Castaic Lake spared yet again
Castaic Lake isn’t closing at the end of the month after all. Again. The cash-strapped L.A. County Department of Parks and Recreation, which has been threatening for months to close the site unless it receives financial help, got another reprieve at a hearing last Tuesday -- a $753,000 appropriation from the Board of Supervisors.
At the same hearing, entry and boat-launch fees were raised $1 for the off-season (Oct. 1-May 30) and $2 for peak months. This will keep the lake open until the Legislature reconvenes in January, when it is set to vote on Senate Bill 1043, which would provide funding through the fiscal year.
Meanwhile, the parks department and the California Resources Agency are forming a task force to explore long-term options to keep the recreation area running.
“Everyone’s real frustrated over this roller coaster, where every month or two they’re saying we’ll be closed down,” said Donna Fernholz, who rents boats and sells tackle from a concession stand at the Castaic marina.
“No one believes this lake could possibly close. It’s just too popular among boaters, fishermen and families.”
-- Pete Thomas
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