Big Bear Lake Invasive Carp Removal
Summary
SCH Number
2026060597
Public Agency
Big Bear Municipal Water District
Document Title
Big Bear Lake Invasive Carp Removal
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
6/12/2026
Document Description
This project is the removal of the invasive Cyprinus carpio from Big Bear Lake to improve natural aquatic habitat and water quality throughout the reservoir. The common carp is well known for degrading water quality and destroying native aquatic habitat through it’s feeding behavior where the fish disturbs the bottom of the reservoir. The recreating public on Big Bear Lake are the primary beneficiaries of this project and downstream users of the water released from Big Bear Lake are secondary beneficiaries.
Contact Information
Name
Jared Cheek
Agency Name
Big Bear Municipal Water District
Job Title
General Manager
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency / Project Applicant / Parties Undertaking Project
Phone
Email
Location
Coordinates
Cities
Big Bear City | Fawnskin, Big Bear Lake
Counties
San Bernardino
Regions
Citywide, Southern California, Unincorporated
Cross Streets
CA HWY-18, A HWY-38, Stanfield Cutoff
Zip
92315
Total Acres
2971
Parcel #
306-171-13, 306-171-29, 304-021-40, 304-021-36, 308-231-45, 308-231-28, 308-231-24, 308-231-43
State Highways
CA HWY-18, CA HWY-38
Railways
N/A
Airports
Big Bear Airport
Schools
North Shore Elementary School, Big Bear Middle School
Waterways
Big Bear Lake, Bear Creek
Township
2N
Range
1E
Section
19
Base
SBPM
Other Location Info
This project covers the entirety of Big Bear Lake the reservoir.
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
CCR Title 14, Division 6, Chapter 3, Section 15308: Actions by Regulatory Agencies for Protection of the Environment
Reasons for Exemption
This project is categorically exempt under Class 8, Actions by Regulatory Agencies for Protection of the Environment (14 CCR §15308) as the removal of the invasive species Cyprinus carpio from Big Bear Lake will aid in the restoration of water quality in Big Bear Lake. The common carp is well-documented as an ecosystem engineer, causing damage to native aquatic habitats while also degrading water quality by disturbing lake-bottom sediments. The removal of common carp from Big Bear Lake constitutes a restoration of the environment where the regulatory process involves procedures for protection of the environment. No construction activities will take place under this project.
County Clerk
San Bernardino
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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