ESTA SEEKS PUBLIC INPUT ON POSSIBLE BISHOP CREEK ROUTE
By Seth Conners
EASTERN SIERRA TRANSIT
BISHOP CREEK SHUTTLE STAKEHOLDER MEETING
Friday, January 27, 2017 – 10:00am
City of Bishop Executive Conference Room
377 West Line Street, Bishop, CA
The Bishop Creek area represents one of the key recreation destinations for residents and visitors in Inyo County. Given the area’s popularity, Eastern Sierra Transit’s Short Range Transit Plan analyzed and recommended the possibility of providing summer seasonal service along Bishop Creek.
Eastern Sierra Transit Authority is seeking stakeholder input on the possibility of a shuttle service between Bishop and the Bishop Creek area. A stakeholder meeting will be held on Friday, January 27, 2017, 10:00am at the City of Bishop Executive Conference Room (377 West Line Street, Bishop, CA). Anyone with interest in the expansion of public transit is the Bishop Creek area is invited to attend. Comment will also be accepted by email: jbatchelder@estransit.com or by calling 760-872-1901 ext. 11.
Inyo County and Bishop Paiute Tribe release statement on Bishop Creek Sewage Spill
April 11, 2016 By Arnie Palu
Inyo County Environmental Health and the Bishop Paiute Tribe have issued a statement further detailing the sewage spill into Bishop Creek. The unauthorized release of raw sewage into the South Fork of Bishop Creek started on March 14th and continued until it was discovered on March 24th. Officials continue to monitor flows and note that people and their pets are still advised to refrain from body contact activities in Bishop Creek.
Inyo County Environmental Health, Bishop Paiute Tribe statement:
BISHOP CREEK SEWAGE SPILL – FOLLOW UP
On Friday, March 25, 2016 the Bishop Paiute Tribe and the Inyo County Environmental Health Department issued a media release notifying the public of an unauthorized release of raw sewage into the South Fork of Bishop Creek. Few details were available at the time and further information is now available.
A clog in the Bishop Paiute sewer system resulted in sewage backing up and discharging through an upstream manhole. The release traveled some 1500 feet over Tribal land before entering the South Fork of Bishop Creek. A review of the sewer systems’ flow records appear to indicate that the discharge began on March 14, 2016. The discharge was discovered the evening of March 24, 2016, and the clog was removed and the discharge stopped later that evening. Flow records indicate the discharge over the eleven day period averaged 68,000 gallons a day, and a total discharge of approximately 700,000 gallons. A significant portion of this flow percolated into the ground prior to reaching the Bishop Creek. Visual observations estimated the flow into the creek to be approximately 30 gallons per minute on the evening of March 24th. On March 25th, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power requested that the flow to the South Fork of Bishop Creek be increased in order to provide a flushing action that could assist in the remediation. The flows were increased by 7-8 cubic feet per second for a five hour duration.
Latest monitoring results show decreasing E. Coli bacteria levels in the section of stream downstream of where the discharge occurred. These levels still exceed the surface water standards set by the Bishop Tribe and the Lahontan RWQCB, but are lower than levels typically found in Bishop Creek during the summer. People, and their pets, are still advised to refrain from body contact activities in Bishop Creek at this time. This advisory applies to the South Fork of Bishop Creek near See Vee Lane and immediately downstream.
As a reminder, the Inyo National Forest is planning to repave and improve parking lot drainage at the South Lake Day Use and Trailhead parking lots this September. This much-needed work will also better protect natural resources in the area by reducing siltation.
This closure will have a significant impact on recreationalists to this popular area. The South Lake parking lots will be closed from September 8, 2015 until October 30, 2015 (seven weeks).
Boat ramp and trailer parking will not be available during the closure. Recreational vehicles and vehicles with trailers will not be permitted use of the South Lake Road beyond Bishop Creek Lodge during this construction closure.
Roadside parking will be authorized along South Lake Road, down canyon from Parchers Resort. Please do not park at Parchers Resort or at Rainbow Pack Station unless you are a customer.
Hiking access to South Lake, Bishop Pass Trail, and Treasure Lakes will be via Parchers Resort and the Rainbow Pack Station. It is approximately one mile to connect to the Bishop Pass Trail at South Lake from this location.
“The Inyo National Forest realizes this closure will be inconvenient to recreational users of South Lake and that the reconstruction activities will affect many recreational activities,” said Ed Armenta, Forest Supervisor. “We request your patience in the short-term during this project that will dramatically improve the experience in the long-term.”
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The general trout opener will commence on Saturday, April 25th, one hour before sunrise. California Department of fish and wildlife indicates that they are, “Making every effort to stock trout in all accessible waters approved for planting prior to the season opener. This years unprecedented drought could play a major role in determining how many rivers, creeks, lakes and reservoirs can be stocked before April 25th.
Lake Sabrinabridge to North LakeIntake 2
Mandatory Boat inspections remain at Crowley
As Opening of Fishing Season approaches, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) will be hosting Quagga and Zebra Mussel inspections for trailered watercraft from April 22 through April 24, 2015. The Department reminds local boaters that all motorized vessels planning to launch at Crowley Lake must be inspected prior to launch.
Boat inspections will be held at the Vons/Kmart parking lot in Bishop and at the Crowley Lake Fish Camp. Vons/Kmart inspections will be held April 22 and 23 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and on Friday, April 24 from 7 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Crowley Fish Camp inspections will be held April 22 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., April 23 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and April 24 from 7 a.m. to dark.
On Opening Day, April 25, boats can also be inspected from sunrise until sunset but, due to high demand, waiting until Opening day is not recommended. Boat inspections at Crowley will continue throughout the fishing season.
Boats showing signs of contamination with invasive mussels, or found to contain any water or debris that could harbor invasive mussels, will not be allowed to launch into Crowley Lake.
Pre-inspected boats may use the pre-paid line at the main gate at South Landing of Crowley Lake to expedite entry. If you are planning on launching a boat into Crowley Lake please keep the following in mind:
–All boats and trailers must be CLEAN and DRY or they will be denied access.
–If the owner of the vessel chooses not to clean the vessel they will not be allowed to launch.
–All drain plugs must be removed prior to boat transport.
–All vehicles towing boats will be required to have a visible Inspection Certification during boat launching at Crowley Lake.
–Boat owners should be aware there may be an extended wait to enter Crowley Lake Reservoir due to these important protective measures.
Inspections are required for the protection of the fishery at Crowley Lake and in order to keep the reservoir open to recreational boating. The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power and Crowley Lake Fish Camp appreciate the cooperation of boat owners and will work to expedite the inspection and certification process.
For more information contact LADWP at (760) 873-0409 or www.LADWP.com/mussels or Crowley Lake Fish Camp at (760) 935-4043.
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