Vacation hearing set for Rock Springs Road

Whitman County Public Works Director Mark Storey points out the stretch of Rock Springs Road to county commissioners Monday on the map in the commissioner's room.

Whitman County commissioners voted Monday to approve a public hearing on whether to vacate a section of Rock Springs Road, west of Hay, south toward Riparia. The road is now a dead-end due to previous sections of it already being vacated.

“To vacate all of it would isolate properties,” said Mark Storey, County Public Works director.

County Commissioner Art Swannack asked a question about fighting fires if the proposal is ultimately approved.

Discussion followed about the remote stretch of dirt road.

“It's why you carry fencing pliers in the fire truck,” said County Commissioner Michael Largent.

“The people being affected are the ones asking for it to be vacated,” said Storey.

The commissioners voted to hold the hearing Sept. 5 at 11 a.m.

Vacating a road or a stretch of road means the county will no longer maintain it.