CRYSTAL FALLS -- There was a lot of support for the adoption of a new ORV ordinance in Iron County, but some questions still needed to be answered, which is why the County Board of Commissioners held a public hearing Tuesday afternoon.

Under the current draft, the ordinance would allow ORV drivers to use county roads with the intention of utilizing county roads to connect from one trail to another.

"We're not saying, 'Let's go out and ride roads today,'" said Skip Schulz, supporter of the ordinance and founder of the Michigan Trails and Recreation Alliance of Land and the Environment, or Mi-TRALE.  "We can get in a truck and do that."

One of the biggest issues facing the ordinance dealt with teenage drivers.

"With our ordinance, if you're sixteen or seventeen, you must have a driver's license," said Robert Black, District 5 Commissioner.  "Well, Forest Park schools, they don't teach driver's ed anymore."

Black contended that it would prevent a lot of teenagers from using ORVs, which led to an additional provision of the ordinance.

Under the new provision, a person under the age of eighteen can operate an ORV pursuant to the ordinance provided they have one of the following items:  a valid driver's license or, under the direct supervision of a parent or guardian, has the ORV safety certificate.

Under the current draft, the board would have authority over county roads, but not city or village streets.

The ordinance was unanimously passed by those present, however, it won't go into effect until the provision regarding teenagers is added.