*** Oregon Rescue Liability Legislation ***

Fri Jul 28 11:11:44 1995
Message : #29539945    From: Rock & Ice
Address : RockandIce@nile.com
Group   : Usenet.rec.climbing
Subject : Re: Do not get lost in Oregon
Org.    : NileNet Limited

I just spoke with Legislative Council in Oregon. I was researching this
rescue fee issue for Rock & Ice magazine. Here's the story:

In the middle of September, a bill will go into effect that makes people
liable for rescue costs incurred by the rescuing county. The criteria for
charging a rescued party is:

1. The party or person may only be charged if they broke applicable laws or
showed some sort of gross negligence.
2. The party or person may only be liable for $500 per person. So if a two
person party gets rescued and the cost is $4000 they could only be charged
$500ea ($1000 total). The county absorbs the rest. If the rescue cost is
$800, then they would be charged $400 per person. Basically, the sum of the
rescue is divisible by the number of people in the party unless it exceeds
$500/ person. After that, the county absorbs the cost.

Say, for example, you are on the S side of Mt. Hood which borders two
counties. You can be liable for $500 per person in both counties if both
counties mount rescue efforts. For all intents and purposes, this ups the
liability ante to $1000/ person. But the liklihood that both counties will
mount efforts is slim. Just dont get lost on the border b/w 2 counties.

Thats all I know.

John M. @ Rock & Ice magazine.
(Rock & Ice)

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