Rogue River Outfitter/Agency Meeting Notes
November 14, 2013 * 2:00 – 3:30 p.m.
Grants Pass Interagency Meeting
2164 NE Spalding Avenue * Grants Pass, Oregon
Outfitters in Attendance: 9 in person & 7 by phone
Agency Attendees: Allen Bollschweiler, Nancy Schwieger, Phil Rheiner, Kai Allen, Becky
Brown, Barbara Zurhellen, Colby Hawkinson, Todd Calvert, Tom Gentry, Lisa Byers, Bob
Hemus, Jason Stanton (Josephine County LE), Ernie Fields (OSMB), Derrick Johnson (ODF),
Bonnie Million (facilitator), Shannon dePuglia and Vickie Whiteaker (notetakers).
Welcome and Announcements – Allen Bollschweiler & Nancy Schwieger
Allen welcomed and thanked the attendees. Special recognition was given to Barbara Zurhellen
and Becky Brown for putting meeting together.
Introductions – All
Ground Rules – Bonnie Million
Agency Briefing – BLM & FS Staff
Big Windy Fire - Allen Bollschweiler & Derrick Johnson
Summary: Derrick gave a summary of Southern Oregon fires and weather event leading
up to the Big Windy Fire. On the night of July 26, 2013 a dry, single cell thunderstorm
occurred. The next morning there were five fires in what was later called the Big Windy
Complex. These fires started at ¼ to ¾ acres in size. The terrain in this area was steep,
and there was a lack of road access.
BLM’s Role in the Fire: In general, BLM contracts with ODF for firefighting. In this
particular case, the fires were near FS land as well, so BLM and FS managed the fire via
ODF. The staff at ODF was managing some of the other fires in the area, and decided to
contract Type 1 teams for the Big Windy Complex. The Type 1 teams were comprised
primarily of BLM and FS employees.
Big Windy Progression/Projections/Effects: The fire traveled up river, along the bank in
some cases. There was concern of possible spot fires across the river, with potential of
the fire growing much larger quickly and possibly joining with the Douglas` Complex
fires. Instead the fire remained low intensity most of the time and underbrush was
cleaned out. This is actually what land managers would prescribe for the area, and now
the threat of future catastrophic fires has been reduced.
Reopening Campsites - Allen Bollschweiler
Grants Pass Resource Area hazard tree expert evaluated the burnt areas along the Wild
Section of the Rogue River and hazard trees are thought to be at a minimum. All
campsites are open, however, it will be several years before concerns about hazard trees
will be completely resolved. There is a map available on the website that shows areas of
concern.
Future Assistance / Commitments - Allen Bollschweiler
The BLM and FS have suffered major budget cuts, sequestration, and a furlough. In 2013
we faced an 8% cut and wound up with a 6% cut. Next year could be as high as 10%.
What can we accomplish together to keep the river functional?
Safety - Allen Bollschweiler
There were several deaths on the river in the beginning of the season which prompted
BLM to evaluate safety. In 2013 we increased safety awareness through actively handing
out OSMB life jacket and whitewater information at Rand. We will continue to work on
safety with Deputy Ernie Fields, OSMB. What are your ideas to help people have a safer
experience on the river? In addition, the FS would like to hear about any hazards or
wrong doings.
We should all expect a dynamic river environment over the next couple years. At this
time, there are no provisions for outfitters to remove hazard trees. However, there will be
joint discussions with FS, BLM, OSMB and others about hazards and navigability.
Monitoring / Extending Regulated Use Season - Phil Rheiner & Nancy Schwieger
BLM monitored the number of people boating the wild section two weekends before the
season and two weekends after the season in 2012. This was done only in the spring of
2013. Someone was stationed at Grave Creek on Friday and Saturday. The post-season
monitoring was not done as it was right after the furlough ended. Two years of
monitoring have shown less than 110 people per day boating the wild section. However,
there are many variables that affect increased numbers, such as weather and flow and
timing of the end of the season. There was discussion about alternative methods for
monitoring use numbers.
The River Management Society float this year was on the river the weekend after October
15th. Several Rogue River BLM and Forest Service employees were on that float. They
counted 16 groups between Black Bar and Lower Kelsey on Saturday the 19th of October.
It was thought to be crowded. An outfitter reported seeing over 15 boats taking out at
Foster Bar.
Shuttle Permitting / Plowing Bear Camp - Phil Rheiner & Nancy Schwieger
Given the budget cuts, the FS is looking at three options regarding snow plowing on Bear
Camp: 1) Let it open naturally, with no plowing, 2) Wait until enough snow has melted
to make it easier and less expensive to plow, or 3) Open by Memorial Day no matter the
cost. Outfitters voiced that the opening of Bear Camp was of big concern.
