I would like to come up with a fair way to poll Rogue River private boaters about:

- If they think they think there is a problem
- What they think the solution is
- And, if they would support a reservation system

The hard part will be conducting the survey fairly. Any thoughts about how to conduct a survey and what the questions should be?

Which campsites are designated as “large”?

Our original proposal designated 12 camps of the 28 large camps: Lower Whisky Creek, Doe Creek, Tyee, Lower Wildcat, Horseshoe Bend, Battle Bar, Upper Missouri, Mule Creek East (Rogue River Ranch), Lower Half Moon Bar, Brushy Bar, Lower Solitude, and Middle Tacoma.

We spoke with boating groups and they expressed concerns that they would never be able to camp at these sites again, so our newest thinking is that the large camps designated would alternate each year.                

What happens if a smaller group camps in a campsite designated as “large”?  

If the camp is a “reserved” camp, then they would need to share it. Most groups would prefer not to share camps and would avoid “reserved” camps.

How big does a group have to be to qualify as “large”?

This is a great question. We picked 15, but are open other numbers.

Are medium groups always forbidden to use certain campsites?

Nope. The “reservable” large camps would make up less than half of the total large camps and they would alternate each year. Our idea for a large campsite reservation system would only apply in the highly congested period between June 15th and August 31st. It’s very easy to camp at your favorite campsite other times of the year when the Rogue is not as croweded.

If you did a Rogue trip today (November 16th), you’d have sunny skies, 60 degree weather, and the ability to camp anywhere you wanted. You’d also see waterfalls most people don’t, even more wildlife, and have fewer encounters with tamed bears.

What happens on the times when there are lots of small and medium groups but only a few large groups?

During the busy months of June 15th to August 31st, there are always at least 12 large groups on the water at any one time. We realize this plan could cause problems in the spring and fall months because some camps could go unused during that time, so it would not be implemented.

What happens if two groups want the same campsite for the same night?  

If it is “reservable,” the BLM would need to come up with a plan for settling ties. They flip a coin on the Middle Fork and that works very well. It’s a tradition for outfitters on the Middle Fork to always concede the coin toss to private boaters.

What happens if one group totally disregards the plan?  

It is very hard for the BLM to enforce rules on the Rogue River. There should be a common respect between boaters to follow the rules and work together. If a group did disregard the plan, then they’ll need to share that camp.

What happens if another group is camped in the site that you have reserved?

They will need to share. Large groups simply won’t be able to find another campsite downriver so there is not other option.

If someone is camped in the site you had reserved, could you camp in any other site, even if it was reserved by someone else?

Absolutely not. Unless there was a safety concern that forced a group to use a different camp and in that case, they would need to share. But that’s the case now. You MUST camp in a site that is reserved.

The Middle Fork of the Salmon has full campsite reservation system (every camp) and this isn’t a problem there.

If not, what do you do then? 

Campsites are so scarce in the busy summer months, so large groups would want their “reserved” camps. It would not be okay to reserve a camp and not use it. Again, this is tough to enforce by the BLM, but a common courtesy between boaters.

If a campsite reservation plan is implemented, would “rabbit boating” be prohibited?  

No. It would be very difficult for the BLM to enforce a prohibition on “rabbit boating.” This plan would simply eliminate the need for it.

Who would enforce this prohibition?  

The BLM, but as I said above, it would be very hard for them to actually enforce any ban.

How would “rabbit boating” be defined?

It is very tough to define it. I would define it as sending boats ahead to hold a camp. The current system basically forces large groups into this practice. If a portion of the camps were reservable, then large groups wouldn’t need to send boats ahead to reserve camps.

A large campsite reservation system is just one idea for helping with the camping congestion problem on the lower Rogue River. Our common goal is to come up with a plan that will help eliminate the need to send “rabbit boats” down the Rogue.

PROPOSAL FOR REDUCING CAMPSITE CONFLICTS AND ELIMINATING THE NEED FOR RABBIT BOATING ON THE WILD SECTION OF THE ROGUE RIVER

PROBLEM – Large float groups on the Rogue River have a limited number of appropriately sized sites where they can camp. These sites are often occupied by smaller groups which results in campsite uncertainty, campsite competition and user conflicts. The practice of sending a raft ahead to secure a campsite (rabbit boating) has become a necessary practice for large groups in order for them to be more certain of getting an appropriately sized site. This practice creates unwelcome divisiveness on the river and decreases the sense of solitude that is important for all Rogue floaters.

