Rules and Regulations for Public Facilities on the Red River Waterway

These Rules and Regulations are established by the Red River Waterway Commission to govern all recreational facilities completed or under construction. All other federal, state and local laws and regulations remain in full force and effect where applicable.

Park rules and regulations are designed to ensure the proper atmosphere for the enjoyment and safety of all visitors and protection of all facilities. Visitors shall be responsible for their own actions and are expected to familiarize themselves with these rules and regulations.

All recreational facilities open for public use shall be available to the public without regard to sex, race, color, disability, creed, age, national origin, political beliefs and marital or familial status.

Unless otherwise indicated herein, the term Commission shall mean and include the Red River Waterway Commission and any authorized representative of the Red River Waterway Commission.

Park Rangers

Persons violating these Rules and Regulations are subject to eviction by the Commissions Park Rangers. Park Rangers may forbid individuals from coming into or upon or remaining in or upon the Commissions property if the individual is violating or has violated any provision of these Rules and Regulations or any law of the United States, State of Louisiana or parish and/or municipality where the property is located.

A Park Ranger has the authority to evict an individual for twenty-four (24) hours, seven (7) days or thirty (30) days. A complete statement of the Commissions eviction policy, including an evicted persons right to appeal an eviction, can be obtained on request at the Headquarters of the Red River Waterway District 5941 Highway 1 Bypass, Natchitoches, Louisiana 71457.

Do's and Don't's

It is strictly prohibited to destroy, deface, remove, alter or disturb any developed facility, natural formation, mineral deposit, historical or archeological feature, and vegetative growth. Help preserve all facilities and vegetation. Protect recreation areas for other visitors and future generations. Cutting or gathering of trees or parts of trees and/or the removal of wood from a facility is prohibited without written permission of the Commission.

Advertisements, signs, etc.

Advertisement by company signs, billboards, markers, audio devices, handbills, circulars, posters or any other means whatsoever is prohibited without prior written permission of the Commission. Solicitation of any nature shall be prohibited within the facility boundaries without prior written permission of the Commission. Additional features constructed or plant material introduced are prohibited without prior written permission of the Commission.

Traffic

All traffic, parking and other directional signs shall be obeyed. Observe posted speed limits. Drive carefully. Discharge and/or possession of firearms or fireworks on facility property shall be forbidden. Firearms may be transported through facility property when the visitor is launching a boat into the Red River. Refrain from making noises that might disturb other visitors. Boisterousness is prohibited at all times; this includes loud playing of radios, TVs, amplifiers, musical instruments and unnecessary noise of any kind. Observe facility hours.

The term "vehicle" shall include but not be limited to automobiles, trucks, motorcycles, mini-bikes, dune buggies, all terrain vehicles, trailers, campers, bicycles and any other wheeled vehicle. Vehicles must be operated only on those roads or lanes designated for vehicular traffic. Vehicles shall be parked only in designated parking areas. Vehicles shall be operated in accordance with posted facility regulations and applicable federal, state and local laws.

The operation of any vehicle must meet all licensing requirements as specified by the Louisiana Department of Public Safety or other regulatory agencies. Noisy vehicles shall be prohibited. The cleaning, servicing and/or repair of any vehicle is prohibited except in emergency situations. The Commission is not responsible for theft of or damage to any vehicle or articles contained in any vehicle. Vehicles will be considered abandoned when left unattended for more than three (3) consecutive days at which time the vehicle may be towed away and impounded at the expense of the owner of the vehicle.

Watercraft

The operation of all watercraft on the Red River and its tributaries are subject to the rules of safety and regulations imposed by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and by the United States Coast Guard. Watercraft may not be operated in prohibited or restricted areas designated by signs or buoys. Boats shall be launched only from designated boat ramps. The operation of watercraft near boat ramps and docks in a careless, negligent or reckless manner so as to endanger any property or person is prohibited. The Commission shall not be responsible for theft of or damage to any boat, equipment or supplies. Boats, equipment and supplies will be considered abandoned when left unattended for more than three (3) consecutive days at which time the boat, equipment and supplies may be impounded at the expense of the owner of the boat, equipment and supplies. The Commission may from time to time close ramps (for safety purposes) because of hazardous river conditions.

Animals

No person shall bring or allow dogs, cats or other pets into a facility, unless penned, caged, on a leash under six (6) feet in length or otherwise physically restrained, without prior written permission of the Commission. Animals and pets, except properly trained animals assisting the handicapped (such as seeing eye dogs) are prohibited in sanitary facilities. Persons bringing or allowing pets in a facility shall be responsible for the proper removal and disposal of any waste produced by these animals. Owners of pets causing any injury or damage will be fully responsible for such injury or damage. In the event a visitor or employee is attacked, bitten or scratched by an animal at a facility, necessary steps will be taken to ensure that the law enforcement and/or animal control agents are properly advised of the incident at which time the animal may be seized or impounded for observation. All cost associated with the incident will be the responsibility of the animals owner. No animal shall be brought or allowed at a facility unless it bears a current rabies inoculation tag. No person shall bring or allow horses, cattle or other livestock to a facility without prior written permission of the Commission.

Garbage

Visitors using a facility must dispose of all paper, garbage, litter and other refuse by placing such materials in receptacles provided for that purpose. Cleaning fish or other game at picnic sites, hydrants or at water faucets located in restrooms is prohibited. Nothing shall be put in the toilets or sinks in restrooms that might damage or clog them. It is a violation to bring any household or commercial garbage, trash, rubbish, debris, dead animals or litter of any kind for disposal at a facility. The spilling, dumping or other discharge of contaminants, pollutants or other wastes including but not limited to, human and animal waste, petroleum, industrial and commercial products and by-products on a facility or into waters is prohibited. Burial of garbage, litter or dead animals on facility property is prohibited.

Reserving picnic shelters, pavillions, etc

Special events or gatherings are prohibited without prior written permission from the Commission. In the event a group or individuals would like to reserve a picnic shelter, the following conditions shall be met: Reservations are only accepted from persons twenty-one (21) years of age or older. Adults must accompany all minors at reserved facilities. Groups or individuals must fill out a Park Recreational Reservation Form and submit it to the office of the Commission for approval. This form can be obtained from a ranger or by writing to or calling the Commission office. An advance clean up deposit of One Hundred and No/100 ($100.00) Dollars is required. The appropriate form and deposit must be received by the Commission no later than ten (10) days before the date of reservation. A change in the date of a reservation may be made without forfeiting the deposit if requested at least forty-eight (48) hours in advance and if facilities are available. In order to get a refund of the deposit, the group or individuals are responsible for the disposal of any waste, garbage or litter produced by the group or individuals. The next working day a ranger will patrol the area. If the area is clean, a refund check will be mailed from the administrative office.

Swimming, snorkeling, scuba

Swimming, diving, snorkeling or scuba diving are prohibited on or around boat ramps, docks and waters accessed from the banks of Commission property. Under no circumstances shall there be overnight camping within the facility unless designated areas exist for that purpose. Fires shall be confined to grills at facilities for that designated purpose. Burning of materials that produce toxic fumes, such as, but not limited to, crossties, plastic and treated wood, is prohibited. Fire shall not be left unattended and must be completely extinguished prior to departure.