AMENDMENT #3

[Access news release about Amendment #3 - November 19, 2004]
  [Access Questions and Answers - 2004 Private Vessel Policy]

PRIVATE VESSEL STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES

General Vessel Requirements:

• Vessels must meet all Federal, State, and local regulations, including water quality laws, California Boating Law, and county ordinances.
• Moorage shall be in approved commercial marinas or other designated Forest Service approved facilities.
• Vessels may occupy shoreline areas for up to 14 consecutive days at any one area per calendar year. An area, for purposes here, is a general location such as a particular cove or length of shoreline not less than ¼ mile in length.
• Styrofoam or other non-rigid material may not be used for flotation unless it is encased in a material approved by the Forest Service.
• Vessels greater than 31 feet in overall length and/or greater than 12 feet in width are prohibited on Shasta, Trinity, and Lewiston Lakes, except by permit. Vessels may not exceed two levels in height, with not more than one enclosed level, except by permit. Nothing permanently or semi-permanently attached to the vessel may extend beyond the maximum size.

Recreational Occupancy Vessel (ROV)

Permitted Vessel Requirements
 

• ROV is defined as any watercraft that is greater than 31 feet in overall length and/or greater than 12 feet in width. Any vessel that meets the definition and is used or stored on Shasta or Trinity Lakes must be authorized by special use permit.
• Vessels must be currently registered with the California Department of Motor Vehicles.
• Vessels must have an operational engine commensurate with the size of the vessel. Sailboats must have an engine capable of maneuvering the vessel into marinas and moorage areas.
• Unless otherwise authorized by the Forest Service, ROVs shall only be used for overnight occupancy when such use is associated with recreational boating. ROVs or other watercraft, whether under permit by the Forest Service or not, shall not to be used as a residence.
• ROVs may be owned by a corporation only if the corporation is established solely for the purpose of operating and managing the ROV. ROVs are for personal recreation use only. Personal recreation use is defined as noncommercial use by the holder, members of his or her immediate family, and guests. ROVs shall not be rented or offered for rent on a commercial or business basis, or used as barter, compensation, or remuneration.
• ROV permits which are returned to the Forest Service voluntarily or through adverse permit action will not be reissued.
• Marinas shall verify that an ROV has a permit from the Forest Service before entering into moorage agreements for vessels greater than 31 feet in overall length and/or greater than 12 feet in width.
• Ownership of an ROV is limited to six (6) owners. An owner is defined as a person or persons who would reasonably and normally use the ROV at the same time such as a husband and wife.
• When required by the Forest Service, all ROVs must pass an annual compliance review by June 1 each year on Shasta Lake and July 1 each year on Trinity Lake. If an ROV has not passed the required compliance review by the required date, it may not be used and the permit will be subject to revocation or termination. Self inspections with monitoring may be used to meet this standard, at the discretion of the Forest Service.

Permits are issued in two separate categories: Tenure and Provisional. Permit holders for a vessel in one category may not transfer the permit to a vessel in another category. A permit is valid only for the lake for which it was authorized. Only one ROV permit will be authorized to a person or entity within the NRA:

1. Tenure ROV Permit; this category includes all existing permitted ROVs as of the effective date of this amendment. Limit the number of private ROVs under Tenure Permit to the present level of 624 for Shasta Lake, and 99 for Trinity Lake. Issue no additional permits above these levels.

a. The maximum allowable size is fifteen feet (15) wide by fifty-six (56) feet long. This category of permitted vessel may not exceed three levels in height, and may not exceed two enclosed levels. Nothing permanently or semi-permanently attached may extend beyond the maximum size except a pull out boarding plank at the front of the vessel, hinged ladders, swing out hoist, and slide offset as needed for safe use (not to exceed 12 inches). Vessels may have “bumpers” attached to protect the vessel when it is moored or being docked. These “bumpers” may not exceed two (2) inches in depth, allowing an additional four (4) inches to the vessel width or length. Poles that slide out of the side of an ROV and are used for attaching and towing a vessel such as a ski boat or fishing boat are allowed. These poles may not be extended while the ROV is moored at a dock and may be extended only when there is a boat attached to the pole.

b. Permit holders with vessels 31 feet or less in length and less than 12 feet in width may voluntarily relinquish their special use permit to the Forest Service. Relinquished permits will not be reissued.

c. The permit holder may sell their vessel and a permit will be issued to a new qualified owner of the permitted ROV.

d. The permit holder may remove their ROV from the NRA and relinquish the permit in favor of obtaining a new permit for a different qualifying ROV.

2. Provisional ROV Permit; this category includes all vessels that are greater than 31 feet in overall length and/or greater than 12 feet in width, do not currently have a permit, and which maintained moorage for at least 30 consecutive days during the 2004 summer season at an authorized marina on Shasta or Trinity Lakes. This type of permit will be issued to transition from an amenities-based ROV definition to a size-based definition. Permit stipulations include the following:

a. Permits are not transferable. A new permit will not be issued upon sale or transfer of ownership of the vessel. The permit will not be transferred to a different vessel. If the current owner ceases to retain ownership or increases the size of the specified vessel it must be removed from the NRA.

b. If the vessel is damaged beyond repair, the vessel must be removed from the lake.

c. Permits will be issued for a period of 2 years to coincide with the California DMV registration period (issued on even numbered years). Initially this will be for one year starting in 2005 and thereafter for 2 years. The owner must submit a current DMV registration when applying for a new 2-year permit. Subsequent 2-year permits will only be issued to the owner(s) of record at the time the provisional permit was initially issued.

d. A Forest Service sticker will be issued; the sticker will be positioned 12 inches from the DMV registration sticker.

e. The permit shall stipulate the maximum height, length, width and legal identification of the permitted vessel. The owner is required to sign a statement verifying and acknowledging correct measurement of the permitted vessel.

f. The minimum annual fee is $30; this may be adjusted periodically based on appraisal.

g. New “Provisional” Permits will not be available after December 31, 2005.
 

[Access news release about Amendment #3 - November 19, 2004]