Laughlin is open to dry camping again

al koffman · 03-26-2006, 05:11 PM

Dry-camping ban on ice
From the Mohave Valley News

By STACEY BONNAR

Saturday, March 25, 2006 8:23 PM PST

News West

LAUGHLIN - After a two month battle with dry campers and the Laughlin resorts who allowed them, the Southern Nevada Health District has conceded, temporarily, issuing a moratorium on the cease-and-desist order that forced the RVers' removal from four Casino Drive properties.

The health district, formerly known as the Clark County Health District, has a new moniker. The name change was to "better reflect our regional mission to protect and promote the health, the environment and the well-being of Southern Nevada residents and visitors," according to its Web site.

Casino executives were forced to evict campers, mostly owners of fully self-contained vehicles, from their properties to comply with the order dated Jan. 6.

The cease-and-desist order forced hundreds of campers who enjoy the Tri-state during the winter season to flee Laughlin if they wanted to stay in their RVs. The move outraged campers who had been coming to Laughlin over the years, with many vowing never to return. The RVers balked at the whole idea, posting outcries on major recreational vehicle-related Web blogs that included comments from RVers from all over North America.

Government officials were inundated with e-mails and phone calls from angry campers. The issue caused such a commotion that casino executives, Clark County government, Laughlin Town Manager Jackie Brady, County Commissioner Bruce Woodbury, Assemblyman Joe Hardy and Senator Warren Hardy got involved to change the district's mind. Their efforts paid off and the health district responded to try to offer an alternative solution.

One aspect of the problem was confusion over the district's former name: Clark County officials promptly disavowed any connection with the district when the brouhaha began.

The health district staff said in a memo to the district board of health that they would recommend a 120-day moratorium be issued for the cease-and-desist order sent to the four Laughlin properties on Jan. 6. "The moratorium will allow for staff to write new regulations that specifically address dry camping for self-contained recreational vehicles (SCRVs)," the memo stated in part.

The memo further stated that, "While working to resolve this issue it became apparent that current Nevada regulations for RVs need to be updated to reflect the improved sanitary capabilities of newer SCRVs. New, updated draft regulations will go through the peer and industry review processes and public workshops. Regulations will then be presented to the Board of Health for consideration." The staff recommendations were approved unanimously at the board meeting Thursday.

Ramada Express general manager George Stadler said that he was "excited about their decision."

Stadler, who acted as spokesman for the four casinos in question, provided the impetus to rally government officials along with business and tourism groups to provide a united front opposing the health district's decision.

The efforts of all those involved kept the issue alive in the local media and helped the health district understand the negative impact the loss of RVers would have on Laughlin.

"I'm looking forward to working to get the ˜I's' dotted and the ˜Ts' crossed for after the 120-day moratorium. My first topic of conversation with the district is how we're going to notify all the RVers that were angered by this decision and let them know they're welcome back in Laughlin. We'll all have to get our thinking caps on to figure that out," Stadler said.

al koffman · 03-26-2006, 05:11 PM

Dry-camping ban on ice
From the Mohave Valley News

By STACEY BONNAR

Saturday, March 25, 2006 8:23 PM PST

News West

LAUGHLIN - After a two month battle with dry campers and the Laughlin resorts who allowed them, the Southern Nevada Health District has conceded, temporarily, issuing a moratorium on the cease-and-desist order that forced the RVers' removal from four Casino Drive properties.

The health district, formerly known as the Clark County Health District, has a new moniker. The name change was to "better reflect our regional mission to protect and promote the health, the environment and the well-being of Southern Nevada residents and visitors," according to its Web site.

Casino executives were forced to evict campers, mostly owners of fully self-contained vehicles, from their properties to comply with the order dated Jan. 6.

The cease-and-desist order forced hundreds of campers who enjoy the Tri-state during the winter season to flee Laughlin if they wanted to stay in their RVs. The move outraged campers who had been coming to Laughlin over the years, with many vowing never to return. The RVers balked at the whole idea, posting outcries on major recreational vehicle-related Web blogs that included comments from RVers from all over North America.

Government officials were inundated with e-mails and phone calls from angry campers. The issue caused such a commotion that casino executives, Clark County government, Laughlin Town Manager Jackie Brady, County Commissioner Bruce Woodbury, Assemblyman Joe Hardy and Senator Warren Hardy got involved to change the district's mind. Their efforts paid off and the health district responded to try to offer an alternative solution.

One aspect of the problem was confusion over the district's former name: Clark County officials promptly disavowed any connection with the district when the brouhaha began.

The health district staff said in a memo to the district board of health that they would recommend a 120-day moratorium be issued for the cease-and-desist order sent to the four Laughlin properties on Jan. 6. "The moratorium will allow for staff to write new regulations that specifically address dry camping for self-contained recreational vehicles (SCRVs)," the memo stated in part.

The memo further stated that, "While working to resolve this issue it became apparent that current Nevada regulations for RVs need to be updated to reflect the improved sanitary capabilities of newer SCRVs. New, updated draft regulations will go through the peer and industry review processes and public workshops. Regulations will then be presented to the Board of Health for consideration." The staff recommendations were approved unanimously at the board meeting Thursday.

Ramada Express general manager George Stadler said that he was "excited about their decision."

Stadler, who acted as spokesman for the four casinos in question, provided the impetus to rally government officials along with business and tourism groups to provide a united front opposing the health district's decision.

The efforts of all those involved kept the issue alive in the local media and helped the health district understand the negative impact the loss of RVers would have on Laughlin.

"I'm looking forward to working to get the ˜I's' dotted and the ˜Ts' crossed for after the 120-day moratorium. My first topic of conversation with the district is how we're going to notify all the RVers that were angered by this decision and let them know they're welcome back in Laughlin. We'll all have to get our thinking caps on to figure that out," Stadler said.