The Fish Lake Three Marinas Renovation project is an expensive undertaking that is being done in phases over several years. The project has been planned and designed to only do what is absolutely necessary to bring the marinas up to basic needs at this time. We are still short of funding to complete what is considered minimum work to improve the situation for boating and anglers at Fish Lake. Currently the plan is to begin work on the marinas renovation in May or June 2019 (FY19) and continue into fall 2019 (FY20), using funding already committed over both fiscal years. FY19 has $801,000.00 committed from DWR Federal Motor Boat Access funds ($450K), Utah State Parks matching funds ($150K), Utah Outdoor Recreation Grant ($100K), Sevier County Travel Council ($1K), Blue Ribbon Fisheries ($50K) and DWR Habitat Council ($50K). FY20 has $750,000.00 committed from DWR Federal Motor Boat Access funds ($562.5K) and Utah State Parks matching funds ($187.5K). Two year total of $1,551,000.00. Right now the engineers have estimated the cost of the first phase of construction to be $1,536,000.00. The next phase of construction for FY21 or FY22 is estimated to cost $1,432,000.00 and currently we have $750,000.00 committed from DWR Motor Boat Access funds and Utah State Parks matching funds. We are almost $700,000.00 short for what is needed for future phases of the project and there are still needs beyond that, such as new boat docks. Any funding we can secure for FY20 will be spent and other funding can be carried over to meet funding needs for future phases of the project in FY21 of FY22. We will also be applying for $150,000.00 to the Utah Outdoor Recreation Grant program in February for additional funding help in FY20. We have previously discussed why the marinas need to be renovated and the following outlines why this project needs to be completed: Fish Lake provides one of the more popular fisheries in the state, with over 157,000 angler hours annually (2017 creel survey). Almost all anglers at Fish Lake use boats for fishing, outside of ice fishing season. Almost all angling occurs from boats due to the very limited opportunities for shore fishing. Currently, the facilities at all three marinas are at or above capacity for use. Bowery Haven Marina has a 4-year waiting list for seasonal boat slips. The 11 pontoon rentals are fully checked out each weekend between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Slips and dock space are limited for additional rentals or courtesy public boat docking. Similar conditions occur at Lakeside and Lodge marinas. Visitor use has increased significantly within the last 5 years, and the trend is expected to continue into the future. The marinas were built in the 1960s, when most boats on the lake were 12- to 15-foot aluminum fishing boats with small outboard motors. Pontoon boats were very rare and larger boats were seldom used for fishing in the 1960s. Small aluminum fishing boats are still used today; however, larger boats that can be used for variety of water activities now make up a much larger percentage of the boats used in Utah and for fishing. Pontoon boats are becoming more popular, especially at Fish Lake. Pontoon boats are typically 8.5 feet in width and take up the boat slip space of two smaller boats. The existing marina facilities are not conducive to launching, docking, and navigating larger boats. The boat ramps are short and narrow, and large boats do not have enough room to maneuver in the small marinas. The marinas facilities are in poor condition. Many of the docks are narrow and made of wood; this results in unstable and slippery conditions, and high maintenance efforts. Many dock anchor points are substandard, creating unsafe conditions and frequent maintenance needs. The dikes, which are used to access some of the slips, have uneven surfaces and are overtopped by water at times. Large rocks in and around the marina entrances present a hazard to boaters. Dirt parking areas are uneven and boundaries are not well defined. Restroom facilities are inadequate for the observed and expected visitation rates. Bowery Haven marina uses rented port-a-potties. The existing marina facilities at Fish Lake (Lakeside, Lodge, and Bowery Haven) are not able to meet current demand based on number of visitors and size of boats. The facilities are in poor condition, and present safety hazards for those who use them. The purpose of the project is to increase the capacity of the marinas to meet current and projected future demand and improve safety of the facilities. There is still a need to find funding above what is already committed to complete features that are basic necessities and of highest priority. We are asking BRF and Habitat Council to help fund a portion of the project.

Renovate, expand and upgrade three marinas. Increase and improve public use of facilities. Make facilities safer.

Less public use of the lake. Boats are damaged. Reduced recreational opportunities.

Meets goals and objectives in Fish Lake Fishery Management Plan, 2014, by increasing angling opportunities. Satisfies DWR Resource goal of meeting management plan objectives and expand quality fishing and hunting opportunities. Satisfies DWR Constituency goal to achieve broad-based support for division programs and budgets by demonstrating the value of wildlife to all citizens of Utah; and expand programs to recruit and retain young hunters, anglers and wildlife watchers. Meets recreational goals in the Fishlake National Forest Plan to improve and expand recreation facilities and opportunities.

Not applicable

Parking areas will be regraded and roadbase added. Water drainage that currently runs through parking lots and into the lake will be rerouted into bio-swales to filter out sediments and other pollutants before flowing into the lake. This will help reduce sediment inputs and improve water quality of the lake.

The hired engineering firm is completing the EA for the Forest Service.The EA will be out for public review and comments in January 2019. Approval for the project by the District Ranger will be before May 2019.

An Engineering firm has been hired and is in the process of designing the renovation of the marinas with input from the marina owners, DWR and the Forest Service. Final plans are currently being reviewed for approval. The first phase of work will be bid out in February 2019 and we plan to begin construction in May or June 2019. Future phases of work will be determined and planned later. All work will be bid out to private contractors.

Follow-up visual inspections to be sure public and private needs are met and maintenance is being completed.

Fishlake National Forest Bowery Haven Resort Fish Lake Resorts, LLC Utah Outdoor Recreation Office Sevier County

Maintain facilities and insure public access and use of the facilities.

It will increase public use and benefit of the fishery resource.

06/01/2020

08/19/2020

2021

Harward and Rees Construction company from Loa was hired to complete the marina reconstruction, improvement and expansion project. They began work in June of 2019, worked throughout the summer and stopped work in December 2019. All planned work for the Bowery Haven and Fish Lake Lodge marinas was completed. A lot of work was completed at the Lakeside Marina, but because the Army Corp 404 permit for the marina expansion was not approved until in December, the marina work could not be completed. Ice and cold prevented the work. The Lakeside Marina expansion portion of construction work is scheduled to begin in mid September 2020 and be completed by mid November 2020. All appropriate FY20 and FY19 funds were transferred to DFCM to pay for construction work.

Work completed includes: Expanded and improved parking lots, improved water drainage, new toilets, new concrete wall at Bowery marina, dikes and rip rap repaired on marinas, sidewalks elevated. The Lakeside Marina will be expanded with new dikes, dredged, new launch ramp, and new sidewalks in fall 2020.

Bowery Haven Marina will be expanded with new dikes, boat ramp and more parking in 2021. Most funding for this phase is secured, but additional funds are needed to complete this phase. The marina owners have signed Agreements to maintain all facilities and they will remain open for public use. Additional improvements such as new boat docks are also needed in the future.