of quality of life in Moab and Grand County as a result
of excessive tourism.
I support any efforts you make toward not permitting Rally on the Rocks to continue their mobbing of
Moab. This is not the kind of event we need or want in our community. It has turned into a mini Sturgis,
South Dakota, type event with the potential to become or exceed the Sturgis Harley rally. We’ve all seen it
(ROTR) grow to staggering proportions over the course of its existence. It needs to stop.
Of course, it isn’t just the rally itself. These machines have now become so prevalent in Moab that every
weekend, lately every day, has seemed as if there is a ROTR event. They either haul their own rigs to Moab or
rent locally at shops that have taken over Main Street from the from the north end of town until you drive out
of town on the south end. It’s actually embarrassing to see this and makes a very clear statement as to what
Moab is “about.”
The people who participate in this form of recreation seem to feel a sense of entitlement while they are here.
They don’t obey rules; in fact, they flaunt rules by running stop signs as a group, stopping in the middle of the
road to chat, blocking intersections and being as loud and obnoxious as possible. A few nights ago around 9
p.m., my husband and I heard loud music and commotion outside. We got up to see a side-by-side showing
off what can only be described as a Las Vegas style light show pulsing in beat with loud music doing a U-turn
in the middle of Spanish Valley Drive. There is an abundance of gigantic flags attached to many vehicles
flaunting what most would consider obscenities. I’m sure you’ve seen the pictures.
Even without thumping music, the noise generated by these machines is over the top. We live on Spanish
Valley Drive so we expect a little more noise, but this isn’t a “little more noise.” The noise generated by these
machines is conversation stopping, headache inducing, stress generating, anger provoking and, these days,
non-stop. We hear them from 7:00 a.m. through midnight every single day and night. When they drive by in
“packs”, which they usually do, it can last for several minutes. They seldom travel alone. I usually see a
minimum of five and their groups often go up to 20 or so. We can hear them cutting through nearby
neighborhoods to the highway and the sound echoes and bounces against the rocks incessantly. I can’t tell
you how many times we have tried to sit outside on our patio, have a fire and enjoy where we live only to give
up and go inside and turn the TV on to try to drown out the noise. This is not how we want to live. It is not
how we should HAVE to live. The proliferation of UTVs is, quite simply, destroying our quality of life.
Combine this with the extreme over-promotion of Moab and you have a community ruined for anyone but the
tourists. My husband grew up in Moab. I have lived here 30 years. I raised my son here and he still lives here
as well. Moab is my home, not only physically, but in my heart, yet not a day goes by that we don’t talk about
where we can move to get away from this place. It’s truly heartbreaking.
Grand County needs to take immediate and drastic measures to stop the continued destruction of our
community:
1)Cease all promotion of Moab. Just STOP. If we can’t completely stop because of state rules
regarding TRT funds, then change the message. Completely recraft the message/brand to suggest it
is NOT a “fun pig” place. It is NOT where the adventure begins. Emphasize the arts, bicycling, hiking
and immediately pull that ad that the Travel Council created that says “you can ride your side by sides
on our roadways.” The County Commission is in charge of the local travel council. Exercise your
authority and tell them to STOP buying ads.
2)Whoever needs to do so, talk to the state travel bureau and tell them we are not happy with their
overpromotion of our community and we are especially not happy with them promoting Moab as the
place to go to get away during the pandemic. Make them understand that we are at a breaking
point.
3)Grand County has a long history of bumping heads with the state. Don’t stop now. Ban UTVs on
roads in spite of state laws. Let them do what they will. Fight for our community.
4)Tell the Sheriff’s department that we expect laws to be enforced. Write tickets and make them
hurt. We need to send out the message that if you want to come to Moab, you’re going to obey the
law, otherwise you’re not welcome. Articles that I have read and statements I’ve heard show
department leaders in support and alignment with UTVs and think they are a great addition to
tourism. Let your officers know their personal opinion doesn’t matter when the community as a
whole wants change.
5)Do NOT designate “routes” for travel through town. That will put all the burden on one specific
area of town or neighborhood, which is unfair. The “route” will become a ghost corridor because
everyone will move out and close their business.
6)Definitely initiate a moratorium on any more OHV rentals. Enough is enough.
7)At the very, very least, initiate a curfew: no UTVs or dirt bikes before 8:00 a.m. or after 8
p.m. Give us at least a few hours of our lives back.
I urge the County Commission to take immediate action that will restore the quality of life to Moab and Grand
County residents. The mayhem brought to Moab on a daily/weekly basis is taking its toll on all of us. Read
about Barcelona, Spain, and what happened there when locals went nonlinear over excessive tourism. I’m
sensing local citizens are getting closer and closer to either going that route or simply moving out.
Thanks for the hard, impossible work you all do. Regards,
10-14-2020 Jon Kovash I would like to invite you all to listen to 90 minutes of citizen input on UTVs that will be broadcast
tomorrow (Thursday) at 2 PM on KZMU. If you are unable, by Friday or Saturday it will be available
at KZMU.org
10-15-2020 ghoriginals@ While I am in favor of abolishing it- Rally on the Rocks is not solely responsible for the noise pollution
residents are experiencing. I think the State Government is guilty of the same type of governmental
overreach they accuse the Federal Government of engaging in. I'm disgusted at Governor Herbert's
decision to compel Grand County to endure such rampant abuse of a law designed to allow ranchers
to drive to their local gas station.
That being said, the solution seems obvious: These vehicles should have to be trailered to the trail
heads. The community is fatigued by displays of naked aggression from long parades of such
vehicles roaring through residential areas. I'm a long time resident of Moab, and don't remember ever
being so acutely aware of how road noise is amplified as it echoes off surrounding cliffs.
Thank you for your efforts on behalf of our (stressed out) community!
10-15-2020 Clint Kelfer Hello,
I would like to express my concern over the issues being discussed about the road usage for off road
vehicles, specifically UTV's. From what I have learned there are a handful of residents that are
unhappy with the noise caused by UTVs driving around town.
I can totally agree with them, if I lived there and had to deal with it, I would be upset as well. I believe
the founder of UTV Utah has offered some very helpful solutions as well as paying for the solutions. I
also would like to understand why we can't count on local law enforcement to enforce the sound
ordnance and speed limits around the high traffic areas that lead out to the national parks. I would
like to understand how we can continue the discussion in how we can work together to come up with
a reasonable solution that works for all parties.
Thank you for your consideration.
10-15-2020 Bud Bruening
President of UTV Utah
Dear Grand County Council,
I am the President of UTV Utah, we are Utah’s largest offroad group with almost 23,000 members throughout
the state of Utah that are all UTV owners. I send you this email on behalf of our organization. There are over
200,000+ registered OHV users in the state that share the same opinion. I was given this email address to
contact you by many local members of our group at UTV Utah and even a few others that do not own offroad
vehicles but are residents. I want to make it known that our group at UTV Utah would like to help with some
of these issues that Moab and it’s Grand County residents are faced with. I think the consensus is that the UTV
community doesn’t think there is a problem with noise or that the local residents opinions do not matter.
That could not be further from the truth. We have had many phone calls and meetings with local politicians in
city council members trying to come up with some solutions to fix the noise issue that is affecting some locals.
Our group has presented many viable solutions and even offered to bear the expense of those solutions so
that it is not a burden on the city or their residents. The UTV community through UTV Utah would like to let
Moab locals know that understand their complaints and want to work to resolve them. We want to do so in a
way that does not target an entire user group and prevent law abiding citizens from exercising their right to
drive on the roads legally and respectfully.
Here's a brief list of just a few options we have proposed to try and address the issue of noise in Moab. We
consider these viable short term and long term solutions to the issue.
•Lower speed limits on residential streets in Moab for UTV’s. UTV’s do not have a sealed engine
compartment and much of their noise comes from the inner workings of the engine, drivetrain, clutch
and exhaust. These machines run at a much higher RPM versus a car going the same speed, By
reducing the speed and RPM’s of the machine we reduce the noise they make drastically. This items
alone could have a huge impact on the issue we are faced with.
