Jamestown, CA — The CAO of Tuolumne County is weighing in after the concessionaire of the Lake Tulloch Campground and Marina has announced it is ceasing operations, effective immediately.
Click here to view the earlier story, which cited, “conditions beyond their control, making ongoing safe and financially sustainable operations impossible.”
CAO Roger Root says his office received notification of the concessionaire’s intent through press inquiries late last week (Central Sierra Broadcasting is one of those who reached out).
Providing some context, Root notes that Tuolumne County had entered a 30-year lease with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife in 1993 to oversee the property on the shores of Lake Tulloch (Tuolumne County side), as it provides both recreational and economic benefits for local residents. The lease required the county to maintain the premises, make regular improvements, and provide public access to the lake. The county chose to engage a concessionaire to manage the campgrounds and marina throughout the duration of the lease with the state.
The 30-year-lease period expired in 2023, and negotiations related to renewing another long-term agreement with the state are still ongoing, and have been slowed by recent changes in leadership, and the Golden Mussel invasion in California. A concessionaire has continued to maintain and operate the grounds.
CAO Roger Root says in a statement, “Tuolumne County is a recreation destination and resolving the issues on South Shore Lake Tulloch is a priority for County staff. Tuolumne County recognizes that this closure has potential for recreational and economic impacts on the County. We are continuing to work with the Department of Fish and Wildlife in partnership to resolve the lease issue and minimize impact on recreation services. The County will pursue opportunities for concessionaire services as soon as the state lease is resolved and open the Lake Tulloch Campground and Marina as quickly as possible.”
