The article below, written by Kathy Portie of the Big Bear Grizzly, is a good example of what our local MWD does to help keep Big Bear Lake safe. Yes they oversee the dock situation and make sure everyone is in compliance with the rules and regulations…..but they also ensure that the quality of our lake is safe for everyone to enjoy.
Published: Wednesday, November 18, 2009
FEDERAL MONEY SLATED FOR STUDY
An Army Corps of Engineers study on Big Bear Lake is back on track following the passage of the latest appropriations bill by Congress.
The agency will receive $577,000 to complete a feasibility study that has been in progress for eight years, according to Scott Heule, Big Bear Municipal Water District general manager. MWD representatives went to Washington, D.C., in March to ask for funds to complete the project.
“The Army Corps of Engineers cannot ask for appropriations for studies,” Heule said. “So when we went to D.C., we lobbied on behalf of the project.”
Heule asked for $800,000 to complete the study, which will be used to develop a number of smaller projects to improve the ecosystem around the lake. Such projects could include eradication of invasive shoreline plants to improve the water habitat, Heule said. “It also targets dredging projects and maybe things like creating lake islands for water fowl habitat,” Heule said. “There is a whole range of potentially beneficial projects that can come out of the study.”
The study was put on hold in 2008 when no funding was appropriated for the project. “The last thing we did on this was a baseline condition report,” said Eldon Kraft, Army Corps of Engineers project manager. “We documented current conditions and anticipated future conditions of the lake.”
Kraft said the new funding will help his agency develop alternatives to include in the study’s first draft. “We will be able to wrap up details of design and cost estimates related to habitat benefits,” Kraft said. “We think we will be able to get the first report done and hold the review process early in the summer.”
Heule said the study is necessary to seek federal funding for future lake habitat improvement projects. “It’s a pretty complicated process,” Heule said. “We learned that this funding will get us pretty close to where we need to be.”
Kraft said the funding is a good start, but more money will be needed to complete the study. An environmental impact study is required once the first draft is complete. “We’re probably at a point where next year we will be able to receive sufficient funding to complete the study,” Kraft said.
Heule said the lack of funding for the study in 2008 made it crucial for the MWD to go to Washington, D.C., earlier this year. “It’s another reason why you can’t lobby Washington from Big Bear,” Heule said. “If you don’t go back there, you may not get the money.”
