BLM accepts applications for Lower Deschutes guides
The Bureau of Land Management Prineville District Office is announcing the open period for new Special Recreation Permit applications from individuals and companies interested in guiding activities that will require a watercraft on the Lower Deschutes River. The application period opens Oct. 1 and will close Oct. 31.
The Lower Deschutes Wild and Scenic River Management Plan allows for the number of permitted guides and outfitters to increase by five percent annually. With just over 80 active guiding SRPs on the Lower Deschutes currently, applicants will be applying for up to four new available permits.
The application is for non-motorized activities on the lower 100 miles of the Deschutes River only. Successful applicants would be able to use their permit in the 2020 boating season.
The prospectus and application will be available on the BLM website at https://www.blm.gov/office/prineville-district-office. Application packets can also be requested by calling the Prineville District Office at (541) 416-6700.
Applicants are encouraged to read the prospectus carefully to ensure they provide all required elements, as incomplete applications will not be considered. For more information or for questions about this SRP application process, please contact the permit lead, Cece Marella , at (541) 416-4624.
The Lower Deschutes River is a remarkable resource that attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors annually. Guide and outfitter businesses facilitate access to recreation opportunities and help local communities and create jobs. The BLM, Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation and State of Oregon work collaboratively to manage the river for its wild, scenic and recreational values.
KTVZ 2019