Corvallis,
OR, (March 2, 2005) - An appeal of the decision concerning the
Off-Highway-Vehicle Sand Camping Environmental Assessment decision on
the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area is causing delays in the
upcoming reservation system and implementation of the project. At this
time, reservations for designated sand camping sites for the 2005
summer season cannot be made.
“We expect to know more about the status of this project, including
when people can make sand camping reservations, beginning the week of
April 18,” said South Zone Deputy District Ranger, Bill Blackwell.
People wishing to make summer plans now can check with Reserve USA at
www.reserveUSA.com
or 1-877-444-6777 for U.S. Forest Service developed campground
reservations. Recreationists can also contact private, state and county
campgrounds, or area hotels and trailer parks for alternate
accommodations.
“We regret any inconvenience this might cause those people planning
their summer vacations”, said Blackwell. “As soon as we know more, we
will notify people through the Forest website, mailings and press
releases,” he added.
Visitors wanting to recreate on the sand dunes during the day can
continue to do so, and are not affected by this decision and appeal
according to Blackwell.
The latest information concerning sand camping reservations and camping
on the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area can be obtained from the
Siuslaw National Forest website,
www.fs.fed.us/r6/siuslaw,
or by contacting the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area visitor
center in Reedsport at (541) 271-3611.
The appeal, which is a request for a review at a higher organizational
level, will be reviewed by the Regional Forester in Portland.
Activities associated with the
OHV-Sand
Camping Project Environmental Assessment include designating 138
dispersed campsites, prohibiting camping outside of designated sites;
implementing a non-significant amendment to the Oregon Dunes Management
Plan to build a new Horsfall staging area of 70 sites; and
incorporating the existing 21-site Horsfall staging area into the
Horsfall campground as a group or overflow site.
With the substantial increase of sand camping at the Oregon Dunes,
there was a need to address visitor and employee safety, resource
protection, and maintaining a quality recreation experience. Several
problem areas were identified and addressed through this environmental
assessment.
