Pritchard Windsurfing

I got this note and decided to post it up..

The windsurfing at Lake Isabella as we know it is about to change forever. The days of camping at waters edge,being able to set up camp, rig your equipment and enjoy the convenience of being right there within a few steps of the water may be over before you know it. The latest proposal put forth by the Forestry prohibits vehicular travel to 300 feet from waters edge. You can still sail and you can still camp but no vehicles closer than 300ft.
Now that I have your attention I would like to post a letter sent to me by Chris Horgan, executive director of The Stewards of the Sequoia . A grassroots organization we can credit with bringing this whole issue to light .
The Forest service has combined the issue of trail travel management with the issue of vehicular access at the lake. Many of us windsurfers are also off road enthusiasts . This proposal affects everyone... windsurfers ,kiters,fishermen, campers ,anyone that enjoys access to our Sequoia Forest areas.
Thanks, WS

I wanted to give you an update on the proposed closure of traditional Lakeside Access at Lake Isabella.
Many people are not aware that earlier this year the US Forest Service released their Draft Route Designation Plan. That plan called for the elimination of ALL traditional lakeside access that has been enjoyed by windsurfers, boaters, fisherman and campers.

Fortunately Stewards of the Sequoia a local grassroots volunteer organization researched the 600 plus page Draft Plan and discovered the proposed closure. Stewards hired NEPA and other specialist to draft their substantive comment and organized local opposition to the closures.

WHERE ARE WE TODAY?
Due to Stewards efforts and comments, the Sequoia Forest Service has added a Modified Alternative 3 to the FEIS plan document (Page54), which now includes historical vehicle Lakeside access in the newly proposed 20 Recreation Areas around the Lake, including the Ghetto. This will allow the public to enjoy reduced access to the Lakeside compared to today. The public will still be able to drive down to the Lakeside, but they must then stay within 300 feet of the shoreline. Stewards further research has found that some of the boundaries of the new Recreation Areas do not extend down to low water.

Stewards will be submitting another comment to address the reduced Lakeside access that our research has brought to light. We feel the Forest Service will listen.

What has driven the positive changes we have seen in the planning process is the in depth research and substantive comments by Stewards of the Sequoia. It has cost Stewards tens of thousands of dollars to perform this public service including hiring NEPA and other specialists. Stewards are totally membership funded, but our funding has not been able to keep pace with our efforts. Our membership is made up mostly of off roaders and mountain bikers, yet we are effectively working to represent windsurfers, fisherman, boaters and the community.

HOWEVER THIS IS NOT A DONE DEAL
This planning process must be followed through to the end and may require legal action to help defend the Forest Service access position from lawsuits by closure activists. Stewards also need to review, research and respond to the 1400 page FEIS planning document.

In order for Stewards of the Sequoia to continue our planned efforts to preserve Lakeside Access we need financial help from more people. I hope the windsurfing community will respond. I have been fortunate to windsurf for over thirty years and know how wonderful Lake Isabella is. I hope each of you will realize it is worth $50 or $100 to help keep it open.

We want to raise $10,000 in the next month from new members like you. All donations are tax deductible which may help. You can learn more, become a member and donate here:

http://stewardsofthesequoia.org

Please keep in mind that only stakeholders like Stewards can respond and comment on the FEIS document. We do not recommend that the general public be urged to contact the Sequoia Forest. While we successfully enlisted public outrage to the prior version of the Forest DEIS plan, that would be counter productive at this phase of the planning process. We need the Forest Staff to focus their limited time on working with organizations like Stewards on constructive solutions.

Together we can preserve our access, economy and way of life.

--
Chris Horgan
Stewards of the Sequoia
Division of CTUC 501c3 Non Profit

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