A nonprofit claims a proposed housing development, dubbed “Moon Camp,” near Big Bear Lake could be “detrimental” to endangered plants and wildlife, including popular bald eagle couple, Jackie and Shadow.
The eagles’ nest is about 145 feet up in a Jeffrey Pine tree in the San Bernardino Mountains, according to Friends of Big Bear Valley, which operates a 24-hour camera feed.
Executive Director Sandy Steers sounded the alarm on social media about the proposed Moon Camp housing project in Fawnskin, west of the eagles’ nest.
For years, Jackie and Shadow have made national headlines mostly for the couple’s failed and successful attempts to have and raise eaglets.
Sunny and Gizmo hatched in early March. Jackie and Shadow had three chicks that hatched, but one died in late March.
A nonprofit claims a proposed housing development near Big Bear Lake could be “detrimental” to endangered plants and wildlife, including popular bald eagle couple, Jackie and Shadow.
Moon Camp
The proposed 58-lot housing project would be located along North Shore Drive/State Route 38 east of Canyon Road, according to San Bernardino County officials.
The tentative tract map includes subdividing a 62.43 acre site into 58 lots, consisting of 50 numbered residential lots, eight lettered lots and a marina with 55 boat slips located north and south of North Shore Drive
The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors approved the project, which was met by litigation that included allegations of improper emergency evacuation routes and potential negative impact on endangered plant life.
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A nonprofit claims the proposed housing development ‘Moon Camp” near Big Bear Lake could be “detrimental” to endangered plants and wildlife, including popular bald eagle couple, Jackie and Shadow.
Steers said the housing project, with its lakefront parking lot and marina, will add “traffic, noise and disturbance of the eagles.”
FOBBV stated the group has already won several environmental lawsuits against the housing project in the past.
Steers said the developer has failed to fulfill pledges to protect wildlife in the past.
“A project by this same developer had a mitigation to protect eagles, including having set aside eagle perch trees,” she said. “Within a year, these lakefront owners cut down the eagle perch trees to put in a tennis court.”
A nonprofit claims a proposed housing development near Big Bear Lake could be “detrimental” to endangered plants and wildlife, including popular bald eagle couple, Jackie and Shadow.
Developer speaks out
One developer told KTLA that Moon Camp plans have been modified several times, adding that he believes the project is “environmentally sound for the area.”
Developers have also alleged that Friends of Big Bear Valley is “using the eagles” to repeatedly stall the project and others around the Big Bear Lake area, KTLA reported.
More voices
Big Bear property owner Karla Lewis told the Daily Press she “loves the eagles” and other wildlife in the mountain community, but understands that houses are needed in the area and California.
“Having 50 homes with a marina will produce less noise and traffic than the tourists that drive up here every weekend,” Lewis said. “Adding more homes won’t matter to the animals.”
Joshua Sutter jokingly asked if current Big Bear residents got written approval from “eagles, bears, racoons and deer” before building or moving to the mountain community.
Susan Rowland said she is against the Moon Camp project and any other large development that would “endanger wildlife and the ecosystem.”
The proposed development’s final environmental impact report can be read online at lus.sbcounty.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/48/Final-EIR-Moon-Camp.pdf.
The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors will host a public hearing on Tuesday, Sept. 9, to discuss the Moon Camp project.
Public comments can be made in person or online at publiccomments.cob.sbcounty.gov.
Daily Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at RDeLaCruz@VVDailyPress.com. Follow him on X @DP_ReneDeLaCruz
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This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Will popular Big Bear eagle couple be in danger due to new housing project?