Southwest Shore Administration

Although our Southwest Shore Colony is primarily a quiet, relaxed community of cabin owners and families on the southwest shore of Big Bear Lake, behind that serenity there are active groups and organizations working on our behalf to insure that we can continue to enjoy our cabins and our community without undue regulations and interference from local or national authorities.

The continued existence of our cabins, and our rights and obligations as cabin owners, are determined at the national level by the USDA-Forest Service, as prescribed by the Recreation Residence Program (RRP). This RRP is administered on a national, regional, and local level by Forest Service Rangers and Staff . As cabin owners, we must constantly be vigilant about proposed or actual changes made to the Recreation Residence Program, either legislatively, administratively, or behaviorally through local interpretation. Follow this link to read more about the USDA-Forest Service and the Recreation Residence Program.

To be vigilant as well as proactive about monitoring and influencing USDA-Forest Service actions and intentions, the 13,000+ Forest Service cabin owners, like us at the Southwest Shore, have formed or joined local, regional, and national groups that share common goals and objectives. Our Southwest Shore Colony owners actively participate in the following groups:

  • Southwest Shore Association (SWSA)
    Informal association of SWS cabin owners to promote cooperation and camaraderie among owners, to protect our forest surroundings, and to preserve the privilege of owning a FS Recreation Residence cabin.

  • San Bernardino National Forest Cabin Coalition (SBNFCC)
    An organization representing Big Bear regional owners of FS Recreation Residence cabins, with the purpose of resolving common interests of cabin owners, and facilitating communication with Forest Service staff and representatives.

  • National Forest Homeowners (NFH)
    NFH is a member-directed organization representing the 13,000+ nationwide owners of FS Recreation Residence cabins. NFH provides leadership, member information, communication with USDA-FS personnel, and advocacy for continuation of all Recreation Residence cabins.

Follow the above links for a further description of how each of these groups are supporting our local SWS Colony cabin owners and families.