Rule 33-203-12.1 - General It shall be unlawful for any Person to camp within one-half mile of any platted subdivision or on any land posted "No Camping" located within the Reservoir Project Area except on property privately leased and not open to the public or in campgrounds operated by the District. For purposes of this regulation, "camp" or "camping" is defined as residing on or using property for one or more nights for living accommodation purposes, such as sleeping activities or making preparations to sleep or storing personal belongings (including but not limited to clothing, sleeping bags, bedrolls, blankets, back packs, food, drink, kitchen utensils and similar material), making any fire, erecting any tent or make-shift covering, residing in a parked vehicle or assembling for the purpose of camping. These activities constitute camping when it reasonably appears, in light of all the circumstances, that a person(s) is utilizing the space in a manner contrary to this regulation.
(a) All camping conducted on the Reservoir Project Area not within a campground operated by the Pearl River Valley Water Supply District (PRVWSD) shall be primitive camping.(b) Definition of primitive camping.(i) Simple camping in a natural setting without improvements or modern conveniences. Water, sewer and electrical systems provided by a local authority are considered improvements. Generators may be used provided that use complies with the PRVWSD noise regulations and the generator is removed at the end of the camping trip.(ii) All equipment used in camping must be brought to the site at the beginning of or during the camping trip and removed at the end of the camping trip.(iii) No permanent structures or facilities may be constructed or installed. This includes but is not limited to lumber and metal frames for holding tents and/or tarpaulins, decks and stairways. Metal flag poles displaying the flag of the State of Mississippi and/or the flag of the United States of America may be used.(iv) Alteration of the natural setting or habitat is not allowed. Campers may cut grass growing on the sandbars. Cutting of trees and brush is not allowed.(v) Camping is overnight stays of short duration. The maximum time allowed for each camping trip is ten days. Campsites must be cleared and cleaned at the end of each camping trip. Campers are responsible for removal of all trash and camping equipment.(vi) Campers wishing to camp for more than ten days must move to another site and re-register for a new camper permit (see section (e) below).(c) Items not allowed. (i) Permanent ground cover.(ii) Permanent structures.(iii) Tarpaulins or other materials suspended from permanent poles, rigging or structures. NOTE: Tarpaulins used during the course of a camping trip are allowed provided the tarpaulin is removed at the end of the trip and no permanent poles, rigging or structures are utilized.(d) Any camping conducted upstream of Highway 43 must be done so within sight of the Pearl River or the Reservoir.(e) Campers must obtain a camping permit (free of charge) by calling the PRVWSD staff at the Goshen Springs Campground (601-829-2751). After normal business hours call the Reservoir Control Tower (601-992-9703). Campers will be given a permit number. Only this number must be displayed at the campsite. Information required to be provided to the PRVWSD when obtaining a permit is as follows:(i) Name, address and cell telephone number of the responsible person on the camping trip.(ii) Location of the camp. If the site is unknown, call the PRVWSD staff when the site has been selected. Site location can be by latitude and longitude coordinates or local name.(iii) Planned duration of the camping trip.(iv) Anticipated number of campers.(f) Camping permit number assigned by the PRVWSD must be displayed on the largest tent or temporary structure located on campsite. Camping permit number should be written on a paper at least 5"x 7" in size, and in block lettering. It is preferred the permit number be placed in a "Ziplock" type clear storage bag and hung in a location on campsite so the permit can be recognized from the water by PRVWSD staff. Only the permit number is required to be displayed.(g) Camping is not allowed within the Pearl River Wildlife Management Area. Refer to Title 40, Mississippi Administrative Code Part 2, Chapter 1.19.33 Miss. Code. R. 203-12.1
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-9-127 (Rev. 2000)