•Preferred routes, UTV community and many locals have proposed preferred when in the city. By
choosing streets that are more protected or isolated from sound we can reduce the noise and stress
put on the streets that are a problem.
•Additional signage for UTV’s. We have offered to pay for and pay to install signs around town in
identified problem areas to let users know to “Throttle down in town”, “Do it like a Local”, “Turn
down your radio” and other messages that would get the point across and help with these issues.
•Additional citations to UTV users that are breaking the law. We want those breaking the law to be
cited. These individuals do not represent the UTV community as a whole and we fully support cracking
down on them heavily.
•Additional enforcement of the noise ordinance. Utah law has a noise ordinance in place already and
this ordinance needs to be enforced. Loud machines and stereos should be cited accordingly. There
are bad apples in every type of user group. We need to focus our efforts there rather than law abiding
respectful users.
•Additional classes and education for those renting a machine in Moab. We have offered to develop
education videos and material that would be shown to anyone renting a UTV in Moab city. This
information would heavily discuss noise, staying on the trails, being respectful, etc.
•Billboards and other signage. We have offered to create signage as you come into town to remind
people to be respectful and outline the issues discussed above.
The options proposed are not all of the options that are available but we feel like these options would have a
huge impact on addressing the issues that people are complaining about.
In many meetings it has been discussed to create a curfew or ban of street legal machines within the city. We
do not support this kind of legislation that targets a specific user group based on what they drive. Street legal
UTV owners pay more in taxes and registration fees at the moment than any other user group by a large
margin. The additional fees are paid so they have the right to drive on the roads and off the road on
designated trails. They are paying fees for both because they have the ability to do both. By creating
legislation that would target a specific user group we are also targeting many law abiding citizens. There are
many instances where a street legal machine is the only method of travel for some. We also have instances
where a quick run from home or the trail to the hospital would be illegal and could severely impact someones
life. Many of the trail heads do not have sufficient parking to accommodate trucks, motorhomes or other
vehicles and their trailers. This is a big issue. A lot of people travel to Moab in their RV with a trailer, having to
trailer their street legal machine to a trail would produce significant amount of traffic, emissions, sound and
more and then parking them at the trail head would be next impossible.
Let me add, 2020 has created the perfect storm for a noise issue. The residents in Grand County and Moab
City saw a complete tourist closure earlier this year Due to Covid which resulted in an abnormally quiet town
and empty streets for that duration. With the restriction lifted we have seen the tourists come back to the
city. We went from one extreme to the other in a very short period of time. The traffic and recreation we saw
during the Covid restrictions is not accurate and does not generate the revenue needed for the city, the
county and all businesses to survive.
Residents of Moab, the UTV community understands and recognizes the issues you are faced. We would
encourage you to work with us on some solutions and let us help fix these problems. We are not bad people
that don’t care about the problems you are faced. We want to help in any way that we can.
If I can help with anything regarding this topic please reach out to me. I would also like to talk to someone
about running an ad in the paper targeting UTV users about these issues as well as local residents letting them
know we care.
Successfully,
10-15-2020 Chris Tolman
Vice President of UTV Utah
Members of Grand County Council-
The UTV community hears and understands the frustrations that the residents of Moab are
expressing. As a part of the leadership team of UTV Utah, we are working diligently with members of
our community to educate those who enjoy recreating in Moab about the laws that are to be followed
and remembering to be respectful of Moab. We realize that we are guests in Moab and behave
accordingly.
After reading through the comments and concerns raised in the Moab city council meeting, there are
lots of residents who do not understand the current laws that are in place in Utah. It is clear that while
the UTV community needs to be more aware of the impact that they can have, the city of Moab
needs to educate its citizens and set fair and realistic expectations from now on.
1.UTVs are street legal and, as such, have the same rights as any other street vehicle. Currently,
they do not have the ability to discriminate against UTVs.
2.UTVs run at higher RPMs. Due to this, UTVs will have a louder sounding exhaust, stock or not.
3. It falls on the city of Moab to enforce the laws. If Moab is not enforcing the laws currently existing,
then that is a failure on their part and should not be taken out on the UTV community.
4.UTVs do not create any more pollution than any other street-legal vehicle. UTVs are required to
pass the same emissions standards as all other street-legal vehicles.
5. The UTV community is more than willing to work with the city of Moab to assist with designated
routes, lower speed limits, etc. We have offered to work together; however, the city council has
declined any type of partnership as their only goal is to ban UTVs and are not willing to consider any
other outcome.
6. Trailering UTVs to a trail is not an option. The congestion that will be created will triple the traffic in
downtown Moab. Imagine 30 diesel trucks and trailers trying to navigate downtown Moab, gas
stations, restaurants, etc. Furthermore, there is not ample parking at the trails, which would create
more issues as well. Having UTVs be able to ride to the trails is a huge advantage compared to the
alternative.
These are just a few of the points that need to be taken into consideration. Attempting to ban street
legal UTVs would create an immediate discrimination complaint that would be easy to defeat. I would
much rather see Moab find common ground and work with the UTV community than try to go down a
path and start a losing battle.
10-15-2020 Punkin Webb-Arnett Hello, my husband and I have been coming to Moab since 2016 to enjoy your beautiful red rocks with
our OHV. We usually meet with about 10-12 other, out of state couples, who also ride OHVs. When
in Moab, we stay for 30 days. We buy groceries, eat out, and buy tee-shirts and stickers. We truly
enjoy our time in Moab and experiencing the OHV trails.
It has come to my attention that you are considering a ban on OHVs. Please, help the OHV
community to know what we can do to help the community and keep the city streets open to street
legal OHVs.
I realize how fortunate I am to enjoy your town and county. Moab is like no other place I’ve been to. I
want to continue to use my OHV in Moab. Thank you,
10-15-2020 Shane Firestack Good afternoon, my name is Shane Firestack and I live in Grand county just south of Moab. I am writing to
comment on the meeting that will be held between the city and the county.
I first off would like to say that I agree something needs to be done to help the locals with the noise issues. I
however am a local who rides and after watching the city meeting on Tuesday the 13th of October, I have the
feeling that the Mayor wants a solution that does not require her or her team to spend any money or
resources to help resolve the problem. There were some good comments from a couple of citizens that are
reasonable items to try.
I feel that if our law enforcement teams are more aggressive on speed limits alone, that will significantly
reduce the noise level across the board. Also, LEO's are performing a traffic stop, typically you ask for license
and registration and insurance. If they don't have it or it's not the right information via Utah law, make them
come and load it on a trailer. Do not allow it to continue on the road.
We OHV riders her in Utah pay a significant amount to afford ourselves the ability to be "street legal" and I
know for a fact that quite a few users come here and are not legal to the letter of Utah Law.
I also believe that the rental companies need to do a better job of explaining how to drive an OHV on the
streets of Moab. I see an awful lot of "rentals" that are just plain rude and disrespectful.
When I ride, I am always aware that my machine can be loud and bother my fellow Moab residents, so I try to
keep the minimum amount of throttle at any given time. I also ride slow when I have a group with me so that
everyone in the group is going slower.
In the end, I want to be part of the solution. I belong to a group called UTVUtah and we are trying to come up
with some alternative ways to spread the word about being respectful to our community. One idea is to hand
out flyers to folks at gas stations, parking lots and the like. I really feel that if the city and county are willing to
engage in some discussions, we can try some really great ideas if folks are willing. Please feel free to contact
me via this email and I will also happily provide my phone number at any time. You can also contact Bud
Bruening of UTVUtah and he would be more than willing to join in as well. Thank you for taking the time to
read my message.
10-15-2020 Antoinette Firestack Hello. My name is Antoinette Firestack and I live in Grand County south of Moab. I believe this issue
deserves more discussion and brainstorming to find solutions for this. I would like to see laws
enforced before stricter actions are placed on our OHV access. My husband, Shane Firestack, and I
are willing to assist in bringing ideas to the table and listen to the community concerns so we can
come together and create this as a community.
