Boating Season on Big Bear Lake Launches April 1st

Big Bear Lake, CA — April 1st marks the official launch of boating season on Big Bear Lake, and the Big Bear Municipal Water District will re-open both the boat launch ramps on the North Shore, which have been closed over the winter months in order to serve as an American Bald Eagle habitat area. As of Thursday, the Carol Morrison East Boat Launch Ramp (just west of Stanfield Cutoff) will be open from 6am to 6pm seven days a week, with hours to be extended later in the season; the Duane Boyer West Boat Launch Ramp (just west of Fawnskin) will be open from 6am to 2pm in the month of April. All vessels on the lake will need to have a permit, available from the MWD offices on Lakeview Drive, the launch ramps and marinas on Big Bear Lake. Per Lake Supervisor Travis Carroll, any vessel with a motor will be charged $90 for a seasonal permit, whereas the cost for a non-registered vessel, which includes non-motorized boats such as kayaks, canoes and rowboats, as well as float tubes and sailboards, is $45 per season. “One thing we did change with those,” adds Carroll, “is that the price has been reduced, per our Board of Directors, from $25 to $15 for a one-day use pass.” This year, non-registered vessels, like all other boats, will need to have a Quagga Mussel inspection prior to launch; free inspections are available where lake permits can be purchased. Explains Carroll, “We want to have a face-to-face with everyone at least one time.” Another change in this boating season is that, per the state’s Department of Boating and Waterways, children under age 13 must wear a life jacket when on a boat or vessel that is 26 feet or less in length, and every person on board a jet ski is also required to wear a life jacket. “Just remember to boat safely,” reminds Carroll, “and know that the water temperatures are still extremely cold. Lake Patrol is still on limited hours through the month of April, meaning only on the weekends. For emergencies, always remember to call 911 and the MWD at 866-5796.”
In other news from the MWD, their Board of Directors convene on Thursday, April 1 at 1pm, during which time they will vote on adoption of updated ordinances pertaining to commercial operations on the lake.

Municipal Water District to Adopt Non-Marina Kayak Rental Policy and Re-Address Old Gas Leak

Big Bear Lake, CA — The Big Bear Municipal Water District has been addressing the issue of non-marina kayak rentals for use on Big Bear Lake for many months now. Commercial marina operators first brought the issue before the MWD, which then culled public input at a workshop in October. Since that time, the MWD’s Operations Committee, made up of MWD Directors Skip Suhay and Vince Smith, have reviewed marina contracts and public input, as well as consulting attorneys, to determine a fair method of allowing for vessel rental businesses while also honoring existing contracts and yet carrying out the MWD’s responsibility to provide the public with easy access to Big Bear Lake and attendant amenities. Per the Operations Committee’s findings, MWD General Manager Scott Heule explains, “The district has no ability to regulate businesses over the high water line of the lake. But once these rental businesses cross the high water line or enter district property, then there will be requirements, either for a concession permit or they’ll need to collaborate with a licensed commercial marina.” At the MWD Board of Directors meeting on February 18, there was public comment both for and against the proposed recommendation and, Heule concedes, marina owners were not in favor of the proposal. However, the MWD Board, now overseen by President Paula Fashempour, accepted the recommendation that will, essentially, allow for vessel rentals from non-marina businesses though, if these operations include launching or training rental customers on Big Bear Lake, a permit will need to be secured from the MWD unless these rental businesses partner with a licensed marina. Heule adds, “Amendments to resolutions will need to be voted on, which we’re hoping will be at our March 4 meeting, because the boat ramps open on April 1.”
In other news from Thursday’s MWD meeting, the Board authorized additional engineering work to address an old gas leak under the Big Bear Marina parking lot; this gas contamination, from an underground fuel tank line, pre-dates both the marina and the MWD’s ownership of the property on Lakeview Drive. “There’s no indication that it has seeped into the lake,” notes Heule, “however, we will be doing some soil sampling in the marina in the next six to eight weeks.” The $6,000 in engineering preparation for the groundwater remediation trench, to be reimbursed by the state’s Leaking Underground Storage Tank Fund, is at the direction of the Regional Water Quality Control Board as earlier methods of mitigation proved ineffective. Adds Heule, “Rather than literally digging up thousands of cubic yards of soil to mitigate the issue, we will try this one last method.”

