Grugan Township Supervisors to Discuss ATV/UTV Usage on Hyner River Road

By Christopher Miller

GRUGAN TOWNSHIP – The Grugan Township Supervisors will be meeting on Thursday, October 9 for their regularly-scheduled meeting at 6:00 p.m.

During this meeting, the Supervisors will be discussing the possibility of allowing ATV/UTV usage along a 4-mile portion of Hyner River Road, along the east side of the Susquehanna River, to “help boost economic incentives in Clinton County,” per a letter that was sent to property owners in the township.

The letter detailed that “several local, private, and government entities are requesting that we allow ATV/UV usage along a 4-mile portion of the road.”

A portion of the road being considered for use is the northernmost four miles from Chapman Township south to Rattlesnake.

The letter goes on to say that if the proposal is approved, it will be for a “trial period of one year with possible extension to three years based on usage, maintenance fees, and Grugan Township taxpayer input.”

If approved, the applicable rules and regulations currently in use for the DCNR ATV/UTV Connector Trail System will be in effect. These include:
ATV/UTV operations will be from Memorial Day weekend to the end of September
Speed will be limited to 15 MPH through Grugan Township due to concerns about road maintenance though DCNR permits up to 25 MPH.
Helmets/PPE must always be worn.
Drivers must be 16+ and properly licensed.
Vehicles must maintain insurance, registration, and Connector Trail permits.
No alcohol, drugs, other hazardous substances or actions.

Other regulations in place can be found at: pa.gov/agencies/dcnr/recreation/what-to-do/atv-riding/northcentral-regional-atv-trail.

A township supervisor told The Record that the supervisors will side with what the land owners want according to the results of a questionnaire that was due back to the township office on Wednesday, October 1.

The questionnaire simply stated:

I support Grugan Township opening Hyner River Road from the pipeline to Rattlesnake for ATV/UTV use.

Or
I do not support Grugan Township opening Hyner River Road from the pipeline to Rattlesnake for AT/UTV use.

The questionnaire allowed spaces for the primary, secondary, and third landowning taxpayers (if applicable and as listed on the Deed) to provide their answers, allowing use of the back of the questionnaire to make additional notes or comments on the matter.

Township supervisors will meet on Thursday, October 9 at 6:00 p.m. to discuss and possibly vote on the matter.