Please feel free to reach out to me so we can be part of the solution. Thanks,
10-16-2020 Josh Bruening I am a life long native to Utah and I 100% oppose the banning or regulating what hours we can use
our street legal UTV I pay the taxes to drive on the road and disagree with discriminating against the
UTV community which is the life blood of Moab whether you agree with that or not it’s true. I am open
to resolving this with enforcing existing noise ordinances and maybe lowering speed limit on surface
streets. But we can not be discriminated against anymore this needs to stop.
Total: 71
Tallies: Upset about the UTV noise: 26
Upset about noise / Keep the stipulations on Rally on the Rocks event : 20
Upset about noise / Cancel Rally on the Rocks event: 13
Neutral / Educational about UTV noise: 3
Supports Rally on the Rocks & organizer’s objections to stipulations
& offers ideas for sound mitigation: 2 (same person)
In favor of UTV’s on streets / Let’s solve it / Law Enforcement needs
to do more: 7
Ride with Respect’s letter attached below
Ride with Respect
395 McGill Avenue
Moab, UT 84532
435-259-8334
501(c)(3)
February 4th, 2020
Mary McGann
Grand County Council
125 E. Center Street
Moab, UT 84532
Dear Mary:
Thank you for requesting a summary of the suggestions I made at our January 24th meeting with other
county staff, city staff, local outfitters, and state/national organizations representing off-highway vehicle
use (OHV use, which includes off-highway motorcycles, ATVs, side-by-sides, and some 4WD vehicles).
Noise concerns, particularly from side-by-side vehicles (which some people call UTVs and which the
state classifies as Type II ATVs), ha ve persisted for over five years. I generally stand by the opinion
piece I wrote in 2016. Efforts like the City of Moab's lobbying to remove street -legal side-by-sides from
city streets seems like a waste of taxpayer money when the resulting bill (a) is quite unlikely to pass the
Utah legislature, (b) alienates side-by-side enthusiasts from being part of the so lution, and (c) would do
nothing to resolve noise concerns everywhere else in the county.
By the same token, to deny that noise concerns have any merit would be equally fruitless because (a) the
concerns clearly extend beyond the traditional adversaries of OHV use , (b) OHV advocates who simply
deny noise concerns wo n't be in position to ensure that the remedies are OHV-friendly, and (c)
unresolved noise concerns breed animosity that needlessly threaten trail access and other OHV interests.
Since resolving this issue will take a combination of measures, we should be open to considering new
ideas, but we should also recognize when subsequent investigation yields limited potential. Redu cing the
speed limit hasn't done very much to reduce sound from side-by-sides. Encouraging side-by-side drivers
to use alternate routes would be great if non-residential streets existed around Moab, but they generally
don't. Granted, marking the primary routes to various trailheads could help to increase efficiency, which
is essentially navigational marking rather than the marking of alternate or preferred routes. But again
this impact will be limited since most noise concerns do not result merely from lost drivers.
Therefore we suggest focusing on three remedies in the following order. First and foremost, inve st in
more education by improving the Throttle Down campaign and then going beyond it. Something like the
Moab Area Travel Council's "5 Great Tips..." video could be more widely distributed, especially at OHV
rental businesses. This could be done on a voluntary basis, or it could follow Florida's model for renting
personal watercraft (aka Wave Runners), in which rental customers must watch a brief video followed
by a simple exam that takes a total of less than twenty minutes. In fact, such an operator license could be
required of all adults who operate OHVs, whether they rent or own. Oregon requires all adults to
complet e a two-hour course before operating OHVs, while most other states including Utah require only
youth to complete a course, which takes several hours to complete. This multi-hour time commitment
may be unrealistic for rental customers, but any educational course should be long enough to cover more
topics than noise (such as RwR's motto of "caution ~ consideration ~ conservation" that represents
respecting oneself, others, and the land, itself). Mandating adult OHV education would need to involve
(a) OHV groups, (b) the OHV Program of Utah State Parks, and ultimately (c) the state legislature. In
the meantime, Grand County could do even more than it already has done to reach people voluntarily.
Second, since vehicle sound is not only a function of the operator's behavior but also of the vehicle's
equipment, Grand County should utilize the stationary sound -testing procedure that the OHV industry
developed so that mufflers could be measured in the field (not just in the laboratory). With this
procedure, known as SAE J1287 or the "twenty inch" test, a cap of 96 dB prevents the failing of any
stock (unmodified) vehicles as well as those outfitted with afte rmarket mufflers that are advertised as
being 96 dB or less when measured by J1287. Simply educating OHV operators of the 96 dB standard
and offering educational sound testing (which RwR can perform) would help raise awareness of the
importance of effective mufflers. The 96 dB standard could become a requirement locally or statewide,
as it is in a dozen states including New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana. Similar
standards could be required for street motorcycles (based on SAE J2825), automobiles (based on SAE
J1492), and even snowmobiles (based on SAE J2567). Grand County should work with the affected user
groups before pursuing these requirements but, for the OHV user group specifically, we can assure you
that the J1287 test has worked well for nearly forty years. Even merely requesting compliance with the
standards of these industry-funded sound tests could help to reduce the outliers, which are the unusually-
loud vehicles that are responsible for a lot of the noise concerns.
Third, since throttling down and meeting the 96 dB standard wouldn't be quite enough to completely
resolve the noise concerns with side-by-sides, Grand County could request that manufacturers produce
their line of side-by-side models to consistently exceed the federal standard for sound. (The federal
standard for OHVs is 82 dB from a distance of fifty feet as the vehicle passes by, which requires a
laboratory setting for accuracy, hence the stationary sound -testing procedures developed to provide an
equivalent standard of 96 dB at t wenty inches that can be measured accurately almost anywhere.) The
vast majority of side-by-side models already exceed the federal standard (by measuring between 87 and
92 dB via the stationary sound test). Unfortunately a few of the most popular side-by-side models
measure between 93 and 96 dB. On top of that , these models have continuously-variable transmissions
(CVTs) that require operating at a higher engine speed (i.e. RPM) in order to propel the vehicle forward.
Further, some of these models produce a sound quality that is more distracting to the majority of people.
In contrast, mo torcycles that likewise measure between 93 and 96 dB generally cause fewer noise
concerns because their sound quality is less distracting, their transmissions allow riders to shift into a
higher gear in order to keep the engine speed down, and their lower weight tends to allow for lower
engine speed. (The typical weight of off-highway motorcycles is 200-300 lbs compared to 1,000-2,000
lbs for side-by-sides.)
For these reasons, manufacturers should agree to make all their side-by-side models exceed the federal
sound standard by four decibels (or more). This is entirely possible without significantly compromising
the power, weight, or cost. It simply depends on getting all manufacturers—probably through their trade
association—to recognize that reducing side-by-side sound by a little bit would help their long-term
outlook a lot. In response to Grand County's request, side-by-side manufacturers are likely to point out
that (a) they oppose side-by-side use on streets and other paved surfaces, (b) they paid millions of
dollars for SAE to develop stationary sound testing that could ensure the use of effective mufflers, and
(c) noise concerns are largely a function of the operator's behavior which warrants education more so
than vehicle redesign. Therefore it would be important for Grand County to clarify that (a) noise
concerns extend beyond residential neighborhoods to campgrounds / trails / livestock range / wildlife
habitat, (b) Grand County will utilize the stationary sound -testing procedure in some fashion, and (c)
Grand County will continue investing in the development and distribution of educational materials to
promote responsible riding practices (although CVT models leave the operator with less ability to reduce
sound). In order to persuade a billion-dollar industry to self-impose a more stringent standard, Grand
County would need to demonstrate that it's utilizing the available resources, and that those resources
aren't quite enough to resolve the noise issue.
Grand County should also demonst rate that it is working with OHV groups including RwR. Finally we
encourage you to engage the new Motorized Trails Committee. If asked, the MTC could develop
recommendations, and it could assist with implementation.
Thanks t o you and the other Council members for trying to resolve noise concerns while maintaining
OHV opportunities as a critical component to the lifestyle and livelihood of our community.