Municipal Water District Reminds: Do Not Walk on Boat Docks or Lake Ice

Big Bear Lake, CA — With an abundance of snow this season, the Big Bear Municipal Water District, the agency that oversees the lake, has noticed more than usual snow load on boat docks this winter. Given the extra weight on these floating structures, the MWD notes that extra caution should be exercised; dock owners and visitors need to refrain from walking on any dock. According to Lake Operations Supervisor Travis Carroll, “Extra body weight could potentially sink the dock, causing you to end up in the lake. The snow and ice on docks makes for a very unstable platform that could potentially cause a slip or fall off the dock as well.” In addition to staying off of docks, it is illegal to venture out on to the lake ice, which could result in fines up to $500 for violators. Carroll also tells KBHR, “Snow along the edge of the lake can be very deceiving in terms of where the water actually starts.” Be sure not to risk falling into the water of Big Bear Lake (whether from a dock or the lakeshore) as it could result in hypothermia as, at present, lake temperatures are hovering near 30 degrees.

Paula Fashempour Assumes MWD Presidency, Making Her First Woman to Do So in District’s 45-Year History

The Big Bear Municipal Water District’s appointment of Division 2 Director Paula Fashempour as president is history-making as, per General Manager Scott Heule, “She is the first woman to be president for the district in 45 years, which is an exciting thing. Paula will bring a unique perspective to the presidency, as would any new president.” Though Fashempour is the MWD’s first female president, she is not the first female director to serve on the board that also includes Vice President Skip Suhay, John Eminger, Vince Smith and Todd Murphy; and, in fact, prior to Heule’s appointment as GM in 2007, 21-year MWD employee Sheila Hamilton had been general manager of the agency which oversees the lake.
Heule tells KBHR that the January 7 board reorganization meeting was upbeat, and also included some fee modifications for the 2010 boating season. Among those changes, the daily use fee for non-motorized vessels, including sailboats under 8’, has been reduced to $15 (which includes the $5 Quagga Protection Surcharge, first imposed by the district in 2009, to recover costs associated with keeping the invasive Quagga Mussel from infecting Big Bear Lake). Though the daily use fee for Big Bear Lake has been reduced, the district moved to increase the permit fees for film production, from $150 to $170, and still photography permits, noting that this is consistent with fees charged by the City of Big Bear Lake; a utility fee, of less than $3 per day, is also being implemented at the MWD’s RV park (just west of their offices) which, per Heule, should help the MWD recover about $10,000 annually.
And as, during this season of board reorganizations, we have outlined benefits for those serving in elected positions: MWD Directors receive $140.70 per meeting (not to exceed six in a month), as well as medical and dental benefits and, like City Councilmembers, a life insurance policy.

Reminder: It Is Illegal and Unsafe to Go Out on the Lake Ice

It is not only unsafe, but illegal to go out on to the lake ice. The ice on Big Bear Lake never gets strong enough or thick enough to safely support those who walk on it and, should you or your pet fall through the ice, hypothermia is a real threat as the lake temperature is in the low 30s this week. If found out on the lake ice, you could be ticketed by either Lake Patrol of the Big Bear Municipal Water District or Big Bear Sheriff’s Station deputies, resulting in fines up to $500; local Citizens on Patrol volunteers will also be patrolling for violators. So, please don’t jeopardize your safety, or that of rescue personnel, by venturing out on to the ice on Big Bear Lake or Baker Pond. In the case of emergency, please call 911 and, if you see others on the ice, please warn them of the dangers.

MWD Extends Dock Length Allowance for Eagle Point Area; Test Policy in Place for 2010

Those with boat docks in the Eagle Point area will be given opportunity to extend those boat docks in the coming year, given Municipal Water District Board approval for the new test policy in their meeting on Thursday. At present, all Big Bear Lake dock lengths are to be within the 70 foot regulation, though for calendar year 2010, MWD will allow lakeshore docks, from Swim Beach east to Eagle Point Estates, to extend to 125 feet, with an additional 50% cost on top of the existing annual fee of $310. Per Lake Manager Mike Stephenson, if two neighboring docks extend to 200 feet, which will be allowable in the test policy area in 2010, each dock owner will be charged the $310 annual fee, without the additional cost for single docks extending beyond the standard 70 feet; three neighboring docks sharing a gangway will be allowed up to 300 feet, if not into navigable water, which will be determined by MWD staff. In other news from the MWD meeting of December 17, the MWD Board of Directors, under the direction of President Todd Murphy, also agreed to an $8,000 expenditure, to be taken from the Lake Improvement fund, to provide 50% of matching costs for bear-proof trash cans along the North Shore. The other portion of funds will be provided by the U.S. Forest Service, through a grant, in order to place these 11 bear-proof receptacles on the Forest Service land utilized by MWD for public launch ramps and lake parking. Though the Forest Service will install the new trash cans, as part of the agreement allowing parking at the ramps (without the requirement of an Adventure Pass), the MWD staff perform trash service on the North Shore.

