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The Big Bear Grizzly just published an article regarding visitors illegally driving and parking along the lake (see below). The majority of the article discusses the Stanfield Marsh area which is at the east end of Big Bear Lake (Bakers Pond). The MWD has designated this 145 acre area as a wildlife preserve which means no boating, no float tubes, canoes or kayaks…for locals it’s common knowledge that it’s the non recreational portion of the lake but obviously there needs to be more awareness so everyone’s on the same page. I suggest more signage so visitors from out of town are aware of what the MWD’s plan is for this area.
Tracking down MWD violators
(by Kathy Portie of The Big Bear Grizzly 3/11/2009)
Ominous tracks are left in the mud along the Stanfield Marsh shoreline near Division Drive. But these aren’t cougar or bear tracks.
These tracks are distinctly human-made.
“About three weeks ago we cited someone here,” said Big Bear Municipal Water District’s Travis Carroll. Carroll is the guy in charge of MWD Lake Patrol. He’s tired of issuing citations to people driving out to the water’s edge at Stanfield Marsh.
“This area is a pretty sensitive habitat area,” Carroll said. That’s why it is illegal to drive or park below the high water line of the lake. The MWD placed rocks along the northern shore at Stanfield last winter to discourage joyriders. Now the culprits are cutting across the south shore toward Division Drive from a turn-in off Big Bear Boulevard.
It’s legal to park in the turn-in area, Carroll said, but not to drive or park below the high water mark. “Just imagine the lake when it’s full and stay out of that area when the lake is low,” Carroll said.
The MWD or San Bernardino County Sheriff’s deputies can issue citations for the infraction. Citizens on Patrol also keeps an eye out for infractions. COP can issue parking citations, but not moving citations, said COP volunteer Carol Pinkerton. “If somebody’s out there on the ice or where they’re not supposed to be, we can give them a warning,” Pinkerton said. “If they don’t move, we will call a deputy to deal with it.”
Fines range between $150 and $300. That does not include the cost of the tow truck needed to rescue the car or truck from the muck. “This material is very unusual. It’s like quicksand. A car gets stuck in it and it will sink very fast,” Carroll said.
Kayaks and canoes found in Stanfield Marsh are also cited for violation. No boating is allowed in that portion of the lake. “We also have a problem with people trying to launch their boats in undesignated spots,” Carroll said, pointing to Stanfield Cutoff as a common spot for violators. “They are not only violating the rule to launch at designated spots, they are also not getting their boats inspected for quagga mussels. That’s two violations.”
Carroll urges the public to help the MWD protect the lake and Stanfield Marsh areas. When people drive their vehicles below the high water mark, they are destroying habitat, he said.
The ruts found at Stanfield Marsh on this day show the culprits are likely out for a joyride. A wide circle of tire tracks can be seen on the southern edge of the shoreline just north of the Big Bear Convention Center. Those ruts will remain in the landscape until the water covers them. “As the lake fills up, the water will erode those ruts,” Carroll said.
But until that day comes, those ominous tracks in Stanfield Marsh will mar the natural beauty of the landscape. Carroll hopes the tracks will also sound a warning to others who may think about venturing out there in their cars.
Citizens who notice a vehicle illegally driving below the high water mark at Stanfield Marsh can report the violation to the MWD at 909-866-5796 or the Big Bear Sheriff’s Department at 909-866-0100.
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