Sincerely,
Clif Koontz
Executive Director
Timestamp Your Name Your Comment
10/12/2020 8:27:42 AllIson VanLonkhuyzen
I think Moab should opt out of the state that allows OHV’s on residential roads. We should NOT allow OHV’s on our residential roads. The noise is excessive and maddening. If this can’t
happen OHV’s should be required to have mufflers. Companies would have to COMPLY and law-enforcement would have to ENFORCE.
10/12/2020 8:33:43 Sheri Simmons
The noise from OHV and other trucks and cars with excessively loud mufflers is extremely disruptive to our community. Please enforce a noise limit. It is unacceptable to allow rental
companies to rent OHV without mufflers to drive thru town and it is unacceptable to let them disturb our backcountry as well.
10/12/2020 9:58:20 Sallie Hodges
I see the noise from UTV’s in Moab as a mental health issue. https://www.brainfacts.org/thinking-sensing-and-behaving/diet-and-lifestyle/2018/noise-pollution-isnt-just-annoying-its-bad-for-
your-health-062718
10/12/2020 10:24:57 Robin Straub
My husband and I are VERY overwhelmed and STRESSED OUT every day with utv/atv traffic noise on 100 N and 400 E and would like better silencing mufflers required of these vehicles,
NO utvs allowed through our residential neighborhoods and fewer utv rental businesses in town. It is our opinion that the shear number and noise pollution produced by atvs is ruining our
ability to enjoy a peaceful life here in Moab. We believe the noise ordinance is being constantly violated because these machines have to run at high rpms constantly. Atvs are not designed to
drive through cities and could be trailered to all trail heads. Since Salt Lake City does not allow atv/utv traffic through their neighborhoods it seems to us Moab has the right to require the
same. Noise pollution from atvs has definitely made our life here in our home and back yard a nightmare and unlivable if new noise pollution rules and regulations are not quickly put in place.
Also, we feel Rally on the Rocks is contributing to the already severe noise pollution and their permit should NOT be renewed!
Thank you for your attention to this very serious problem,
Robin Straub
Phil Wagner
10/12/2020 10:35:05 Stefanie biron
I hope the city considers how limiting noise pollution in regards to OHV will continue to benefit lives and well being of residents. My hope is that less emphasis is brought on expanding this
tourist user group and more effort is put into actually improving quality of life for individuals living here.
10/12/2020 10:48:29 Bill Groff
Some suggestions to ponder. Trailer UTV’s to trailheads. No more new utv rental or tour businesses. All utv rental & tour business must have quiet mufflers installed. More enforcement,
such as more police officers & Sherif Deputy’s. Speed & noise traps on the most active roads. Ban all UTV’s in Grand County. Make fines for unlicensed UTV’s extremely expensive.
I realize some are almost impossible, but..........
Sorry these are random, but ideas for you to ponder.
Thank you
10/12/2020 11:34:58 BRUCE CONDIE
I live just outside the Moab city limits on Murphy Lane. For years I have been assaulted by the incredible noise coming from ATV's and UTV's. Each year the din has become noticably worse.
I am strongly in favor of strict enforcement of existing vehicle regulations relating to noise, speed limits, vehicle registration, vehicle insurance, and inspections. It seems to me that revenues
for more law enforcement could easily be generated by issuing citations to violators. Businesses in town should not be allowed to rent machines that violate noise rules or other ordinances. I
am STRONGLY OPPOSED to designating routes through town. Defacto routes already exist on the main roads and the resisdents living near them are already suffering from the racket. To
designate these routes would only make things worse. In my opinion, Moab should break from state law and require trailering these machines to trailheads, just like every civilized city in the
world requires.Thank you for considering my comments.
10/12/2020 11:42:07 Tom
The noise and air pollution of these UTVs is intolerable, and is unacceptable in a time of drastic and escalating climate change. The noise pollution both in town and out on our fragile
landscapes is annoying to humans, and detrimental to the habitat for the wildlife in the region. The carbon dioxide emissions from these UTVs is contributing needlessly to climate change. We
should not be burning fuel for recreation. The damage to cryptobiotic soils is uncontainable. Ban these useless nuisances from our town, from public roads, from our wilderness, and from our
lives. The only acceptable use for UTVs should be for legitimate ranching and farming activities, where vehicles of this nature are needed for operations.
10/12/2020 11:47:13 Kaki Hunter
I encourage and applaud the City Council for taking action with the excessive noise from OHVs on public streets. I support all the tactics listed on the agenda with an emphasis on self
regulating the use of OHVs within City limits. I think we need to tackle this issue from all angles to make it known that Moab residents deserve to maintain their quality of life as well as support
the many visitors that come here.
MAKE MOAB QUIET needs to be a campaign slogan that the Travel Council urgently supports. Unregulated sound pollution caused by one special interest group is a demonstration of
favoritism at the expense and welfare of the rest of the community. OHVs DISTURB THE PEACE / GET THEM OFF OUR PUBLIC STREETS!
The State Legislature outlawed smoking in public places to protect the health of its citizens. Noise pollution needs to be treated with as much concern for public health. Noise pollution
degrades the quality of life and lowers property values.
The State Legislature has turned our public streets and neighborhoods into highways for commercial exploitation for one special interest group. OFF ROAD VEHICLES should be BANNED
from PUBLIC STREETS. Just as smoking has been banned from public spaces.
Require all UTVs / ORVs / Side x Sides / personal 4x4 ATVs be electric by 2022.
No exceptions.
Moab City - Citizens to be Heard . 10-13-2020 meeting
Timestamp Your Name Your Comment
10/12/2020 12:06:22 Sarah Topp
I live on Murphy Lane, just outside the city limits. Excessive noise has been PROVEN to cause health problems, so this issue goes beyond mere annoyance.
I am strongly in favor of strict enforcement of existing vehicle regulations relating to noise, speed limits, and vehicle compliance. It isn't just UTV's, there are incredibly noisy pickup trucks
roaring up and down the streets too. Noise ordinances and speed limits are in place and need to be enforced. Suggesting that people obey the law is not good enough. Revenues for more
law enforcement could be generated by issuing citations to violators. I don't think we're in any danger of losing tourists if we start enforcing the laws.
Businesses in town should not be allowed to rent machines that violate noise rules, and should only be allowed to rent machines that are mufflered. I am opposed to allowing new UTV rental
businesses unless they are renting mufflered machines.
I am very strongly opposed to designating routes through town. This will only make it unbearable for those living along designated routes and it won't lessen the background roar that you can
hear from miles away.
In my opinion, Moab should break from state law and require trailering these machines to trailheads, just like they used to do. This should be top priority for our mayor and city council to
address the state. Our town is becoming a motorized free-for-all, and this is unacceptable to those of us who live here.
Also, if the city has the power to regulate what type of businesses operate here, you need to pull the plug on the flying motorized parachutes. It's bad enough we have noisy streets, but to
have them flying low over people's back yards is atrocious.
Thank you for considering my comments.
10/12/2020 12:33:49 Bobbie Day
I’m respectfully asking that GC stop all commercials from the travel council regarding a destination for ORV and or any other obnoxious vehicle use. We are over ran, and fed up. How much
more do you think we can take? There are no noise enforcement whatsoever. Ppl camp wherever they want. Something needs to be done before it’s too late.
10/12/2020 12:40:29 Barbara Zinn
The UTV noise in Moab is intolerable. As a long-time resident, I am angry that I cannot sit on my porch or in my backyard without being continually blasted by roars and squeals. Although I
installed expensive windows that have always blocked most sounds, these days the UTV noise penetrates these. Even inside my home I am now bombarded by this racket.
I support all five of the proposed options, but additionally, and I believe most importantly, the Travel Council needs to stop promoting Moab as a motorized destination. We have always had
lots of visitors who come for our peace and quiet. I have spoken to many people who say they have stopped visiting Moab because it is overrun by unbearably loud motorized recreationists.
