Please know the new OSRC rules go into effect until July 1, 2008...

As for ice chests rule, PLEASE NOTE the OSRC promulgated the new rule at the request of commercial flotation operations... Simply, they requested/wanted 50-quart ice chest limit per floater rule... Hmmm? So, OSRC accommodated their request by enacting a new rule limiting each floater to no more than a maximum of 50-quart total ice chest per floater (in other words, floaters may have 5 10-quart ice chests per person, etc... as long as the total doesn't exceed the 50-quart max per floater)...

I'm thinking we may see some 6 person rafts with ice chests totaling 300 quarts this summer on the river.

In closing, please know Oklahoma Law for many years prohibits all persons from consuming alcoholic beverages in excess of 3.2 alcohol by weight "in the public." So whether you're in Guymon, Altus, Broken Bow, OKC, Tulsa or on the Illinois River, the law prohibits all persons from consuming vodka, whiskey, hard beer, etc in the public (in a public place).

The new OSRC alcohol rule simply prohibits persons from having an open container or consume 3.2 alcoholic beverages while in the following public access areas: Round Hollow, Todd, US 62 Bridge on the Illinois River or US 412 Bridge Access Area to the Flint Creek. There is no 3.2 beer prohibition or impact for persons floating on the river (unless they consume too much and become intoxicated).

Thank you.

Ed Fite

Administrator

Oklahoma Scenic Rivers Commission

(918) 456-3251

osrc@fullnet.net