TAHLEQUAH — The Oklahoma Scenic Rivers Commission on Friday delivered a sweeping set of rule changes to the Legislature.

The rules would ban the consumption of alcoholic beverages at four public access areas along the Illinois River, revise the licensing process for commercial flotation devices, and restrict commercial floating on the Barren Fork and Flint creeks.

The new rules, some of which have been in the works for more than a year, were approved Thursday during a special business meeting. OSRC Administrator Ed Fite said the new rules, if there are no objections from the governor or lawmakers, are expected to take effect July 1.

“The goal is to make the rules clear and concise,” Fite said of the changes. “OSRC seeks to eliminate redundancy and confusion, streamline procedures and improve efficiency in order to better preserve the scenic rivers in their natural, scenic state.”

Commissioners Rick Stubblefield and Gerald Hilsher said the process of obtaining commercial operating licenses had been a problem in the past, but the new rules should improve matters greatly.

Archie Peyton III, who, along with his father, owns and operates Peyton’s Place, said he believes the new rules will help clarify and streamline the licensing process, which became bogged down in 2007 due to misunderstandings and confusion.

“For the most part, I think it’s going to be a good thing,” Peyton said of the licensing provisions. “The new rules are more straightforward and easier to understand.”

The adoption of the rules was completed Thursday with little discussion or public comment. A summary of public comments made during a March 18 hearing notes the commission received 998 post cards from area residents requesting that alcoholic beverages not be banned from the Illinois River.

Restricting the alcohol-consumption ban to four public access areas along the river apparently appeased the people who opposed a total ban — nobody showed up March 18 or Thursday to contest the proposed rule change.

With regard to the consumption of alcoholic beverages, which includes 3.2 beer, recreationists would be banned from possessing an open container or consuming alcoholic beverages at the following locations:

• Round Hollow, Illinois River.

• No Head Hollow, Illinois River.

• U.S. 62, Illinois River.