Marty, rec.gov and Inyo N.F. know about the website problems. They have had them ever since the online system started. I don't know why they can't fix the problem. At $6 per application x 10k applications (and that is just for Whitney lottery applications), you would think they could get that problem fixed!
I have suggested they offer partial refunds for cancelling permits, but they have always said that is a bigger problem than it seems. (I know, businesses do refunds all the time, so why not recreation.gov???)