OP-ED: Watershed Protection, Whose Job is it?

The following Letter to the Editor was submitted for publication by Lake Elsinore Councilman Robert Magee:

One of the unfortunate side effects of our recent rains has been the flushing out of our tributaries and waterways with trash, debris and human waste which have been allowed to accumulate by the very Agency tasked with protecting our natural areas: The California Department of Fish and Wildlife!

As News Crews & Public Works personnel descended on to Orange & LA County beaches to report on & remove tons of trash, needles, tents, mattresses & sleeping bags from the front yards of affluent beach residents, strangely absent is the conversation about how and why these items got there and who is ultimately responsible. But the Taxpayer funded clean up must be accomplished ASAP!

Last month, the Western Riverside Council of Governments (WRCOG) held a Conference entitled: Solving the Homeless in the Watershed. Absent from the conversation was the California Department of Fish & Wildlife. For those of us that enjoy the outdoors and our natural spaces we want them protected. When we register our off road vehicles (Green Stickers) a portion of that money should be going to enforcement to protect against illegal degradation of our wild areas. When we purchase our Fishing Licenses, we expect that those using the waterways must do so legally or be subject to a penalty.

Almost three years ago, with the help of Senator Stone we convened a meeting with 5 members of the Department of Fish & Wildlife. I shared with them drone footage of the water rising in Lake Elsinore and then receding with the trash, debris and human waste from the Urban Outdoorsmen all leaking out into our lake. I asked for their help to protect our natural resource. Their reply: “We don’t engage the Homeless.”

If I as a private property owner remove a tree from my backyard -- without the benefit of a permit -- that might provide habitat for an endangered bird species I am subject to fines and penalties that could include incarceration. But if a Homeless vagrant (i.e. Urban Outdoorsman) comes into my yard, he can cut down the same tree, chop it up for fire wood, light it on fire (even on SCAQMD No-Burn Days) and I have to clean up the mess!

Something is very wrong with this picture, we have an Enforcement Agency that refuses to enforce the laws upon the segment of our society that is arguable the most destructive to our natural areas. If you want to help the Homeless let’s start by teaching them how to use a trash can! On Saturday, February 23 Lake Elsinore residents will descend on to our shoreline as part of a grassroots effort to clear away the debris that has washed into our Lake. Aided by City staff we will make a difference and perhaps we will be teaching the next generation to keep our Natural spaces clean.

Last month while on routine patrol for Illegal Homeless Encampments a City Code Enforcement Officer spotted a Bald Eagle on our levy. If he could talk I’ll bet he’d ask that those tasked with protecting him actually did so.

Robert “Bob” Magee
Lake Elsinore City Councilman