Topline:
A proposal to build housing along the north shore of Big Bear Lake is moving forward, despite some community concerns it could harm rare plants and wildlife in the area, including the bald eagles who nest less than a mile away.
Why now: The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Tuesday to approve the Moon Camp project’s tentative tract map and environmental impact report.
The backstory: Moon Camp’s design was first drafted decades ago, but since then, the project has faced harsh criticism and legal challenges from environmental organizations, including Friends of Big Bear Valley, which runs a popular YouTube livestream of a bald eagle nest overlooking the lake. Spectators watch as the resident eagle couple, named Jackie and Shadow, lay eggs and care for any eaglets that hatch each year.
Why it matters: On Tuesday, about a half-dozen people spoke against the project, including Sandy Steers, the executive director of Friends of Big Bear Valley, who said she was representing the organization’s more than 2.5 million online followers and 17,000 members.
“ I urge you to, for once, support the environment that actually brings the tourists and funds both Big Bear Valley and county of San Bernardino,” Steers said during the meeting. “I ask you to pay attention to the wildlife, species, and environment that really count.”
What's next: The more than 62-acre Moon Camp project would include 50 lots for custom homes and a marina with 55 boat slips in the unincorporated community of Fawnskin, according to county documents.