New Forest Service Special Uses Handbook Supplement

Another Forest Service document -- why should you care? To paraphrase a popular slogan, "FS documents matter," but this one may actually matter more than most. The Forest Service Handbook (FSH), and specifically Chapter 40 of that document, details the policies and guidelines that govern the construction, maintenance, and use of recreation residences on National Forest lands, administered by the Forest Service. In short, the FSH governs our cabins in the Southwest Shore. Therefore, it is important that we know what it says! Follow this link to look at the document as you continuing reading this post.

Effective July 1, 2016, the new FSH Supplement clarifies or implements a number of important changes. Roy Glauthier, past president of NFH and frequent at our Annual Meetings, has identified the following items as among the most important changes:

• Abandonment [41.23.3.b] Allows abandoned cabins and improvements that become property of the United States to be “sold, destroyed or otherwise disposed of.” This provides clear authority for sale or auction of abandoned cabins.
• Achieving Compliance with Building Requirements [41.23e.3] This paragraph recognizes that cabins may not comply with the described requirements for appearance and structure, but specifies that they should be brought into compliance only when “…opportunities develop during replacement, maintenance or reconstruction affecting the noncompliant issue,…”
• Seasonal removal of boats and storage of kayaks and canoes [41.23f.6] New language removes requirement for seasonal removal of boats, and allows kayaks, canoes, and other non-motorized recreational equipment to be stored in or under permitted structures.
• Cabin size [41.23g.2.b] Limits square footage of new or reconstructed cabins to a maximum of 1,400 square feet, which may be limited by factors such as environmental, visual, and historic resources. “Reduction in size of existing authorized cabins is not required prior to permit issuance.”
• Height [41.23g.2.c] On reasonably level lots, cabins shall be no more than 26 feet from the ground to the peak, or the limit in county ordinances, whichever is less. Additional language in this section is intended to simplify what has been a confusing requirement.
• Decks, Porches and Patios [41.23g.2.d] This section clarifies allowable deck size. Importantly, new language specifies that historic value must be considered before changes are made to previously authorized decks/porches/patios.
• Garages [41.23g.2.f] Previously authorized detached garages shall be continued except for specific situations.

Please note that the above excerpts are only a small portion of the complete update. Read the new FSH Supplement carefully, taking special notice of items that pertain to your specific cabin situation.

About Them Bears...

As you have probably heard, there has been at least one black bear (they actually may be red, brown or black in color) foraging around our cabins this summer, and the drought may attract others from the high country down to the lake. The recent bear representative visiting the area is probably a juvenile (only about 150-170 lbs), who has not yet established a territory.  Our quick research reveals the following information:

The San Bernardino Mountains were California grizzly bear territory until that species was exterminated by man in the early 1900's. Black bears were first introduced to these mountains in the 1930's when "problem bears" from Yosemite Park were relocated here. There is now a stable, permanent population of descendants of those Yosemite bears, living in the forests of Big Bear. These bears become quite large (500 lbs.), are a protected species, have great predatory powers and speed, and like to eat meat as well as plants -- but they do not, we are pleased to report, hunt human prey or normally pose a threat to humans. Very shy of humans, they enter settled areas to find garbage and other food that they associate with human habitation. They can be very dangerous, however, particularly in the following circumstances:

• If the bear loses its natural shyness by too much human contact and by being fed by humans, it is likely to associate cabins with food, and may break into cabins or otherwise become aggressive with humans. This human-induced bear misbehavior will result in Fish and Game wardens eventually killing the nuisance bear to protect the offending humans – an unfair but common result;
• If the bear, based on its extraordinarily keen sense of smell (which can extend for miles), mistakes you for prepared food because of food odors on you or your clothing (e.g., some campers have been mauled while sleeping outside after handling food and/or wearing clothing which was worn while cooking);
• If the bear and your dog have a hostile confrontation, the bear easily may kill the dog, or may chase the dog, and the dog may thus lead the angry bear back to your cabin, at which time your animal-management skills will be severely tested. Best not to permit your dog to wander;
• If the bear is surprised or scared by your unexpected presence, particularly if it feels cornered. You should make noises when you are hiking, so that bears can avoid you;
• If a mother bear thinks that you may be bothering her cub in any way, or coming between her and her cub, she will become aroused and aggressive. Young bears, cute as they may be, therefore pose a special danger to humans and are to be avoided, because there is usually a cranky and protective mother bear nearby; and
• If, upon encountering a bear, you make sudden movements or turn and run, you may trigger an aggressive “chase” response by the bear. If possible, back away slowly, at the same time taking care not to come nearer to a cub or between a bear and its cub. Depending on the circumstances, making loud noises such as clanging metal plates may scare off the bear.

