Michael Batelaan/Kern River Courier Kern River District Ranger Rick Larson, foreground, glances at the Courier while the Travel Management meeting rages on.

The purpose of the meeting was to receive written comments from the public about which routes are important to them so the Forest can decide which to designate as approved.

However, most attendees left without submitting a written comment or writing on the maps provided.

Most of the audience seemed to be simply against designated routes and campsites around the lake, preferring a dispersed-type arrangement where they can drive wherever they want, park wherever they want, camp wherever they want and launch their boats from wherever they want. Many wanted the Forest Service to leave things as they are and just pay more attention to things like clean the restrooms and empty the trash more often.

Forest Service officials, however, wanted to present their plan to restrict the large number of “uncontrolled” routes drivers have created on the land between the high water mark and the water’s edge.

“The roads are our reponsibility,” said Tina Terrell, supervisor of Sequoia National Forest.
They explained that they have been mandated by Congress to designate routes, and that was the purpose of the meeting, to find out where the most popular ones are.

A sea of cars filled the Veterans/Senior Center parking lot Monday night as about 300 people attended a public workshop about designating routes by the lakeshore.

The meeting was opened by Sequoia National Forest Public Affairs Officer Mary Chislock, who introduced Project Leader Chris Sanders.

Sanders explained that the areas around the lake were at first managed by Kern County Parks and Recreation. In 1971 control was turned over to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which also managed the dams. In 1991 recreation control was switched to the U.S. Forest Service.

The Army Corps had a management plan for Isabella during its reign (which is current law), and now the Forest Service wants to change it.

“That plan has problems,” said Terrell.

The public was then urged many times by officials to submit comments in writing and were told how to do it, but instead they raised their voices against the Forest Service’s plans.

Many attendees thought they should have the right to approve or reject  the Forest Service’s management of the lakeshore area, since the Forest Service is working for the public and are their employees.

Steve Merlot first asked if written comments would receive an answer. (Terrell said yes). Then he said, “It seems you people have already made up your minds what you’re going to do.”

Art Robinson of the KRV Fish and Game Habitat Club said that its members have traditionally been free for many years to drive around the lake and create fish and game habitat, and that they need unfettered access in order to continue that.

“Do we throw away 23 years of work away?” he said.

One male resident simply stated, “Designated routes scare the hell out of me.”

Katie Reis was critical of the Forest Service in general when she said, “It’s the Forest Service, but there isn’t a tree (around the lake)!”

Ray Thurm, president of the KRV Chamber of Commerce, said, “We need more accress to the lake, not less!”

But Terrell reiterated, “I am mandated by law to put a plan together. I take my responsibility very seriously.”

Sanders added that things are still open for discussion. “We can designate a travel area,” instead of just roads, he said.

Those who wish to submit a comment must do so by March 31, so time is very short.

Submit your comments to: Chris Sanders, Project Leader, Sequoia National Forest, 1839 S. Newcomb St., Porterville CA 93257. Or e-mail them to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Or fax them to 559-781-4744.  

The Draft EIS, 10 maps representing the alternatives, and other project information are available on the Sequoia National Forest website at: www.fs.fed.us/r5/sequoia/projects/ohv, or a CD with the Draft EIS and maps can be requested by email from This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , or by contacting Sanders at (559) 784-1500.