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Lake Isabella HIRA
If the existing HIRA is expanded around the lake does that mean there will be increased opportunities for overnight camping?
No, there are no plans to increase the opportunity for more overnight camping. There is already a large capacity for shoreline camping at Lake Isabella as well as developed overnight campsites at Forest Service and concession-operated campgrounds. The expansion of the HIRA boundary would provide the means for addressing operation and maintenance of the day use and existing overnight camping areas in the proposed expansion area.
What about people already paying for other uses of the lake? Such as marina fees and boat permits?
Boat permits are collected by the county for managing boating on the water surface and no portion of those fees are returned to the Forest Service to manage shoreline use, maintain boat ramps or courtesy docks.
Marinas under special use permits with the Forest Service charge customers a fee for services they provide such as slip or watercraft rentals. Marina customers are not required to pay an extra fee while using the facilities provided to them by the marina under their special recreation permit such as the designated marina parking area.
Can visitors beach their craft within the lake HIRA without an additional fee?
Yes, the proposed fee is for recreational use within the HIRA but it is a vehicle based, per vehicle charge. Visitors without a vehicle who are boating within the HIRA, traveling on foot, or bicycle do not pay a fee.
What about parking of vehicles associated with the water craft when other fees have already been paid?
The recreational use fee for visitors within the HIRA is a vehicle based, per vehicle fee and if the vehicle is within the HIRA a fee is charged. Other fees that may have been paid, such as those associated with the boat permit on Lake Isabella or use of facilities at a marina are separate fees and are paid to an entity other than the Forest Service. Areas and facilities covered under a special use permit such as concessionaire campground or marina are exempt and do not require an additional fee for the HIRA if the vehicle is within the concessionaire campground or the marina's permitted parking area.
What about day use when there is no camping involved, such as walking your dog, fishing, swimming, etc. Would there be no fee, or less of a fee, for certain activities?
The Lake Isabella HIRA fee is a vehicle-based fee for recreational use of the National Forest System lands and facilities provided within the area. There is no distinction made between the lengths of stay or activities visitors engage in while recreating.
Would there be day limits on lake access, or only limits on number of overnight stays?
There would be no limit on the number of days a person can purchase a daily pass or use their annual pass for day use. There is a forest order which limits camping, parking or leaving a motor vehicle or trailer in one place or in one developed campground for more than14 days within any 30-day period.
Are all the amenities available at the existing Lake Isabella high impact recreation area?
Yes. FLREA requires that all of the following amenities are provided and are located in an integrated manner so they reasonably accommodate the visitor.
- Designated developed parking at all recreation areas
- Permanent toilet facility provided at all recreation areas- Flush restrooms at Auxiliary, Old Isabella, South Fork Recreation Area, CXT vault toilet at Old Isabella, Portable toilets provided as needed
- Permanent trash receptacle-Trash service and dumpsters are provide at all three sites
- Interpretive sign, exhibit, or kiosk- Visitor information kiosks at all three sites
- Picnic tables - South Fork Recreation Area
- Security services - Forest Protection Technicians and Forest Service Law Enforcement Officers make routine patrols supplemented by Kern County Sheriff Department. Two seasonal recreation technicians are assigned to the area to make visitor contacts and check for compliance.
Additional facilities include an RV dump station at Auxiliary, Campground host site at Auxiliary, showers at Auxiliary #3, boat launches at Old Isabella and South Fork Recreation Area, fire rings at South Fork Recreation Area, and water hydrants at all three sites.
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