Big motorcycle event needs county permit

Published 4:00 pm Tuesday, January 21, 2014

<p>The Wallowa County Thunder Run, an August 2014 campout of motorcyclists, would be sited on the piece of open ground situated to the right of the bend in Prairie Creek pictured above, right side of photo.</p>

ENTERPRISE While organizers of Josephs annual motorcycle rally are canceling that event for at least 2014, a more recently formed motorcycle group is hoping to launch a big new gathering in Enterprise this year.

The new group, Wallowa County Thunder, was formed by Gary Bethscheider, owner of the Stubborn Mule Saloon & Steakhouse in Joseph. Bethscheiders Wallowa County Thunder Run, as currently proposed, would be a three-and-a-half-day camp-out for visitors bringing as many as 2,000 motorcycles to 154 acres of privately owned farm ground located at 85106 Joseph Highway, an Enterprise address. The property, currently owned by Skyler Willis, is commonly known as the Kooch place for its longtime former owner, the late Creighton Kooch, who raised registered Clydesdales at the site.

The camp-out would feature live music, food vendors, product vendors, a beer garden and biker games, and would be held Aug. 21-24.

The last half of August is typically targeted by the Bronze Bike Motorcycle Rendezvous, a weekend event based in Joseph. Earlier this month, however, Terry DeSpain, coordinator of the Rendezvous, announced a hiatus in that annual gathering, which would have marked its eighth year in 2014.

DeSpain and Bethscheider both say there has been no coordination between their organizations in scheduling the Thunder Run. I was going to do this regardless of whether there was a Bronze Bike or not, Bethscheider said.

Bethscheiders plan requires Wallowa County Planning Commission approval in the form of a conditional use permit. A hearing on that is scheduled Tuesday, Jan. 28, at 7 p.m. in the county courthouse.

Bethscheider says he learned only recently that a permit was required. He said when he originally discussed the matter last summer with a member of the countys Board of Commissioners, the commissioner told him a permit probably wasnt needed because the event was being held on private property. In late December, though, the same commissioner informed him that a permit was indeed required. Bethscheider declined to name the commissioner.

The propertys zoning designation is Exclusive Farm Use (EFU), which does provide for parks and camping as a conditional use.

Planning Director Harold Black said its possible the planning commission would grant the use as a one-year trial. If the body didnt employ the trial device, though, the county wouldnt necessarily remain locked in for future years of the Thunder Run at the site. If county officials felt the event as experienced hadnt adhered to requirements, the planning commission could convene a non-conformance hearing.

Its also possible the planning commission wont grant the permit at all. The staff comment section in the permit application paperwork identifies issues of traffic, noise, security, hours of operation, parking, garbage and sanitary service. Additionally, as Prairie Creek bisects the property, and contains endangered species habitat, the applicant must demonstrate how impact to the riparian and flood zone will be minimized.

A letter from Bethscheider in the application folder addresses a number of those issues.

…I will use Rahn Sanitary for toilet and trash amenities and hope to get a local youth group involved in cleanup after the event in exchange for a donation, Bethscheider wrote. I also hope to have portable showers and hand washing facilities on site. There is currently fencing on both sides of Prairie Creek ensuring bikes and other vehicles will not drive through the creek. Portable lighting will be used to provide sufficient visibility during the night hours. Blue Mountain Security will be hired for the duration of the event.

His letter also states that gates to the property will be locked each night at 11 p.m. although a shuttle bus service would continue to run past that hour.

Live music would be performed until midnight on Thursday, and until 1 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.

I have spoke with Wallowa County Sheriff Steve Rogers about the specifics of the event and he has given it the ok, Bethscheider wrote.

In an interview with the Chieftain, Bethscheider said the Thunder Runs 2,000-bike goal was achievable, but he didnt know if it would be reached in the first year. There could be 500. Im hoping to get 2,000 the first year. It might not happen, he said.

He stressed his belief that, over a period of years, the Thunder Run could bring millions of dollars into this county. His letter to county planners projects a half-million-dollar impact in year one.

And hes anxious to obtain his permit so he can shift preparations into a higher gear. I need to be advertising hard on this, Bethscheider told the Chieftain. He added, Ive put a lot of money in this already.

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