JACKSON COUNTY, Ore.– The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department is deciding against a long-term agreement to have jet boat tours at TouVelle State Park.
The state park had a short-term agreement with Rogue Jet Boat Adventures, which held tours of the Rogue River.
The park said it did months of research before deciding against a long-term agreement.
Jet boats are still allowed on the river, but the park says it needs to make improvements before it makes a long-term concession agreement.
Chris Havel from the state parks and recreation department said, “the park is not really ready for that kind of long-term agreement, and there are also questions about the use of the Rogue River in this stretch.”
Havel said the community also needs time to assess the environmental impact jet boats have on the Rogue River.
He said the park is also considering selling food and drinks in the future, but there’s no timeline for when that could happen.
We reached out to Rogue Jet Boat Adventures for comment on Oregon Parks’ decision. The company said it isn’t worried about the decision.
“We truly respect any decision they make. It doesn’t affect our business moving forward at all the only drawback we can see is that the state parks won’t receive any of the additional revenue they’ve had in the past,” said Owner, Taylor Grimes.
Grimes said his company will still be able to load and unload customers at the park.
He said they’ve been working with Oregon Parks and Recreation for more than nine years and is willing to work with them in the future.
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