Changes to OPRD Reservation System, Aug. 19

The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) is seeking comments on proposed rules that would amend the Oregon State Parks reservation process. The changes: 1) Provide better customer service by reducing the reservation window from two days to one day, allowing customers more flexibility; 2) Simplify the reservation cancellation process to provide one point of contact and allow cancellations on the web; 3) Reduce the deadline for cancellations and changes from one month to three days prior to arrival for deluxe cabins, deluxe yurts and horse camps which will reduce financial penalties on customers; 4) Refine the rules for group camping to focus on the groups with the most impact on park resources and improve operational efficiency; and 5) Clean up rule language, removing references to old programs. OPRD is seeking public comment on these proposed rule changes through August 28, 2015. Comments will be taken by email, and through a series of five public hearings in August. The proposed rule change will more closely align current cancellation practices, reservation timeframes, and department terminology with rule language. Changes to the cancellation and site change policy for deluxe cabins, deluxe yurts and horse camps will allow customers who use those facilities more flexibility without financial penalties when their plans change. Another rule change is intended to help the department manage large groups who want to camp together in campgrounds designed for individual camping. The major change to the group rules is the elimination of the reservation fee waiver. Other proposed changes for groups are a waiver of the cancellation fee and changing the number of sites that qualify for group camping from ten to twenty. A copy of the proposed rule language and other details regarding the proposed rule changes can be found at: http://www.oregon.gov/oprd/RULES/Pages/Rulemaking Notices.aspx Public comments will be accepted through August 28th and can be sent to the department through regular mail (Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, Attn: Public Comment, 725 Summer St NE, Suite C, Salem OR 97301), by e-mail (oprd.publiccomment@oregon.gov), or in person at one of five public hearings scheduled in August. Those who wish to make public comment at one of the hearings must register with the hearing officer within thirty minutes of the listed start time listed below: * 8/19/2015 – 6:30 PM – Sunset Bay State Park Meeting Hall, 89814 Cape Arago Hwy, Coos Bay, OR; * 8/22/2015 – 9:00 AM – Tryon Creek State Park – Nature Center, 11321 SW Terwilliger Blvd., Portland, OR; * 8/24/2015 – 6:30 PM – Tryon Creek State Park – Nature Center, 11321 SW Terwilliger Blvd., Portland, OR; * 8/25/2015 – 6:30 PM – Valley River Inn, Alsea Room, 1000 Valley River Way, Eugene, OR; * 8/27/2015 – 6:30 PM – Pine Ridge Inn, 1200 SW Mt. Bachelor Drive, Bend, OR