GOAL – Eliminate the need for rabbit boating by providing large groups a higher level of certainty that they will have an appropriately sized camp.

We propose adopting one or more of the following four possible solutions, each with its own level of complexity and effectiveness.

OPTION A: Physically identify each of the major campsites with a sign that gives the name, river mileage and designated group size for the camp.

This proposal would aid river users by letting them know where they are on the river and, in conjunction with an up-to-date campsite list, would help them locate and use an appropriately sized camp. It would eliminate confusion about campsite identity and capacity. This proposal might not significantly reduce the need for rabbit boating because it would not restrict small groups from occupying large sites (it would just make it more obvious that a small group was using an inappropriately sized camp) nor would it eliminate competition between large groups.

This proposal requires the BLM and Forest Service to inventory campsites, create and place signs, (wooden posts, vertical strip signs or small plaques), create and add campsite language to permits and to educate permit holders about using appropriately sized campsites.

OPTION B: Designate certain sites for use by large groups only.

This proposal would designate certain, specific campsites for use by large groups only. It would reduce campsite competition because instead of competing with EVERY OTHER GROUP for large campsites, large groups would only be competing with other large groups. Large groups would be able to communicate and coordinate campsite use with other large groups on the river, which would result in slightly more campsite certainty and would reduce the need to send a raft ahead to secure a camp. Uncertainty would still exist due to layovers and mistakes. The number and selection could be adjusted annually to match demand and to avoid any sense of exclusivity.

This proposal requires the BLM to add a clearly worded stipulation sheet to the face of each permit, to educate groups when they pick up their permit at Rand, to post signs similar to the bear education or fire restriction notices in Rand, at the portal kiosks and at the large camps and to have river rangers educate and enforce the policy during patrols.           

OPTION C: Create a voluntary campsite reservation option for large groups and large sites.

This proposal would consist of a campsite sign up sheet at Rand on which large groups could sign up for specific large camps when obtaining their permit. It would effectively eliminate the need for rabbit boating by giving large groups a very high degree of campsite certainty. Uncertainty would still exist due to mistakes; however implementing a portion of Option A (identifying and signing the large sites only) would effectively eliminate all uncertainty. Approximately 10 of the 51 already inventoried sites (20%) would need to be designated as “large group only” sites. The number and selection could be adjusted annually to match demand and to avoid any sense of exclusivity. The minimum group size needed in order to qualify as a large group could also be adjusted to ensure efficient use of the large sites.

This proposal requires the BLM to maintain a simple, one-page campsite sign-up sheet at Rand, to add a clearly worded stipulation sheet to the face of each permit, to educate groups when they pick up their permit at Rand, to post signs similar to the bear education or fire restriction notices in Rand, at the portal kiosks and at the large camps and to have river rangers educate and enforce the policy during patrols. It could also be supplemented with a sign at each of the large sites.

OPTION D: Create a voluntary campsite reservation option for both large and small groups and both large and small sites.This proposal would effectively eliminate the need for rabbit boating by giving large groups a very high degree of campsite certainty while also providing the same degree of certainty to small groups who choose to know in advance where they are going to be camping. Uncertainty would still exist due to mistakes; however implementing a portion of Option A (identifying and signing sites) would effectively eliminate all uncertainty. Approximately 10 of the 51 already inventoried sites (20%) would need to be designated as reservable large group sites; anywhere from 8 to 12 of the 51 already inventoried sites (15 to 20%) would need to be designated as reservable small group sites. The number and selection could be adjusted annually to match demand and to avoid any sense of exclusivity.

This proposal requires the BLM to maintain a more complex campsite sign-up sheet at Rand, to add a clearly worded stipulation sheet to the face of each permit, to educate groups when they pick up their permit at Rand, to post signs similar to the bear education or fire restriction notices in Rand, at the portal kiosks and at the large camps and to have river rangers educate and enforce the policy during patrols. It could also be supplemented with a sign at each of the reservable sites.

These proposals come from river outfitters. We’ve met with the Oregon Whitewater Association and the NWRA Board and have taken their thoughts into consideration when coming up with these proposals.