The paramount rule for peaceful co-existence with bears is "do not to feed them in any way." Do not leave food (including bird seed) or garbage in a place where it may attract bear attention or entry. Do not throw or bury garbage outside the cabin, and do not store it outside, even in closed trash cans. And do not rely upon screen doors to deter bear entry to garbage or exposed food.

Considerations similar to the above also apply to bobcats and other large predators, who may also occasionally visit the SW Shore Colony in search of water and food.

Submitted by Dick Fisher, based on a previous Southwest Shore advisory notice dated September 10, 1996.

2016 Annual Meeting Agenda

Please join us for the 2016 Southwest Shore Annual Meeting on Saturday, July 2, 2016, at 10:00 a.m. at our usual spot on Keystone Point. Please bring your own chairs, hats, sun screen, and beverages. We will provide updates on the latest news and activities at the Southwest Shore. In particular, Betsy Curley and Laurie Large will give us the latest details on the upcoming SWS Summer Celebration on July 30. If you have questions, or would like to help with the party, this is your chance to join in. Here is the preliminary agenda of topics to be discussed at the meeting:

• Update from National Forest Homeowners (NFH) Association
• Review of current "SWS Operating Plan and Architectural Standards"
• Forest Service Approval for Cabin Improvements
• New Forest Service Personnel
• Annual Brush Removal Project
• BBMWD Lake Permit Procedures for Kayaks, Canoes, and other small craft
• Update on Emergency Services contact information
• SWS Financial Report
• Update on Summer Celebration Party

 
If you would like to refresh your memory about last year's Annual Meeting, the Minutes of the 2015 meeting are available on our SWS website. Please join us in person for this year's Annual Meeting.

Safety -- Downed Power Lines (Video)

Do you know what to do if you are near a downed power line? Last winter we had a downed power line near Keystone Point, and this spring there was another downed line across Spring Road. Watch the following video to learn how to stay safe if confronted by a downed power line.

(Note: If you want to watch in full screen, click the "YouTube" icon in the lower right corner.)

If you see a downed power line:

• Stay as far away from it as you can; do NOT touch; assume it is "live".
• Call Bear Valley Electric: (800) 808-2837 or (909) 866-4678.
• Do not drive over downed power lines.
• Stay in your car.
• If in danger, jump away from car and land with both feet together.
• Keep feet together and shuffle away to safety (at least 35 feet away).

T-Shirts Are Here!

The Summer 2016 T-shirts have arrived and they look awesome! If you don't have yours yet and you ordered one or more, please contact Steve Hammer to check on the status of your order. The 2016 T-shirt color is black. If you didn't order one, I'm afraid you are out of luck. The shirts are made-to-order only, and there are no spares for sale in the Hammer garage!

Thanks, Steve and Marti, for your usual excellent job in the design, production, and distribution of this year's Southwest Shore T-shirts and sweatshirts.

2016 Summer Celebration

Come celebrate summer with us again on the Southwest Shore. Remember how much fun we all had at the Centennial Celebration in 2012? Many of us suggested that we get together more often as a group, so we are partying again this year on July 30. Don't miss it!

For planning purposes we need a preliminary indication of how many people are coming. By June 15 (next week) please send us your Preliminary RSVP information: Cabin Number, Family Name, No. of Adults, and No. of Kids. If your plans later change, please let us know ASAP so we can update our counts for food, tables, etc. We really need your help by sending your RSVP promptly. Thanks in advance for your cooperation.

