FYI John Day River: permits req. May-June

Greetings!  I have not been yakking much this winter, very cold on east side of Cascades!  Sorry for no reports, Happy Holidays to all and looking foreward to 2011!

FYI- BLM has placed first come/first serve permit requirements for groups floating between May20 and June 10.  This is explained as a means to reduce/manage crowds on the peak usage during this time.  The permit required is only between Cottonwood to Clarno (segment 2) and Clarno to Service Cr. (segment 3). 

The only issue I have is due to a very dynamic river flow (kinda unpredictable) it puts some stress on planning.  This river can blow out in hours, planning ahead in the segments mentioned for overnight floats is a crap-shoot. 

Segment 2 will allow 9 permits to be issued per day during this time.
Segment 3 will allow 19 permits to be issued per day for overnight groups-  broken down to 9 permits for Muleshoe and Service Cr. launches - 10 permits for Twickenham, Priesthole, and Lower Burnt Ranch launches.

Anyone just putting a craft in at Priesthole to fish/play... not "running the river" only needs to get the permit/sign in at the launch that is available, no fee.

I'm for crowd management, but I suspect the reservations for the weekends will be booked up right quick!!! 
FYI - May/June only (for now)
-Scott

 



When the system is up and running (it's not yet) go to www.blm.gov/or/resources/recreation/johnday/boatinggeneral.php