Oregon bans camping along Willamette River inside Eugene city limits

EUGENE, Ore. - The camping ban along the Willamette River in Eugene is now in effect.

The Oregon Department of State Lands announced the ban last week. Currently, no activity is allowed on the banks and islands of the Willamette River within Eugene city limits from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.

The restriction aims to prevent property damage and protect water quality.

Ryan Turner with the City of Eugene says the state is working with the city to develop new rules around the ban.

“It sounds like our first approach will be to contact the state agency in charge of enforcing laws, Oregon State Police and see if they have the capacity to enforce be new state ban," Turner said.

Turner says officials will be looking at various new rules for the ban this summer, coming up with permanent rules around the fall.