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3 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 New wildfires explode in California as heat wave sears the West ... Truck fire turns into grass fire on Upper Applegate Road ... Workers find possible signs of lead pipes in west Medford ... New wildfires explode in California as heat wave sears the West ... Truck fire turns into grass fire on Upper Applegate Road ... Workers find possible signs of lead pipes in west Medford ... OUR VIEW Our View: Protecting public land from the public MailTribune.com Writer Posted Jun. 17, 2016 @ 12:01 am Posted Jun. 17, 2016 @ 12:01 am » Social News p bs:newslist StartDate="20121121" EndDate="p bs:datecalc Months="3"" DateSort="1" UseObjects="1" ObjectClass="81" Taxonomywords="2325,665" ExactTaxonomyMatch="1" Image="1" Count="4" --> There are times when government regulation can seem excessive, doing more harm than good. At times like those, it's tempting to think — as some Americans do — that government can't do anything right, and should be constrained from doing much of anything at all. Then there are the other times. Federal forest officials recently were forced to impose a 14-day limit on camping in some especially desirable spots along southwest Oregon creeks and rivers, around Applegate and Squaw lakes and in some other locations as well. These camping spots are all on public land, provided for the enjoyment of the public. The Forest Service is imposing the limit in these "short-stay corridors" because of — the public. Not all the public, mind you, just those whose irresponsible behavior poses a risk to the environment and to the health of other campers. Not to mention the selfishness of hogging the best camping spots and swimming holes. The problems, including leaving burning campfires, damaging soils and vegetation and dumping human waste and garbage, have been increasing in recent years, but this is not the first time the Forest Service has imposed limits. A similar rule was lifted in 2011, and misuse of dispersed camping areas began to increase. Under the rule imposed Monday, campers within the designated zones can stay no longer than 14 days in a 45-day period. Once they reach 14 days, they must leave the zone and not return until the 45 days have elapsed. In a perfect world, people would treat public land as though it belonged to them — which it does — and care for it accordingly. They would leave campsites as clean or cleaner than they found them, mindful that other people would soon be arriving to spend time there. If they did that, government officials responsible for maintaining public land would not need to issue restrictions to protect public land from the public. MailTribune.com Writer Posted Jun. 17, 2016 @ 12:01 am » Comment or view comments Terms of Service /* $( document ).ready(function() { // Jquery mobile is trying to style the button and leaving a blank gry button on top of a white button $("#viafouracoms .vf-comment-controls li.vf-right").html(' Submit '); });*/ » 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. 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 2016 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