National Forest Fees (FLREA) Town Hall, 7/15/2008, Lake Isabella, CA, Sequoia National Forest - Post #3

The Lake Isabella-Bodfish Property Owners Association hosted a Kern River Valley Town Hall in Lake Isabella, CA on July 15, 2008. The purpose of the gathering was to discuss the new fees being proposed for the Sequoia National Forest by Forest Service Supervisor Tina Terrell. The Forest Service claims that the December 2004 Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (FLREA) allows the agency to raise fees on Public Lands in the United States.

The complete meeting was recorded.
The Town Hall introduction by Carol Rutledge (video) is on Post *1 for this topic. Post #2 provides audio files for speakers Peter Wiechers, Ron Benoit and Forest Service Supervisor Tina Terrell. This Post #3 provides audio files of the Question and Answer session where audience members ask questions and the speakers respond. There are three parts to the Q & A session.

Please visit this link: http://kernvalley.googlepages.com/home for updated information on this topic and how you can voice your concern.


Sequoia National Forest town hall Q and A session Part One
23 Minutes

Sequoia National Forest town hall Q and A session Part Two
28 Minutes

Sequoia National Forest town hall Q and A session Part Three
28 Minutes

National Forest Fees (FLREA) Town Hall, 7/15/2008, Lake Isabella, CA, Sequoia National Forest - Post #2

The Lake Isabella-Bodfish Property Owners Association hosted a Kern River Valley Town Hall in Lake Isabella, CA on July 15, 2008. The purpose of the gathering was to discuss the new fees being proposed for the Sequoia National Forest by Forest Service Supervisor Tina Terrell. The Forest Service claims that the December 2004 Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (FLREA) allows the agency to raise fees on Public Lands in the United States. The complete meeting was recorded; the introduction video is on my earlier post today. This followup shows videos two, three and four of seven: the presentations of the three invited speakers - Peter Wiechers, Ron Benoit and Forest Service Supervisor Tina Terrell.


Peter Wiechers: Kayaker, History and Science Teacher


Audio from Peter Wiechers, Speaker One


Ron Benoit: Former President, Property Owners Association



Audio from Ron Benoit, Speaker Two


Tina Terrell: Sequoia National Forest Supervisor
Audio from Tina Terrell, Speaker Three

National Forest Fees (FLREA) Town Hall, 7/15/2008, Lake Isabella, CA, Sequoia National Forest

The Lake Isabella-Bodfish Property Owners Association hosted a Kern River Valley Town Hall in Lake Isabella, CA on July 15, 2008. The purpose of the gathering was to discuss the new fees being proposed for the Sequoia National Forest by Forest Service Supervisor Tina Terrell. The Forest Service claims that the December 2004 Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (FLREA) allows the agency to raise fees on Public Lands in the United States. The complete meeting was recorded; this is part one of seven. The Town Hall Introduction is conducted by Carol Rutledge.


Property Owners Association President, Carol Rutledge


Video of the beginning of the meeting


Former Property Owners Association President, Ron Benoit

Lake Isabella and Kern River PROPOSED FEE AREAS

To all my friends who recreate in the Lake Isabella and Kern River, California area:

The U.S. Forest Service is proposing FEE AREAS in a contiguous region
surrounding Lake Isabella and north to the Johnsondale Bridge. Please
look at the maps posted here to see the areas involved. You have an
opportunity to write to the Congressional Committee in Washington, DC
that has the authority to STOP THE FEE HIKE. JULY 2, 2008 is the DEADLINE
to send your comments. To learn how to send your letter by EMAIL or FAX
please go to the Western Slope No Fee website link below to read the
particulars.

http://westernslopenofee.org/index2.php?display=yes&pageid=22

SYNERGY CSUB Todd Madigan Gallery

The Todd Madigan Gallery at CSU Bakersfield hosts "SYNERGY" thru June 7, 2008. Watch video from the opening reception May 22nd. This exhibit features work from Senior Art Students who will be graduating in June. Gallery hours are Wed. thru Sat., Noon to 6pm.

Alyssum, Iris, Poppies and Sweet Peas

Every April we open our home for the Kern Valley Art Tour. Since we feature outdoor sculpture I’ve been working to discover the flowers that will bloom as a backdrop to the artwork. This year it turned out to be sweet alyssum, iris, poppies and sweet peas. I will be taking photographs each month to develop a timetable for this elevation and climate zone. A few of the images are included here for your enjoyment.

Kayaking in Kernville, CA

The last two weekends showcased events that always seem to kick off the summer tourism season: The Kern River Whitewater Races and the Kern River Valley Open Studio and Gallery Tour. I am including some video I shot in Kernville on Sat. April 19. The Mini Cooper club was in town, in force and paddlers were practicing for the first race in the Sierra Cup Slalom Series. Check out the paddlers website for more events throughout California. The next Kern River race will be held August 23 and 24.
( http://www.kernfestival.org/sierracup.htm )