Okanogan Open Roads Coalition

July 2024 Update: The Gates are Open! Help us finish strong!

We're in the homestretch, folks! If we can raise $12,000, then OORC can finish paying our legal debt for re-opening French Creek Road to the public, leaving enough in the bank to continue our important work keeping public roads and waters in the public domain. (OORC is 100% volunteer and all funds go to covering legal fees).

No raffles, sweepstakes, giveaways, or returns on investment are offered in exchange for any donations made to this GoFundMe.

Original Post:

Save our Dirt Roads!

Protect access to Public Lands!

Okanogan County is blessed with an historic network of dirt roads that connect our small towns and scenic public lands enjoyed by everyone.

In recent years, more and more of these roads, which many locals grew up using, have been gated off with prominent No Trespassing signs.

Powerful interests with deep pockets are seeking to claim these roads, and access to the land behind the gates, as their own. They are using every means at their disposal to accomplish their goals.

The last group of County Commissioners started a conversation that is still underway about vacating more roads. Forest Service and DNR roads appear to be on the table as well. The new County Commissioners are under a lot of pressure to give in to the privatization agenda.

We see the growing circle of closed roads around thousands of acres of public land, and we see what is coming - private takeover, and the end of hunting, fishing, horseback riding, four-wheeling and touring - forever. Unless we act.

We, the public who live near, use, and pay for these roads with our taxes need to be engaged in the decision making process at every level.

Okanogan Open Roads Coalition is a diverse group of affected locals, taxpayers and other users who appreciate our county's public lands and roads.

This group exists to support Okanogan County and the State of Washington in restoring and maintaining Public Access, rather than giving in to the powerful interests that seek to privatize the roads and lock up the public lands behind gates

Funds are needed to support legal costs associated with getting the public a place at the decision-making table. Until that happens, we are told that the citizens don't have 'standing' to defend our rights. 

It's time to act, together.