Please make strong noise ordinances, institute metering, and do not permit large OHV events or issue business licenses to OHV rental businesses. We need to show the Utah legislature that
we have done our local due diligence in addressing the noise issue, to encourage them to change their laws.
10/12/2020 13:35:13 Carol Mayer
I think we know how hard it is to put the "genie" of OHV Tourism back in the bottle once its giant bottle cap got unscrewed. So now that it has manifested into a gargantuan problem for
residents that are not directly and financially benefiting from pre-dawn to pre-dawn OHVtraffic noise in our rock-lined valley, what can we do to mitigate the horrible unintended consequences
of the State allowing them to be everywhere in Moab and Grand County? You have several choices in front of you enabling the start to change the status-quo. But how about discussing the
end result we are trying to achieve? We don't want to STOP tourism (I personally wish we could reduce it by at least 50% but since we are still building hotels and overnight rentals at a
dizzying pace the effective date for that wish was 2018) but we want QUIETER tourism. I propose your item numbers 1 and 3 TO BEGIN with followed by a huge (maybe TRT funded)
campaign that would make the END RESULT an ordinance that only electric engines on OHV's and muffled Dirt Bikes would be allowed to be driven on streets in town and in the county.
Otherwise they must be trailered. Your Item #4 would then take care of itself, the genie doesn't get screwed and residents will maybe, hopefully, finally have some relief.
10/12/2020 13:59:25 Serena Supplee
The noise in Moab is an untolerable high. The big groups of side by sides going down the street stifles life, & the thoughts in my head. They are even out at 2am now. If we can't get them off
the streets can we make the groups smaller or give them a curfew for the streets of Moab, some kind of new boundary so we can have hours that are quieter?
10/12/2020 14:08:50 Nissa Holleman
I am very happy to see you are discussing UTV's and noise in Moab. The noise is becoming too much for our town. It's making living in town unbearable and stressful. Though aside from the
noise, UTV drivers are also seeming to be very disrespectful of traffic rules. It seems people driving UTV's think they can do whatever they want here because they're in their special little dune
buggy. I would like to see tourism go back to hikers, mountain bikers, photographers, nature lovers and people with quieter interests. If we are going to have UTV's on the street, they need to
be as quiet as an ordinary vehicle. The quality of our town is being ruined. I often think our town just looks trashy like we don't care about anything except money.
10/12/2020 15:30:12 Janet Buckingham
I am writing to voice my concerns with what has happened to Moab in the past 5-10 years. None of it has been good. The noise, the traffic, the motels, the out of control tourism and finally
the unbearable presence of UTVs has ruined Moab. I have lived here for 30 years. I raised my son here. It is not only home physically, but in my heart, yet every day I think about moving
away because of what an unlivable place it has become. And it's not just those of us who moved here in the last few decades, it's "old Moab" too. In my husband's work, he talks with the old
timers all the time, those born and raised in Moab, and they hate UTVs and everything they bring with them as well.
The most pressing issue (although it's hard to separate them) is the noise. Grand County MUST STOP advertising Moab as the motorized adventure capitol of the world. The state should
certainly stop advertising Moab as a "Covid Vacation" spot. Looking at the options you listed for discussion, I would say "almost all of the above." Instruct the PD to write more tickets (and
make them hurt) which will generate more revenue so you can hire additional officers who can help control the mayhem. Fight the state! Go against state law and write an ordinance
restricting UTVs from ALL of our roadways. Be the bold, extraordinary town we've always been known to be. Definitely put a moratorium in place on any new UTV rentals. There are enough!
I do not like the option of designating a UTV route through town. That is simply going to push the problem into one area of town, which is unfair to residences and/or businesses on that route.
You might as well declare that route a sacrifice zone or disaster zone because every business and home owner would move out! As far as new noise ordinances or decibel measurements, I
feel like both of those would be a waste of time and resources, especially if they are not going to be enforced.
I really encourage you to do whatever you can to reclaim Moab. I would support anything that would make UTV tourists feel unwelcome here. If they threaten to move their events and "fun
pig" style recreation to St. George or Kanab, tell them bye, bye!
Thank you for listening. Best of luck.
Timestamp Your Name Your Comment
10/12/2020 15:45:34 Josephine Kovash
Specific comments on Agenda Item 8.1, in addition to my letter already sent to the Council, addressing each possible option for mitigation of OHV noise. 1.) With noise metering, is it possible
that the revenue from citations could pay for the expense of enforcement? This would be a good option if combined with others. 2.) I live on Locust Lane, and anyone like myself who lives on
or adjacent to a main trailhead access point (Sand Flats and Kane Creek) would continue to suffer even with designated routes. You cannot get around the fact that these trails have to be
accessed THROUGH residential neighborhoods. 3.) This would be good in combination with option #1, even if it would have to wait until next June to take effect. (Perhaps companies would
begin earlier if option #1 was implemented speedily.) 4.) This needs to happen yesterday! But good in combination with options 1 & 3. 5.) Yes! In conclusion, all options minus option 2 should
be done in tandem, with the hope of eventually achieving the ability to locally opt out. And lastly, on the idea of a curfew, I strongly advocate that this is not just a nighttime issue. I am a stay at
home parent and also there is a pandemic keeping many of us home more than usual, and we deserve to have this mitigated during ALL hours of the day for our health, sanity, and that of our
children as well. Thank you.
10/12/2020 16:21:36 Mary Weingarden
I have been a resident here for thirty years. This is not the Moab I fell in love with and moved to.
I'm weighing in about the incessant noise which is decaying our quality of life.
The silverlineing to this Springs pandemic shutdown was the reminder of what a noise free Spring in Moab is like. It was lovely! I could hear the birds singing.
What we have here is bordering on unhealthy.
I just read an article on how continuous noise negatively affects children's learning. This is science.
Please help draft policy to address this continuous incessant noise.
It is not good for any living beings.
Also, I live on a dead end street. This year there has been a constant parade of big rigs with toy hauler trailers coming down to the end and trying to turn around, some end up backing up past
five residents to turn around. This is after passing three signs stating there's no through street and big trailers are not recommend.
I love the Moab I moved to, not what it's devolved to now in 2020.
Please help us restore some quality to our lives.
Thank you
MaryW
10/12/2020 18:15:47 Kiley Miller
My friends who have lived here some for decades are moving away. They can no longer deal with what Moab has become, so loud from utvs and so overrun with tourists. We can’t escape the
roar of motors in our home because it comes through the walls, we can’t find a parking spot at our small neighborhood market or post office because the tourists have taken them all. We can’t
get away from the roar of motors in the backcountry because there’s thousands of utvs out there. It takes twice as long to get home on 191 because utvs and tourists are holding all the traffic
up. The list goes on and on. I feel so sad for the residents of this region I feel so sad for the land and wildlife because we’re all being terrorized by the astronomical increase of utvs as well as
tourists. I lost my mind a few weeks ago when Area Bfe had a utv racing event, I did literally lose my shit. I started screaming the roar of engines all day and through the nite for 3 days. Then I
go to town and get triggered because there they are in our neighborhoods roaring around. It’s wrong it’s got to stop. Sue the state, start enforcing noise ordinances, we need to have a
reputation like Wellington. You don’t speed through Wellington or Richfield. Get the utvs off the street, ban any new proposed utv rental businesses. Our home our community our beautiful
backcountry is being destroyed. It’s unacceptable. Time for drastic measures.
Oh yeah and stop advertising us to the world. Just stop.
Ban them on our streets, let’s see what the state does. Our reps make excuse after excuse blaming us for being a tourist town and saying our local govt deal with it. Ok then we take matters
into our own hands and we make the rules.
