Snowmobiling in the City of Whitehall will be legal this winter for the first time since the mid-1970s after voters Tuesday approved a citizen referendum.
The referendum passed with 795 yes votes to 528 no votes in the unofficial count.
The referendum directs the city council amend the current ordinance to allow for the lawful operation of snowmobiles in the city from Dec. 1 through April 1 between, at a minimum, the hours of 7 a.m. to 12 a.m. on routes designated by the city council.
The city has banned snowmobiling, except for specific and limited events, after voters, three times, defeated proposals to allow that winter recreational use. The last time a proposal was defeated was in 2005.
Efforts to determine a designated route and regulations are expected to begin in a couple of weeks, according to Whitehall City Manager Scott Huebler, who said he spoke with Mayor Emery Hatch.
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