{"id":9644,"date":"2025-08-06T20:28:08","date_gmt":"2025-08-07T04:28:08","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/inedc.com\/26\/?p=9644"},"modified":"2025-08-06T20:28:08","modified_gmt":"2025-08-07T04:28:08","slug":"outfitter-violations-spotlight-countys-weak-rmp-enforcement-ahead-of-august-7-clac-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/inedc.com\/26\/sports\/outfitter-violations-spotlight-countys-weak-rmp-enforcement-ahead-of-august-7-clac-review\/","title":{"rendered":"Outfitter Violations Spotlight County\u2019s Weak RMP Enforcement Ahead of August 7 CLAC Review"},"content":{"rendered":"

El\u202fDorado County, CA \u2014 James Anderson, an experienced commercial raft guide and kayak enthusiast, who also owns riverfront property on the South Fork of the American River, has submitted a forceful comment letter to the Coloma\u2011Lotus Advisory Committee (CLAC) ahead of its August 7, 2025, meeting. The letter responds to proposed updates to the county\u2019s River Management Plan (RMP) and its enforcing ordinance (County Code Chapter\u202f5.48), currently under review by Parks and Trails.<\/p>\n

In the letter, the writer recounts a recent incident where a commercial outfitter conducted guide training on private property\u2014disrupting wildlife and vegetation, and violating quiet\u2011zone provisions\u2014with staff ignoring repeated requests to vacate. Only after the property owner escalated to code enforcement did the Parks and Trails division respond\u2014with a warning, and only after several weeks. No formal violations were issued, despite apparent breaches of the RMP, county code, and possibly the outfitter\u2019s permit.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis system places the onus on victims to pursue violations, which in my experience is a large investment of time,\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

the commenter writes. They further describe firsthand experiences of widespread poor \u201criver etiquette,\u201d including overcrowding, unmarked and oversized pods, ignoring quiet zones, and unauthorized land use\u2014all by commercial operators.<\/p>\n

The letter argues the draft RMP and ordinance<\/p>\n

\u201cfail to adequately protect private property owners, private boaters, and other commercial operators who follow the requirements\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\u2014and that the current approach effectively grants rights to violators while imposing burdens on law\u2011abiding participants. The writer also notes compliant outfitters may be placed at a competitive disadvantage if enforcement remains lax.<\/p>\n

They call for stronger enforcement\u2014including clearer penalties, better staffing and resources for Parks and Trails, and mechanisms that don\u2019t rely on victim\u2011initiated reporting. The letter urges that without these changes, the RMP will remain a \u201cpaper tiger.\u201d<\/p>\n

CLAC is set to review the proposed updates at its August 7 meeting\u2014the final public step before the county considers adoption. With summer recreation at its peak, the demands for a safer, fair, and enforceable river management system have never been more urgent.<\/p>\n

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Key Facts & Context<\/h3>\n