At my wits end-
Kiley Miller
23 year resident of this place
10/12/2020 19:51:58 Sheila Strahan
The noise from traffic, particularly from off road vehicles and particularly on the weekends, has become seemingly out of control. I hear the noise from them very late at night (sometimes past
11pm), and very early in the morning (sometimes earlier than 6am). My house is 2 blocks off Kane Creek, but on weekends, I hear and see a constant parade of hundreds of side by sides
that lasts for hours and hours: the sounds of their motors fills the entire neighborhood and is VERY loud. I am hoping that there is a way out community can help mitigate this as it is greatly
decreasing the quality of life for myself and my neighbors. I have heard that some places require off road vehicles be trailered to the trails instead of driving through town. Perhaps this is
something we can do? Or maybe come up with an arrangement where local companies that rent them out can park them at the most popular trailheads, refueling them and re-renting them
there, so that they aren’t constantly being driven through town. Any change would be helpful to cutting out the crazy amount of noise that is plaguing our town. Thank you.
10/12/2020 20:58:53 Leann
When you see pictures of famous Moab in calendars do you envision hearing the horrific noise that goes wit it? It’s terrible and constant nowadays, constant. When I push my children in the
stroller along the sidewalk we stop conversations so many times to wait for them to pass, when we do the pledge of aegiance at my children’s school and it’s interrupted by the parade of atv
noise it’s saddening. Leaving Chicago to come here for the calm nature slower life to raise a family was what we desired but what’s quieter...the hustle bustle Big city noise, or the constant
roaring of ATV’s? I wonder. I really do. If it’s not handled, we are leaving. The noise and crowd. Our favorite hikes are now like a busy city street. It’s not an escape anymore, it’s a crowded big
city on rocks.
10/12/2020 22:20:30 Spencer Finch
As a non-resident of Moab, I find it highly concerning that you are taking actions against the UTV community. As an owner of a recreational vehicle rental company myself, I understand the off
road industry and the struggles that come with it. The benefits far outweigh the struggle. I would propose ways to invite more people to the community so it can thrive. I personally don’t see
what Moab can offer tourists besides the off road trails it has. I know many business owners that have left your community because of the depressing political structure that is crippling your
town. They come to Southern Utah to escape the struggle of what Moab has become and we welcome them with open arms because we know the value they can add to our community. Fix
the problem before everyone is talking about how crappy Moab has become. Because that’s exactly what they are all saying. I heard that phrase countless times at the Tail Hero event last
weekend. Fix it now and you’ll be surprised at how forgiving the off road community can be.
Timestamp Your Name Your Comment
10/12/2020 22:39:45 Bud Bruening
As a resident of Utah and President to Utah’s largest UTV group we understand the issue Moab is faced with. We want to help.
UTV owners pay various taxes and fees to ensure their right to drive their street legal machine on the roads in Utah. The fees paid go towards maintenance and the building of these very
roads. I would encourage Moab City and Council to work on solutions to address the noise problem that doesn’t involve discriminating (via legislation) against an entire user group made up of
more than 200,000 Utahns.
Solutions I would strong encourage be considered:
Lower the speed limit for UTV’s on residential roads. Lowering the speed drastically decreases the sound from a UTV. This would have a huge impact on the noise in town.
Posting “preferred routes” in town and rerouting people through areas that are less dense.
Encouraging specific routes after dark to mitigate noise in targeted areas.
Our group at UTV Utah would be willing to pay for additional signage, education, etc, to help accomplish these goals for Moab residents.
Let me say, as a UTV group we understand the issues the Moab residents are faced with and we’d like to help you solve them. Let’s work on solutions that target the key issues and the key
offenders first and fix that problem. What we don’t support is all out ban or legislation that targets all UTV owners and strips away rights from law abiding citizens. Curfews and legislation
prohibiting law abiding citizens and targeting a specific user group is bad public policy.
If we can be of assistance please reach out. Thank you for your time.
10/12/2020 23:44:49 Marsha Marshall
I have lived in Moab for 67 years. I have spent my life in four different locations and my husband and I worked hard to purchase our home. I have some serious concerns that the value of our
home will be affected by the quality of life along our street due to noise and speeding. We need at least one more City Officer assigned to Moab. Looking at this past Spring and Summer, we
can do better, and must. I have lived at my present 500 W. location for around 20 years and I would estimate at least half of the traffic the past popular weekends this season were speeding (if
not more). I and other family have experienced not being able to get into the driveway without honking, bumper riding, and insults for driving the speed limit. Please do not consider changing it
because there are many more visitors, dog walkers, bikers, and law abiding vehicles, busses, ambulances, businesses, and children all just trying to contribute to the neighborhood. Please
don’t go for the “A few bad apples” Excuse me, but give them a damn ticket so we can get this under control. San Juan County must work together with Moab and Grand. Let’s not blame, but
tame this situation. The signs are flashing and posted. We are over crowded and need to clean this mess up, before some more people are run down or hurt. Sincerely, Marsha Marshall
10/13/2020 6:49:50 Eric
When Hard working Moab locals can’t get rest in their home during the incredibly loud rzr noise season which is more and more constant, or get out of the driveway for 15 minutes due to so
many rxrs in a pack not obeying pubic safety regulations, it’s gone to far. Take them off the roads, highway and Pavement, make a noise ordinance, because it’s not going to get louder if not
done NOW!
10/13/2020 8:21:10 Chloe Hedden
I currently live on 100 South. I have lived in the area since 1979 when I was born here. I've seen this place in a lot of other incarnations. The current Moab is not a place I want to be.
The UTVs roar past my home all day every day. They do not obey the speed limits or any norms of common decency. Revving their engines and generally behaving as if they own the place
(often driving on the wrong side of the road for fun or speeding up if a pet or deer is crossing the road,) they make my blood boil and our town less wonderful.
Silence is one of the great commodities we used to have. It's what brought many of us to live in this wild red desert. It's also what brings visitors from around the world: a chance to reconnect
with some deep part of themselves in the silence of the canyon country. Our town has catered to the interests of a few and sold our town to the off-road crowd. I personally know many hikers
and bikers who used to come here who don't anymore. The crowds and UTV noise are just too much. Not only in town but also out in the desert. I also know plenty of locals, good people who
have dedicated their lives to this place, who are selling their properties and leaving because of what this place has become. Is this really the Moab we want? Run by Fun Pigs for Fun Pigs?
(for those of you who remember that old sign up on I-70)
Do these type of tourists really make our town and the surrounding desert so much better? Do we have to tolerate this? Or can we use our local authority to heavily regulate and perhaps
outlaw them entirely? Please, I beg you, as a concerned citizen who loves this place, represent the people who elected you and get rid of these noisy monsters. Also take note of the new
'flying razors' that are noise polluting our skies recently and deal with that problem before it gets out of hand. Helicopters, low flying planes, jet boats and any other noise makers should also
be heavily regulated.
Thank you!
10/13/2020 8:37:19 Gregory J Child
I reside in Castle Valley and own a home in Moab. UTV noise and recklessness and damage is out of control county-wide. I support city/county opt out of law permitting UTVs to drive around
as if they are cars, on residential streets. I support slapping high user fees/taxes on UTV use.
10/13/2020 9:31:03 Colin Heasman
Colin Heasman - "Excerpt of Post on FB - sorry no photo.."
New Member of 'Make Moab Quiet Again'
"...'Mama' and I enjoying the 'peace & quiet' on our first hike together. She's from Underdog and her last pup was adopted this morning - I'm a recovering Brit and we are helping each other
heal - no pun intended. The point is being able to pick your silence unlike down in Moab. I'm sure not so long ago, as it was in England - that at the very least there were a few hours on
Sunday Morning for a chance at Serenity. I left New York State four months ago and have spent the last three in Moab, I left a plague of leafblowers emitting toxic fumes at obnoxious decibels
and now reveled in the Silence of these Magnificent Magic Canyons that surround us here. However I can no longer ignore the 'noise pollution', it's everywhere - parades of atvs, trucks
bellowing on the '191 Drag Strip' one way, 'Ninja 4cyl Turbo Warriors' the other (where are the cops).
As in NY the few can disturb the many (some are selfish - most oblivious). However in NY many municipalities passed ordinances that governed hours, areas of use and decibel levels. We
had State Troopers testing and diverting 'modified' Harleys away from nesting areas. It can be done, the response here from politicians is predictable and pathetic - they obviously have drifted
away from 'quality of life' concerns of the many. Make your voices heard above the din!
