BRETT BINGHAM
District Ranger Thomas Peters
Pinedale Ranger District
29 East Fremont Lake Road
PO Box 220
Pinedale WY 82941-0220
March 24, 2009
Tom- Fax: 307-367-5750
I wanted to offer some thoughts on the use of the southern area of Fremont Lake.
Having studied the Environmental Assessment, I would like to offer my perspective on the immediate impact this assessment has on the usage of the lake by catamaran and dinghy sailors, while addressing their needs.
If I may, I would like to provide some background as well as explain the importance this area has to my family and fellow sailors.
In 1988, I was invited to Fremont Lake with the Utah Sailing Association by the late Dr. Bert Reinow to participate in the Little America’s Cup Regatta, sponsored by the Pinedale Boat Club. The (USA) has continued to support this event since the late 1960’s.
Upon further discovery of the area, the Regatta has been one of many activities we have enjoyed. Other activities include Water Skiing, Fishing, SCUBA Diving, Snorkeling and Swimming the south shore waters, Bicycling to Elkhart Park, Hiking to Sacred Rim and Photographers Point.
Our excursions to Fremont Lake would begin after work on a Thursday or Friday evening. We would make the 240-mile trip from Ogden to the lake with boat (catamaran) in tow, arriving late in the evening at the “big rock”. We would set up the tent, rollout the sleeping bags and wake the next morning to the sight of the lake and the Wind River Mountains from the south shore. We would walk over to the Lakeside Lodge for breakfast and enjoy the scenery from the tables located on the outside terraces and marvel at the expanse of the glacial moraine and the awesome beauty of the area.
For a small fee, the owner of the lodge would allow us use of the bathhouse facilities and stay in the area of the “Big Rock” with the provision to leave the area free of any trash or traces of our visit.
District Ranger Thomas Peters
Page 2
Afterward, we would begin the set up and rigging of the boat, then slip it into the water, gingerly maneuvering it over and around the boulders submerged under and through the lakes surface, to a spot on the beach where we could continue rigging and raising the sails with consideration of the direction of the wind.
Once finished with the rigging process, we would put on our sailing gear and spend the afternoon sailing and practicing for the Regatta. As nightfall came we would enjoy the evening sitting around the campfire as the heat radiated off the side of big rock, while staring upwards in awe at the clarity of the Milky Way.
For many years, I have been promoting the Regatta to folks back home in Utah and touting the beauty of the area. In 2002, at the Lakeside Lodge, my good friend and fellow competitor, John LeCain, and I became the recipients of the Dr. Bert Reinow “Friends of Sailing” award – because of our many years of dedication and support of the Regatta and our promotion of sailing on Fremont Lake.
We have accumulated many wonderful memories of the Fremont Lake Area.
I would like to continue these traditions with my family and fellow sailors.
Listed below are needs of the Catamaran and Dinghy Sailor for use of Fremont Lake.
A diagram has been attached to illustrate the area of concern with nomenclature known to sailors using this area.
One-Allow shore launching of catamarans and dinghies, just east of the “Big Rock” area. (See attached diagram)
Use of this shore launch area enables us to launch boats in the closest proximity to Sandy Beach (Catamaran/Boat Beach) with the shortest amount of maneuvering through the “boulder field” to the beach. (Once launched the boats are walked east to Sandy Beach for rigging.) Due to the construction of competitive race boats, they lack tie off cleats and the lightweight hulls are easily damaged by docks. These boats range in size from 12 to 20 feet in length, a 3 to 8 foot beam, mast height of 20 to 32 feet, with a total displacement of less than 410 lbs., drafting 6-10” with boards up. (Several of these craft are very nice high-performance race boats with a value of 5K-20k dollars.)
It has been suggested the old launch could be used.
Possibly, extensive clearing of the boulder field down shore, concrete repair and some tree removal at this launch would need to be implemented.
The problem with this launch as-is, is the additional distance required maneuvering boats through the boulder field to Sandy Beach; adding wind and waves to the process makes this a very difficult task.
Two-Allow for a section of the West side of Sandy Beach to be used for boat setup and boat overnight stay.
With a limited stay for boats on beach, use of this area would allow for setup and rigging of boats throughout the season.
District Ranger Thomas Peters
Page 3
This would be particularly helpful during the Regatta, since we retreat to the beach between heats and in somewhat sheltered water during adverse weather conditions without having to worry about running aground in the “boulder field”.
Three-Allow use of the section of ground located west of the “Big Rock” for overnight use, set up of tents, and chairs.
Staying overnight here in this area in close proximity to the boats enables us to be within watch, and earshot of the boats for security, or from wind gusts and waves rolling in, creating a potential hazard to the boats being washed upon the rocks or blown over. (The provision in the past has been we use the Lakeside Lodge for bathing or the vault toilet facilities at Sandy Beach. No bathing or dishwashing has been allowed in the lake.) (Additionally our group has demonstrated responsible usage of this area during our stay.)
It has been suggested the Lakeside Lodge RV area may be available for this purpose. Although this area is located at a greater distance from tending to the boats, it would be of interest to our party to stay here overnight.
Four-Allow use of existing fire ring, located at the “Big Rock.”
Five-Continued use of the Stewart Flat area. (Aside from the Big Rock and Sandy Beach concerns.)
Instead of a complete closure to this area, I would propose designating a 10 acre area, for overnight use with a 7-day stay limit, to eliminate abuse of scattered and extended transient camping. Also, restrict the use of this area to coincide with seasonal wildlife migration.
Related to abuse of the area, I feel there are common culprits involved. On several occasions I have chased off kids visiting the beach area in the middle of the night “starting the party”, with stereos blasting, and some pretty impressive quantities of alcohol consumed, as evident by the containers left on the beach and on our boats in their haste to leave. I’ve noted they flee westward to Stewart Flats or up the road leading to Elkhart Park to continue partying.
Further supporting this observation, as I ride with several other bicyclists up the road to Elkhart Park, we have commented on the fair amount of litter scattered along the roadway. We have noted that the majority of the trash is beer cans and the 18 or 24 pack paper containers they are packaged in are discarded along the road. I feel this most likely is the result of the same type of culprits heading up the hill to party.
District Ranger Thomas Peters
Page 4
I base this assumption that those people heading up to Elkhart to hike the Wind Rivers typically are not getting “loaded up” before their trek into the Wilderness.
It angers me when areas are closed because of the abuse of a few. I feel to control these problems; additional patrols by law enforcement with proper fines would deter this problem; allowing these areas to remain open and used responsibly by the public.
It is my hope the Forest Service will include the needs of the catamaran and dinghy sailor in the Fremont Lake Recreational Enhancement Project.
Sincerely,
Brett Bingham
Commodore Utah Sailing Association
Director of Sailing Utah Summer Games
2403 Combe
Ogden, UT 84403
801-815-2521
BB/mc
Attachment – as noted
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