Motocross track hearing promises ‘lively debate’

Whitman County officials expect a lively hearing tonight, Thursday, on the permit application for a motocross track at the Port of Wilma.

Dozens of citizens have contacted county officials about the possibility of a cross-country motorcycle track.

“We should have some lively debate at the hearing,” said County Planner Alan Thomson.

Eric Christiansen and his firm, EC Enterprises, is looking to set up a 30-acre motocross and BMX track near the Port of Wilma, on the Whitman County side of the river downstream from Clarkston.

The site is away from the river bank, across Highway 193 from the port’s Wilma Industrial Park.

Under Whitman County zoning, Christiansen needs a conditional use permit from the county’s board of adjustment.

He announced his proposal last month. Since then, Whitman County’s planning office has received 23 comments from residents, primarily in the valley. Most of the comments have been in support of the project.

“It’s all down there, as far as where the complaints are coming from,” said County Commissioner Pat O’Neill.

The proposed track is in O’Neill’s commission district. He was given a letter last week from Asotin County Commissioner Buck Lane. The letter was written by Clarkston residents who were vehemently opposed to the track.

Those in opposition have cited concerns over noise from the motorcycles echoing through the valley, dropping property values from the nearby track and the potential fire danger.

Christiansen said he has performed sound tests at the Granger wood chipping plant across the road inside the Port of Wilma industrial park. He said the chipper sound was much louder than the American Motorcycle Association noise limit of 96 decibels.

The goal is to have the track up and running as soon as this summer.