Timestamp Your Name Your Comment
10/13/2020 9:58:50 liz ballenger
Dear Council-
I know you're getting a lot of email on this topic, so I'll keep this short if not sweet. PLEASE do everything you legally can to lower the noise from UTVs in our community. It's gotten noticeably
worse this season, and with UTV rental businesses popping up like weeds in every vacant lot (it seems), it will keep getting worse. Please consider that this recreational user group affects our
community like none other with their noise, emissions, degrading off-road trail conditions, increasing dust, and not to mention excessive use of fossil fuels while we're in the midst of a climate
crisis.
Is this really what we want Moab to be known for-- Motorhead Capitol, where even hotels hand out earplugs to their guests so they're not kept up at night by the UTV noise??
Although I would love to see UTV's completely OFF our city streets, I know that's probably not realistic at this point. Of the options I've heard so far to mitigate the noise issue, requiring
mufflers for any UTVs driven in town makes the most sense. And if they don't have mufflers, they need to be trailered, just like they used to be.
Thanks for listening,
Liz Ballenger
437 Huntridge Dr.
Moab
10/13/2020 10:02:05 Nancy Orr
Last Friday at 11am, an old friend stopped by on his way through town. We stood in my backyard to converse, but were constantly interrupted by UTVs going by on 400 North, making it
impossible to hear while all passed (I counted 11 in one pack.) He commented that he is very glad to have moved away, to Texas, no less. That evening, I had a Zoom meeting where I had to
keep the microphone muted to prevent other attendees from being punished by the noise. This was just a regular day in the life of a 400 North resident.
I must take my phone calls and meetings in my bathroom or back garage in order to escape the noise. I must keep my windows closed on the front of my house to reduce (but not eliminate)
the noise and fumes; no cross-ventilation possible any more. No longer is the noise confined to weekends, and it is not unusual for it to happen late at night. The 25 mph speed limit sign right
at my property line must be invisible to most.
In fairness, not all are obnoxious. Yesterday two side x sides quietly putted by at 15 mph. I wanted to chase them down and thank them - that feels backward and creepy.
I moved to Utah in 1977 and was warned by many that Wellington was a speed trap. I doubt they’ve bothered with a speed trap there for decades, since their reputation is firmly established.
Moab could achieve a similar reputation for noise ordinance enforcement. We are not going to suffer economically if the extremists boycott our town. There are plenty of well-behaved tourists
who will spend their money here, especially if we are reputed to be quieter. It will also help with congestion, since there will be fewer gigantic trailers crammed with Razrs (I have seen two
instances of double trailers, which makes my head explode! Is that even legal?)
I am willing to pony up the funds for one of the Soundtrax LXT N/Forcer meters (at $3233) mentioned in the council packet, if the city will set up a regular checkpoint on 400 N. I suspect others
would also be willing to donate $ or time to an effort to set up checkpoints throughout town. If enough citations are handed out, word will get around.
10/13/2020 10:40:01 Derek Schumann
UTV's are not the only vehicles causing excessive noise on Moab streets (e.g. Harley motorcycles, other off-road vehicles). To single out UTV's in these complaints is discriminatory to the
owners and the UTV community as a whole. The first step should always be education and awareness campaigns; not bans and/or access restrictions.
10/13/2020 10:41:57 Larry Van Slyke
The UTV use and noise, from that use, with the city limits of Moab is ludicrous. The racket started at 0630 this morning. Those units that have some semblance of muffler system are
reasonable for driving the streets within town. Require UTVs to have a factory muffler if driven within the city limits. Set decibel limits. Surely a city government can do that!
10/13/2020 10:42:13 Justin Rosenthal
Even if 1 RZR doesn't violate the noise ordinance, how about 6, or 10?
I live on 1st South and during high season I can have dozens of caravans of 6-30 RZRs cruise by. Even if they're going the speed limit, which they often are, the noise is unbearable.
I work at home and this frequently interrupts my conference calls. I have to apologize to the other professionals on the call and explain that I don't work in a hot rod garage... it looks very
unprofessional.
I support:
1) Designated RZR routes through town - NOT in residential areas, fine for violations.
2) Local regulation of RZR rental companies, but MORE IMPORTANTLY of visitors. Most of the noise isn't the local rental companies, it's the large caravans of people from out of town with
their own modified RZRs, many of which have been modified to be MORE LOUD, not less. This is hard to enforce though, and I don't really expect it to be enforced, so 1 and 4 are more
important.
4) ****Local opt-out of state law**** - how about we manage Moab for the people who live, work, and pay taxes here, and not the tourists who are here for maybe a few days?
Finally, how about a public awareness campaign with signs all over town?
Timestamp Your Name Your Comment
10/13/2020 11:14:47 Carrie Bailey
Thank you Council and Mayor for addressing the UTV traffic and noise issues that are so negative for our community:
I have communicated with our Utah state representatives, Watkins and Albrecht and others in the last few days, about the problems I think we face by allowing UTV vehicles on our city
streets. The say they are unwilling to address state law until our local leaders, elected and law enforcement, take a stand by enacting law and enforcing existing municipal law.
Your proactive agenda tonight is welcomed and supported by many of us citizens who feel we have been ignored and are frustrated by the lack of response to the out-of-control traffic on our
streets. The community group "Throttle Down In Town", while a positive idea with sincere effort in the beginning, turned out to be nothing but signs and talk. Our local Travel Council
continues to focus on advertising and promotion of motor vehicle off road/trail "adventuring" without reasonable planning and thought about the consequences for the community. UTV rental
businesses are set-up on temporary sites in town without reasonable thought or planning. Law enforcement seems over-whelmed. Meanwhile the community finds their homes and public
areas bombarded with noise, trash, over-night street campers, unsafe conditions for pedestrians and children, dangerous speeding vehicles and the blatant disregard for motor vehicle laws.
We are stressed and over-whelmed.
There are always those who want to dampen criticism of any aspect of our local economy, and promote fear-mongering... "we will kill the goose that lays the golden egg".. if we restrict any of
the activity that calls itself tourism. I disagree. If Grand County and Moab don't establish a quality visitation experience soon, one that has common respect for all visitors, the environment,
and community alike, the resulting negative reaction and publicity will only hurt us. Surely a continuation of the loud crazy chaos that Moab and Spanish Valley have been experiencing for
the last few years will eventually affect home and property values, and the economic well-being of the lodging industry too.. This is our home, not a poorly-run factory.
I agree that the 5 options presented on the agenda should all be considered.
Thanks again so much for listening and making efforts to take action.
Carrie Bailey
46 South 200 East
Moab Utah
10/13/2020 11:21:17 Shane Firestack
I am a resident of Grand county, just outside of the city limits of Moab. I abide by and respect all traffic laws and drive my OHV as respectfully as possible anywhere I am at.
I understand that some residents are frustrated with noise and traffic. They also come down my street at high rates of speed which creates additional noise and dangers. We don't have
sidewalks, so there are additional issues. Do not misunderstand, I am not asking for sidewalks, most locals who drive by when you are walking are very respectful and move over and slow
down especially if you have animals with you.
I would like to disagree with section 4. c. ii.of the agenda item, that the "Perception" mentioned about the rental companies not being at fault is quite the opposite. When we are out on trails
and in town, I witness more carless operation of OHV's from rental companies machines and their users (they are easy to recognize) than I do personally owned machines. That does not
imply that personally owned machines do not create problems, just that the majority in my opinion, come from the rental companies. Disrespectful owners and renters alike typically press hard
on the accelerator which in turn creates extra noise that is avoidable by gently accelerating instead.
Another issue, the disrespect of our trails and back country by rental users is high. I stopped once to ask a user this year to please stay on the trail, and their reply was "I paid X amount of
money for this, I can do what I want".
My suggestion, be more proactive at speed checks on the local streets. I find we have way more abuse of this element than anything. Not only would you help reduce folks creating additional
noise, you will increase awareness that we as a town do not accept disrespectful drivers in general. Their are lots of people in all vehicles creating these issues and poor driving habits create
more problems than just noise.