As indicated on the invitation, the cost is free for the first 5 people from each cabin. For additional adults, the cost is $20 per person. Extra kids are free!  The Summer Celebration food, drinks, and other expense is being funded by annual owner dues collected over the past several years. If you have not paid dues on a regular basis over the years, or if you are bringing extra people, please make a contribution to the "Tips and Contributions" jar on the day of the event. We are counting on everyone to help share the cost of the party equitably. Please do what is right and fair for your fellow cabin owners.

Laurie Large and Betsy Curley are once again organizing the party. They did a wonderful job on the Centennial Celebration, and we're grateful that they volunteered to do it again. If you would like to help Betsy and Laurie with this summer's celebration, please email them:  Betsy (bbcdcurley@cox.net) or Laurie (laurlarge@yahoo.com). 

Lake Permit Procedures - Update

Last year there was much confusion and frustration about how to get Lake Permits for non-registered (i.e., non-CF) water craft, such as kayaks, canoes, stand-up paddle boards, etc., because of the quagga mussel inspection requirements imposed by BBMWD. (See SWS newsletter article.) This year (2016) BBMWD has largely implemented the procedures proposed last year by SWS owner John Lengsfelder (Cabin 51). Follow this link to read the detailed 2016 Lake Permit procedures.

Forest Service Approval for Maintenance and Improvements

UPDATE on July 2, 2016: Heather Mobley is no longer the Special Uses Administrator for the Big Bear Tract. Maintenance proposals and questions should now be directed to Scott Evans (909-382-2808;  saevans@fs.fed.us)

Cabin painting

We recently asked our Forest Service Special Uses Administrator, Heather Mobley, to clarify the ongoing need to request approval from the Forest Service for any proposed maintenance and improvement activities on our recreation residence cabins. We discussed this topic a couple years ago at an Annual Meeting and in a blog post on our website. Heather responded with the following email. If you have questions, please contact Heather directly at the email or phone number shown in her email below.

---

July 20, 2015

Thank you for asking a great question.  Yes the proposal process is still in effect.  We started providing for a formal process in 2012 because of the recent reorganization of the forest and the need to streamline workload.  However, the need to receive approval for maintenance and improvement activities has always been in effect as it states in Part II, Section A & B of your permits:

II. IMPROVEMENTS

A. LIMITATIONS ON USE. This permit authorizes only occupancy of a recreation residence. Nothing in this permit gives or implies permission to build or maintain any structure or improvement or to conduct any activity, unless specifically authorized by this permit. Any use not specifically authorized by this permit must be proposed in accordance with 36 CFR 251.54. Approval of such a proposal through issuance of a new permit or permit amendment is at the sole discretion of the authorized officer. Improvements requiring specific approval shall include but are not limited to signs, fences, name plates, mailboxes, newspaper boxes, boathouses, docks, pipelines, antennas, water and sewer facilities, and storage sheds.

B. PLANS. All plans and revisions to plans for development, layout, construction, reconstruction or alteration of improvements on the authorized lot must be prepared by a licensed engineer, architect, or landscape architect, in those states in which such licensing is required, or other qualified individual acceptable to the authorized officer. These plans and revisions to these plans must be approved by the authorized officer before commencement of any work.

We haven’t sent out a letter to state as much lately, but the concept applies, we are still requiring proposals be submitted by August 31st of each year in order to be considered over the following winter and responded to by April 1st of the following year.  So if folks want to do maintenance or improvement to their permitted infrastructure, including utilities, they need to submit a completed proposal by August 31st in order to receive a Notice to Proceed by April 1st of the next year. 

Thanks,

Heather Mobley
Special Uses Permit Administrator
Forest Service
San Bernardino National Forest 
p: 909-382-2804
hmobley@fs.fed.us

P.O. Box 290 
Fawnskin, CA 92333
www.fs.fed.us