Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
Big Bear housing project proposal moves forward despite concerns from bald eagle fans
Sunny and Gizmo in Big Bear's famous bald eagle nest, less than a mile away from a proposed housing project.
(
Friends of Big Bear Valley
/
YouTube
)
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.
Support for LAist comes from
Listen
• 0:45
Big Bear housing project proposal moves forward despite concerns from bald eagle fans
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.
Sandy Steers, executive director of Friends of Big Bear Valley, spoke against the Moon Camp project during the the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors meeting.
(
County of San Bernardino
/
YouTube
)
“ 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.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The critical findings are part of long-awaited after-action report was released Thursday. It contains recommendations for increasing emergency staffing and updating old systems. -
Diving has changed, mountain biking has been added. Here's where to watch the Olympics in person in 2028. -
'A Great Day in the Stoke' is a free, daylong event in Orange County billed as 'the largest gathering of Black surfers in history.' The fourth annual festival is set for Saturday in Huntington Beach. -
Kimmel returned less than a week after ABC suspended his show over comments he made about the assassination of right wing activist Charlie Kirk. -
Southern California might see some light rain tonight into Wednesday morning. After that, cooler weather is on the way, but expect the humidity to remain. -
A gate tax at Disney? It's a possibility.
Best of LAist