2012 Launch Permits for the John Day River

Updated: December 29, 2011

Segments

• Segments 2 - (Clarno to Cottonwood)
• Segment 3 - (Service Creek to Clarno)
• Includes groups launching upstream and floating into Segment 2 or 3

Season

• The following information is specific to the primary boating season of May 20 - July 10.

Overview

• Each boating group is required to obtain a launch permit in advance of their trip. The maximum group size is 16 persons, with no limit on the number of boats.
• Launch permits will be available on-line at www.johndayboaterpermit.com
• Launch permits for Segments 2 and 3 will be available on-line beginning March 1, 2012, at 7 A.M. PST and continuing through July 10, 2012.
• All users will have equal access to available permits through the on-line system, on a first-come, first-served basis. There is no lottery.
• There will be no fees charged for launch permits in 2012.
• We appreciate your patience during this transition period to a new system.

Launch Permit Availability

• Launch permits will be released in two separate batches to accommodate both long-range and short-range planners.
• 50% of the launch permits available for each date during the permitted season (May 20 to July 10) will be released on March 1 at 7 A.M. PST, and 50% will be released on May 1 at 7 A.M. PST.
• Launch permits for a specific date will remain available until all permits for that date have been issued.
• When all launch permits for a specific date have been issued, additional launch permits for a given date become available when the following occurs:
  • A trip leader cancels a permit.
  • BLM cancels a permit that was obtained by fraudulent means.
  • A permit is automatically re-deposited when not confirmed by the confirmation deadline; 10 days prior to the trip date (see confirmation information below).

How the Process Will Work

• A calendar will show the number of launch permits that have been released for each date, the number already reserved, and the number still available for reservation.
• A trip leader may name up to three alternate trip leaders per launch permit. Either the trip leader or one of the alternate trip leaders must present a picture ID at the launch point and be present on the entire river trip.
• Each person may be named as either a trip leader or an alternate trip leader on one overnight trip and up to three day-use trips at a time. To be named as a trip leader or an alternate trip leader on an additional permit, that person will need to either cancel one permit or complete one river trip.
• To reduce no-shows, a trip leader who reserves a launch permit will be required to return to the website to confirm their reservation between 30 and 10 days prior to their trip date. Reserved permits that are not confirmed by 10 days prior to the trip date will be re-deposited and made available for reservation by another boater. A confirmation reminder notice will be sent to the trip leader via email. Complete confirmation instructions will be provided on the permit website.

Important to Know

• An unlimited number of on-line launch permits are available for trips launching before May 20 or after July 10, and all trips that do not travel any distance between Service Creek (River Mile 157) and Cottonwood Bridge (River Mile 40).
• Priest Hole Recreation Site one mile trips: For short day trips taking place completely within Priest Hole Recreation Site (a distance of one mile between River Mile 136.5 and 137.5), permits may be obtained at Priest Hole Recreation Site.
• If you have a question about the river or the permit system, or would like to be notified by email when new information is available, please send your request to: BLM_OR_PR_JDRiver_Study@blm.gov.

To recap from the John Day River Study Decision Record

• For Segment 2, during the Primary Boating Season of May 20 to July 10, there will be a maximum of nine boat trip launches per day of any distance or duration from any launch point.
• For Segment 3, during the Primary Boating Season of May 20 to July 10, there will be a maximum of 19 boat trip launches per day for overnight trips, including up to nine launches per day from Muleshoe and Service Creek combined, and up to ten launches per day from Twickenham, Priest Hole and Lower Burnt Ranch combined. There will be a maximum of 24 launches per day for day-use trips on Segment 3 during the Primary Boating Season of May 20 to July 10.