Alcohol ban OK'd in 4 public areas along Illinois River

By SARA PLUMMER World Staff Writer
4/1/2008

TAHLEQAUH -- The Oklahoma Scenic Rivers Commission has approved a new rule that would ban open containers and consumption of alcohol in four public areas along the Illinois River near Tahlequah.

The areas are Round Hollow, Todd public access, the U.S. 62 bridge and the U.S. 412 bridge.

"We're responding to the public," said Ed Fite, OSRC administrator. "We've had complaints over the years about rowdy behavior."

The OSRC approved the rule during a meeting last week. It will go into effect July 1 after the state Legislature and governor review it, Fite said. The rule will not affect the rest of the almost 20 public access areas.

"The Illinois River has had the reputation of being a party place. We just want to carve out a few areas for families to go," he said.

The rule doesn't affect patrons floating and canoeing on the river, Fite said.

"It doesn't say you can't have beer, it says you can't have an open container and you can't consume it (at those areas)," he said.

Ron Fidler owns Fidler's Bend Village camping grounds and Flint Creek Water Park. His property is next to the U.S. 412 bridge

access on Flint Creek.

"I think it's one of the best rules they could do," Fidler said. "We used to have terrible problems with drugs and fights."

The access point has improved in the last few years, Fidler said, but he knows other areas have similar problems.

"A lot of my business comes from people who don't want to go to the public parks anymore," he said. "I do allow beer, but if they get drunk they go to jail."

L.D. Stephens, who manages War Eagle Resort, attended last week's OSRC meeting and said the rule shouldn't affect floating and camping businesses along the river as long as people understand alcohol is only banned in those four areas.

Fite said the four areas are places frequented by families and church groups so he doesn't think enforcement of the new rule will be difficult.

"We really don't envision any problems," he said. "This is a test. See how this thing works out."

When prohibiting alcohol was first discussed two years ago, Fite said the commission received hundreds of notes and cards from people opposing it. After reworking the rule, the group didn't hear any opposition, and there were no public comments at last week's meeting.

"We feel the public sees Balance = 30.0 pts this as a reasonable compromise," he said.

Fidler said he knows some people won't like the new rule, but he thinks it will have an positive impact including less cleanup at the camp sites and fewer calls to authorities.

"It gives people who don't want that type of atmosphere a place to go. They can take their kids," he said.

Sara Plummer 581-8465
sara.plummer@tulsaworld.com