I would like to mention if you do make OHV only routes, how do you expect the locals who do abide by the laws, to maneuver their OHV's from their neighborhoods?
If you set a time limit, how do you expect drivers to get back to their camp, hotel, house, if they were stuck on a trail or started later in the afternoon/evening especially when temps are hot?
I feel the Off Road community is being unfairly singled out because a few locals can't stand the sight of these vehicles. In contrast, I see people of every sport, hobby, passion who are poor
stewards of our town.
10/13/2020 11:44:26 ALAYNE
We bought a home on Murphy Lane in 2010 and thought we were buying in a quite rural neighborhood. It was, until about five years ago. Some days the noise from ATV's is unbearable. This
is clearly disturbing the peace! If we had barking dogs making this kind of noise, we would surely get a visit from the local enforcement. I don't believe the law was intended for these
machines to be racing up and down neighborhood streets, but for farmers to use in rural areas. We feel they should be required to trailer their machines to the trailheads. Please consider the
residents of Moab. We pay our taxes and contribute to the economy as well!!
Thank You
10/13/2020 11:49:46 Ben Rizner
Outside of an assertive, consistent plan to enforce noise restrictions, I believe the only viable option of these 5 is to advocate for an exemption from the law and adopt something similar to
Ouray where vehicles cannot be driven within city limits. In the meantime; I don't think rental companies are particularly large source of OHVs being driven through residential areas, I think
the large majority of vehicles seen are privately owned. Also, I don't see a lot of good in limiting traffic to the main roads, such as 500W, 300S, 400N, Mill Creek, etc. The issue is too many in
these residential areas in the first place, designated routes doesn't change that at all. Moab should explore creating a simple permit system, in which OHVs would have to pass inspection first
and driver sign off on the rules of courteous conduct in town in order to be allowed to drive on city streets. Part of the permit terms would be respecting noise restrictions or other traffic laws,
and if not followed they could be revoked/cited. Permits could be capped at a specified amount per week, to regulate group size, and could be displayed on the vehicle for easy enforcement.
Please take substantive actions on this issue, it's affecting both property values and quality of life for those of us on the main thoroughfares in town.
Timestamp
Your Name Your Comment
I currently reside on Park Road and am so grateful for my location while raising a family, I have close access to schools, parks, pools and fantastic neighbors. Unfortunately, I've been having
more and more experiences in my neighborhood that have diminished these amenities. My family and I are often on foot, stroller or bike and because of the minimal sidewalks we are often on
the side of the street. I'm constantly on high alert for speeding vehicles, distracted drivers, large vans and motorhomes backing out of parking spaces at the park, folks running stop signs and
I'm rarely given the right of way in the crosswalk (yes, the one in the school zone of HMK). I'd expect more traffic and parking enforcement in a school, park and residential zone, but rarely
see any.
10/13/2020 12:09:31 Ariel Atkins
10/13/2020 12:17:02 Lucy Wallingford
10/13/2020 12:35:52 FRITZ BACHMAN
10/13/2020 12:56:38 Lauren
10/13/2020 13:08:02 Serena Supplee
10/13/2020 13:49:32 John johnson
10/13/2020 14:02:21 Colin Evans
In addition to the actual safety concerns are the noise pollution concerns. I suspect with the Entrada Development (45 unit vacation rental touting large spaces and 2 car garages), 400 North
has become the main throughout fare for those coming to Moab where they can operate their otherwise street illegal vehicles. There is a constant humm in my backyard of traffic noise, this I
can live with. But what really starts to impact me is when the noise cranks up between 9pm-11 pm as I'm trying to go to sleep or get a restless toddler back to sleep. I'd love to be able to sleep
with my window open for some fresh cool air, but it sounds like a freeway is going through my house. Even with them shut, I have to use whitenoise makers to help my family sleep. I know
that many complain about the UTV's being the problem but I often hear and see regular vehicles driving at extraordinary speeds in my neighborhood, this is not only agitating but makes me
feel like my families safety is jeopardized and disrespected.
I'm also a small business owner and operate a tent -only campground 2 blocks off Main Street. The amount of noise and traffic has been a topic of complaint among our guests, many of them
here for human powered sports feel impacted by the ever -presence of loud motors, particularly in town. Numerous long-time patrons have been appalled to see how Moab has transformed,
particularly around the UTV's and noise pollution. I implore those within local govemment to make strong noise ordinances, enforce traffic laws including speed limits, enforce parking and
ideally work with the UT legislator to trailer UTVs to the trails so we can have some sanity in our neighborhoods.
The noise issue in Moab City is unbearable. I live on First North between 3rd and 4th East. Some days the noise is almost constant, all day long, starting early and well past dark. Because big
groups of people who travel together each want their own Razor, they travel in packs of 4, 6, 8. You can hear them coming a long time. Then as each one passes it sounds like a dirt bike race
as they pass by, which lasts several minutes. Then you can hear them receding for a long time. If you are standing in your front yard or driveway visiting with a friend, you cannot communicate
as they pass, you can't even yell at each other and be heard. And a few minutes later, it starts all over again.
1.Stop advertising Moab, completely! We don't need any more visitors. We can't even get into town without an hour wait. Moab is over -run.
2.Do NOT designate OHV routes, as that simply funnels all of the noise by one set of houses. There is no street in Moab except the highway that does not have people living on it.
3.Require mufflers, no exceptions.
4.No more rental companies!
5.Set up a curfew, no OHVs on the streets except after 8 am and before 8 pm. The rest of the time people are trying to sleep.
6.Ultimately lobby the state to allow us to get them off our streets completely.
I have friends that are moving away because of this. Please, please, PLEASE deal with this issue. This is the second go round of asking for comment. I dutifully commented last time (four
years or so ago) and zero come of it. Don't send the message that we are wasting our time by commenting.
I know it's not easy. Thank you.
The suggested solutions seem good except for designated routes. That would subject the same people to repeated assaults of noise.
There can be tourism without terrorism. ATVs and UTVs should not be street legal. Mandate that their rental companies and owners tow them to the recreational sites where they are
approved.
In addition, they should aim to become electric- at bare minimum they need better mufflers.
A COVID spring without noise has reminded us all what our town could be. Reminded us of warm days where we can have a conversation on our porches without getting constantly
interrupted by blaring engines.
Tourism will live on. The businesses that rent and people who own these vehicles will adapt to a new system that respects local residents.
We have had enough with the noise terrorism. Give us back our town where we can put our babies down to nap, listen to the birds, cat our family while walking to the library. Give us back a
town that listens to residents, not to blaring motors.
I have lived in Moab for almost 40 years. As many long term residents, I have witnessed the drastic increase in noise. It is not just the OHVs, it is an increase of trucks, and it is worth noting
that not only are they loud but usually driving much too fast. I believe it is well -worth the cost to establish noise -metering and citations. We should also lobby to opt -out of the state law; our
noise situation in Moab is unique. Local regulation of OHV companies and a moratorium on new local companies seem like a given that should have already been put in place. The only option
that does not seem as if it would have a beneficial effect is the designated routes; visitors are not going to follow the suggested signs.
I think we need to treat these visitors a lot better than we do. They come here and spend way more for accommodations, food and other purchases than they do in many other areas. Moab is
recognized now as a city full of UTV haters (ATVs Jeeps and trucks suffered the same scrutiny until UTVs took the stage). I know there is some bad behavior from some in this group (as in
every group) but for the most part I see them going overboard to keep resident annoyances at a minimum. Find the bad ones in the group and reprimand. Don't target the whole group and
practice some tolerance towards the ones trying to do the right thing.
I live on millcreek, and the ohv noise is seemingly endless. It scares my toddler, keeps him up and wakes him up as they continue well into the night. I tried reading a book to him at 7 pm on
our back deck the other night and we couldn't it was so loud for so long. We couldn't get through a 12 page book about a bunny without going inside. I have lived here for 15 years and the
noise pollution of these machines is unbearable. Jeep week is one week, not every god damn day. Do something!I!II