It’s Just a Drill: Big Bear City Firefighters Do Ice Rescue Training Off Stanfield Cutoff Today

The Big Bear City Fire Department will be training on ice and cold-water rescue in the area of Stanfield Cutoff today; training was scheduled to begin at 9am and will continue through the day. Passers-by are reminded that this is just a drill if you see emergency personnel doing rescue operations on the lake ice. Per a statement released by the Big Bear City Fire Department: “Fire crews train on a regular basis for the possible scenario of someone that has fallen through the ice. The Municipal Water District’s Lake Patrol will also be on scene to watch the operations. ‘Stay Off Lake Ice’ signs are posted all around the lakeshore warning people of the danger. Anyone observed walking on lake ice is subject to a fine.  Rescuing individuals or animals that have fallen through the ice is very risky business for both the victim and rescuer. Everyone is reminded to ‘Stay Off Lake Ice’ and keep their pets away from the danger as well. Even though fire crews are fully trained and prepared to respond, does not mean we want to have to put their expertise to use.” But, again, if you see emergency personnel on the lake ice near Stanfield Cutoff today, know that this is just a training drill being undertaken by the Big Bear City Fire Department.

Volunteers Remove 718 Pounds of Trash from Lake’s Shoreline in 10th Annual CleanUp Day

From the Mexico border to Oregon, the 25th annual California Coastal CleanUp included, statewide, nearly 70,000 volunteers on Saturday. In the Big Bear Valley, the September 19 effort was the 10th annual cleanup day for Big Bear Lake’s shoreline. Local event coordinator Alan Sharp of Big Bear Marina says that there was a smaller than usual volunteer turnout this year, though 174 volunteers did contribute to the effort, and removed 718 pounds of trash and 147 pounds of recyclable material from 12 miles of the lake’s shoreline. This year’s largest volunteer group was from Ontario, California—88 seventh and eighth grade students from Ray Wiltsey Middle School came to Big Bear to pick up trash all morning, before enjoying lunch at the park. According to the California Coastal Commission, data suggests that 60 to 80 percent of debris on beaches and shorelines comes from inland sources, traveling through storm drains or creeks; that said, the Commission asks all Californians to take responsibility for making sure trash goes where it belongs, in a trash can, recycling bin, or hazardous waste dump when appropriate.

Boaters Reminded to Abstain from Alcohol and Wear a Life Jacket; Free Fishing on Big Bear Lake for Labor Day Holiday

The Labor Day holiday should be a great day for boating, with a forecast for sunny skies and water temperatures for Big Bear Lake averaging 68 degrees. However, before boaters hit the water, the State Department of Boating and Waterways Director Raymond Tsuneyoshi reminds, “It is important that boaters maintain a proper lookout, abstain from alcohol, and wear a life jacket.” In fact, there should be a personal flotation device, or life jacket, for each person on board, and all children age 12 and under must be wearing a PFD at all times when boating; U.S. Coast Guard statistics indicate that, in 2008, 90 percent of all victims in boating-related drownings were not wearing a life jacket.
Boaters are also reminded that all vessels entering Big Bear Lake, including kayaks and float tubes, must be clean, drained and dry before launch, to ensure that the invasive Quagga Mussel does not infect the lake. Department of Fish and Game Director Donald Koch notes, “Quagga mussels are a serious threat to our aquatic environment and fisheries. It’s crucial that everyone who uses public waters takes the time to make sure they’re not transporting these mussels. It only takes a few mussels to contaminate an entire waterway and destroy fisheries.”
And in fun news from the DFG, in conjunction with the Big Bear Municipal Water District, this Monday’s Labor Day holiday is a free fishing day on Big Bear Lake, so no fishing license will be required. For more info on fishing on Big Bear Lake, tune in to Fowler’s Fish Tales, which airs daily here on KBHR 93.3 FM at 8:45am and 4:45pm.

Volunteers Welcomed for Shoreline Cleanup Day Along Big Bear Lake on September 19

On Saturday, September 19, the California Coastal Commission celebrates the 25th anniversary of Coastal Cleanup Day and, here in Big Bear, volunteers are needed to participate in the 10th annual Shoreline Cleanup Day. Last year, Big Bear volunteers showed up in record numbers—532, to be exact—to remove 1,540 pounds of trash from Big Bear Lake’s 16 miles of shoreline, prompting event organizer Alan Sharp to say, “The birds, fish and mammals that make Big Bear Lake their home thank all who participated.” Our local shoreline cleanup, in less than three weeks, will take place from 9am to noon on the 19th. Those who would like to contribute to the effort and/or be a volunteer cleanup leader for their group, church or school are asked to call Alan Sharp at Big Bear Marina at 866-3218.

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