BLM shared that addressing permits for shuttle operators is on hold, pending release of
the new BLM SRP Handbook by the Washington D.C. office in 2014.
Permit Administration: Billing, Calendars, Audits, SRP Handbook - Barbara Zurhellen
Billing has begun for those that are finished guiding for the year. Since we postponed
payment of the Aug/Nov 2013 advance fees because of the fire, many of you will be
receiving a bill. Those outfitters that paid their entire advance fees at the beginning of the
season may be receiving a credit which will be applied towards your 2014 advance fees.
We are having trouble with number of participants matching trip cards. E-filing is not
working too well but we are willing to give it another try.
Everyone should have received your 2014 draft calendar with commercial open dates. If
not, let Barbara know ASAP. You have until January 4 to get your lottery picks turned in.
Remember if there are two openings on the same day you can apply for both but if you
get both you cannot return one of them.
In 2014 every BLM district will be getting audited. A minimum of 2 special recreation
permits per District but there could be more. Everyone who held an SRP in 2013 will
receive a general public notification by January 15th. Those selected for audit will
receive an email and official letter by Feb 1. Selection of those to be audited is based on
compliance, suspected underreporting of revenue/use, complexity of permit, gross
receipts over a certain threshold (varies by state), partner agencies/shared management,
other management issues/concerns. There will be a conference call Friday to learn about
timelines, cost, selection, requirements, and process. Stay tuned.
A new BLM SRP handbook will be coming out in 2014. We will be revising the
Commercial Operating Plan so they say the same thing. There are no major changes,
mainly clarification.
Round Table – All
Q: When will Battle Bar toilet be finished?
A: In the spring, pending staffing.
Q: Is there any provision for outfitters to remove hazard trees?
A: The process in place is to report hazards to BLM or Ernie Fields OSMB. Nancy - removing
hazard trees in the canyon has several layers to evaluate. It is not an easy process to navigate.
C: Please set up the process in advance so it doesn’t take 6 weeks to remove a hazard tree.
C: We might consider a joint trip to evaluate hazards and cleanup.
Q: Can a protocol be developed for updates and clear communication between outfitters and
agency, in case of another fire or emergency?
A: Nancy shared that they are working on that by looking at what other similar agency plans
exist.
C: Outfitters favored the idea of a Facebook page.
C: At tonight’s Rogue River User’s Meeting, we plan on providing a more in-depth briefing on
the fire and communication will be part of that discussion.
C: Thank you to BLM for the quick agency efforts in securing options to use the Deschutes
River during the fire.
Q: How can we address equipment recovery on the river, specifically the process for recovering
rental equipment and business potential?
C: One option is to offer an emergency after-hours number at Rand.
C: A process needs to be put in place for recovery for hire.
C: Nancy- the Forest Service section has recovery resources as well.
Q: Any policy changes to be discussed at the user meeting that affect outfitters?
A: No, but there are changes on the noncommercial side. Non-commercial permits picked up
three weeks or less prior to the launch date will be required to pay for them when they are picked
up. Notes from that meeting will be posted online.
Q: Can there be any changes in the agency language used at Rand to convey that the Rogue is
dangerous?
C: Blossom is a significantly harder rapid than the rest of the river.
C: It should be stated at Rand that there are other options than running Blossom, such as walking
around.
C: Boaters should be knowledgeable of the seriousness of Blossom. Perhaps a poster board
should be put up that shows some of photos or statements of what has happened at Blossom.
Boater should be warned at Rand if there is an unrecovered body on the river.
C: Maybe an anchor system could be installed or a picture of how to unwrap a boat at Blossom.
C: Phil- Thanks to the outfitters for their cleanup efforts, and fire logistics/transport assistance,
and ongoing communication with the BLM.
Wrap Up – Allen Bollschweiler & Nancy Schwieger
Allen announced that the Oregon/Washington Resource Management Plan is our guide for
managing resources, and it is currently being revised. This document will drive decisions for the
next 20-25 years. The document can be found on our OR/WA website. You can specifically refer
to the recreation section of the document to see how to get involved.
Nancy announced her retirement and mentioned the new District Ranger, Tina Lanier, would be
at the evening meeting. As the FS is in the “fact gathering” stage of the Bear Camp Road
decision, she suggested to communicate concerns and questions to Tina.
Agency Follow Up and/or Action Items
Work with the OSMB to develop a process to remove hazardous trees
River clean up and/or work project float
Develop emergency fire protocol
Outline equipment recovery process
Continue monitoring visitor use pre/post regulated use season
Investigate Bear Camp snowplowing options
Increase safety awareness
Develop Facebook page for the Rogue River