Land Exchange with S B Forest

Timber Processing Facility

   In Big Bear Vicinity

Land Exchange Bill Passes House

Washington D.C.____Representative Paul Cook (R-Apple Valley) announced Monday December 10, 2018 that his Bill HR 5513, the Big Bear Land Exchange Act, passed unanimously in the House of Representatives this afternoon.  

HR 5513 authorizes an exchange of 73 acres of federal land in the San Bernardino National Forest for 71 acres owned by the San Bernardino County located within the forest. The San Bernardino County plans to use the 73 acres to build a timber processing facility in a safe and remote site further away from Big Bear City and closer to where the trees are actually processed. Currently, trees are driven down the mountain through a winding and dangerous pass to a processing facility far away, resulting in increased congestion and multiple traffic accidents.

The land exchange would also require the relocation of a small portion of the Pacific Crest Trail. Representative Cook has worked closely with the Pacific Crest Trail Association to ensure that the relocation will occur before the land exchange and will include an environmental review.   

Paul Cook said, “I’m thrilled that the House passed the Big Bear Land Exchange this afternoon. I’ve worked closely with our local governments to ensure this land exchange is done correctly and that all the stakeholders have their concerns resolved. This will alleviate traffic and make mountain roads in the area safer. I look forward to this Bill becoming law.”