People and Pets NOT “Prison Fencing” on the Orofino Riverfront!

The City of Orofino has purchased the last remaining 175 feet of undeveloped riverfront property on the eastern edge of the city limits with the intention of fencing it off from the public to make an impound yard for confiscated vehicles. The fencing will be 7 feet tall with barbed wire at the top. The City appropriated the riverfront real estate and approved financing for the fenced impound yard without any disclosure to the public.

The plan was never discussed in City Council until the city received a letter of complaint from a citizen. The city plans to move forward with the fencing immediately, blocking off approximately ¼ acre of riverfront property from the public and forcing the public to walk along the tracks.

This area has been traditionally used by people of all ages to walk their dogs because of the easy accessibility as well as the close proximity to town. This public activity was a natural deterrent for homeless campers in that area and transient camps were never a problem. If the fence goes up, it will isolate the riverfront between the impound yard and the city’s only swimming beach creating the perfect habitat for transients just at the edge of town.

Please help stop this horrible decision by the city and save this last bit of riverfront within the city for public use.