How can I comment on this?   E-mail res.nw@state.or.us   Write OPRD attn: Richard Walkoski 725 Summer St NE Ste C Salem, OR  97301   Attend a public meeting   April 16, 2009, 7–9 p.m. Champoeg State Park 7670 Champoeg Rd NE St. Paul, OR   April 21, 2009, 7–9 p.m. Central Lincoln Public Utility Meeting Room 2129 N. Coast Highway Newport, OR   April 23, 2009, 7–9 p.m. Holiday Inn 20615 Grandview Drive Bend, OR    Visit the Rulemaking web page for the entire proposed amendment text.

We are considering a new requirement that customers pay campsite rentals in full, at the time they make a reservation. Right now, customers can reserve any number of campsites nine months in advance of their stay for just a small deposit― the first night’s rent, plus a $6 nonrefundable fee.  

Because it improves the overall fairness of the reservation system. Because demand for campsites is so high, some customers reserve sites for the full, allowable 14-day period, intending to cancel all but the final dates desired in the period. The practice gives those customers a week to 12-day advantage over those who honestly book only the dates they want nine months in advance. Requiring full pay-
ment up front should dramatically reduce that practice. When this kind of artificial overbooking drops, it frees up campsites for those who “play by the rules.”
 
Full, advance payment will also cut back on paperwork in the parks. Instead of handling camp-
site payments in the campground or at the booth, rangers will spend more time helping people and running the park — doing “ranger work.” This is especially important now, when budgets and staffing are lean.

How and when cancellations are accepted is part of the discussion in the rulemaking process. We looked at a number of possibilities, some of which were complicated and awkward. The “pay in full” option is comparatively simple, consistent, and fair. It has become the industry standard for most state park systems in the nation. A good number of people already pay in full … unless they’re booking more nights than they need. A severe cancellation fee would punish people who have legitimate cancellation needs.

Many of our customers already pay in full when they book. Doing so enables them to check in at the campground quicker. About 56 percent of our customers currently reserve with the one-night deposit.

Whenever the rule is adopted. Probably late summer/early fall, 2009.

No.  It will change the cash flow to the agency, but won’t dramatically increase actual revenue.

Yes.

Yes, it would cover anything that is currently reservable.

The demand is different. Most hotels have more rooms than they do customers. In peak season at many of our parks, we have far more eager campers than campsites. The larger issue of fairness (i.e., all potential customers having the same chance to reserve the sites they want) is also not an issue for the lodging industry.