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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Roseburg shooting victim describes gunman's rampage ... Habitat for Humanity volunteers raise walls and hope for Medford family ... Gold Hill residents say city dawdled as streets flooded ... Roseburg shooting victim describes gunman's rampage ... Habitat for Humanity volunteers raise walls and hope for Medford family ... Gold Hill residents say city dawdled as streets flooded ... CAMPING Changes would streamline reservations at state parks, cost more for some Comment By Mark Freeman Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Mark Freeman Mail Tribune Posted Aug. 6, 2015 at 3:44 PM Updated Aug 6, 2015 at 3:57 PM By Mark Freeman Mail Tribune Posted Aug. 6, 2015 at 3:44 PM Updated Aug 6, 2015 at 3:57 PM » Social News The Oregon State Parks Department is mulling a series of changes to its campground reservation rules, some of which would streamline and improve the reservation process, while others would dip a little deeper into some campers' wallets. Officials said the changes to the 19-year-old reservation system would improve customer service and take advantage of changes in technology that have come about since the program first went online. Parks officials are taking written comments on the proposals through Aug. 28, and they plan to hold public meetings in Portland, Coos Bay, Eugene and Bend to gauge campers' views of the proposals, says Richard Walkoski, a state parks' communication and research specialist. One of the biggest changes will be a drop in the lag time between reservations and campground visitation from two days to one, Walkoski says. If the changes are approved, then Oregonians who decide on a Thursday they want to camp that weekend can do so the next day instead of waiting the two days needed in the pre-Web world, he says. "I think that will be a hit with people," Walkoski says. Also, those who reserve yurts, cabins and other such facilities can get refunds if they cancel three days in advance, Walkoski says. They currently must cancel at least a month out to get the refund, he says. Those using the Group Camping Program at state parks tent sites, however, won't get so lucky any more. The current program is for groups reserving 10 campsites or more at a time, and they historically have seen their reservation fees waived on all but one of those sites, Walkoski says. The new policy would set a minimum of 20 sites for the program, and no registration fees would be waived, he says. The proposal comes after a department audit showed the agency waived about $75,000 in registration fees over a two-year period, he says. View all the proposed rules changes at Notices.aspx " href="http://www.oregon.gov/oprd/RULES/Pages/Rulemaking%20Notices.aspx">www.oregon.gov/oprd/RULES/Pages/Rulemaking Notices.aspx . Email public comments to oprd.publiccomment @oregon.gov or mail them to OPRD, attention Public Comment, 725 Summer St. N.E., Suite C, Salem OR 97301. Reach reporter Mark Freeman at 541-776-4470 or [email protected] . Follow him at www.twitter.com/MTwriterFreeman . By Mark Freeman Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Mark Freeman Mail Tribune Posted Aug. 6, 2015 at 3:44 PM Updated Aug 6, 2015 at 3:57 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501