State Parks hearing in Bend on access pass rules for disabled veterans

The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department is seeking public comment on proposed rule changes to the Special Access Pass program. This program grants veterans with a service connected disability a fee waiver for up to 10 days per month in standard campsites at Oregon State Park campgrounds.

The proposed changes will: allow these reservations to be made on-line; simplify the stay limit to 10 days per month; add showers to the list of fee waivers available to pass holders; add a $5 fee for replacement of a lost pass; clarify when a pass can be revoked or temporarily suspended; add penalties for failure to cancel; and impose a penalty for leaving early without letting park staff know. Additional details, including the proposed rule language can be found at http://www.oregon.gov/oprd/RULES/Pages/Rulemaking%20Notices.aspx.

OPRD will accept comments until 5 p.m. on Friday , Dec. 18, 2015. Comments may be e-mailed to oprd.publiccomment@oregon.gov and written comments may be sent to Richard Walkoski, Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, 725 Summer St. NE, Suite C, Salem OR 97301. Comments will also be accepted at a series of public hearings scheduled during December at the following locations:

Salem
Dec. 2, 2015; 5:30 p.m.
North Mall Office Building-Park HQ, 725 Summer Street NE, Suite C

Bend
Dec. 3 2015; 6:30 p.m.
Pine Ridge Inn, 1200 SW Mt. Bachelor Drive

Eugene
Dec. 7, 2015; 6:30 p.m.
Valley River Inn, 1000 Valley River Way

Portland (two meetings)
Dec. 12, 2015; 9 a.m., and
Dec. 15, 2015; 6:30 p.m.
Tryon Creek State Park Nature Center, 11321 SW Terwilliger Blvd

Medford
Dec. 16, 2015; 6:30 p.m.
Rogue Regency Inn, 2300 Biddle Road

Those who wish to make public comment must register with the hearing officer within 30 minutes of the listed start time on the scheduled hearing dates.