New restrictions at campgrounds.

Byline: The Register-Guard

New regulations are in effect limiting the number of people and vehicles that can occupy Detroit Ranger District campgrounds in the Willamette National Forest.

District Ranger Paul Matter said the action was taken because the campgrounds were losing their "family setting" because of damage to facilities and problems occurring late into the evenings.

Groups were becoming larger, Matter said, and pushing further into campground vegetation. And extra vehicles were being parked off the parking pads and along roads, causing additional damage, he said.

"The infrastructure of the campground is unable to keep up to the demand," Matter said. "Problems of civil disorder, vandalism, assaults, loud music and disorderly conduct were taxing forest protection officers."

The new regulations limit a single-occupancy site to a maximum of eight people and two vehicles. Multiple-occupancy sites are limited to 12 people and three vehicles.

For tent campers, two tents will be allowed in single sites and three in multiple sites.

Visitors to campground sites must leave by 10 p.m. and arrive no earlier than 6 a.m., Matter said, adding that violators will be cited.

The following campgrounds are affected by the new regulations: Breitenbush, Marion Forks, Cleator Bend, Riverside, Cove Creek, Shady Cove, Humbug, Southshore, Hoover and Whispering Falls.

For more information, phone Dani Pavoni, at the Detroit Ranger District, [phone].