Greenspot testing starts, grant on hold as wastewater board meets Oct. 28

The Big Bear Area Regional Wastewater Agency begins geotechnical testing around Oct. 22 at the proposed Greenspot Recharge Project site in Erwin Lake, ahead of its Wednesday, Oct. 28 board meeting at 5 p.m. at 121 Palomino Drive in Big Bear City.^[1][2] The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation has paused reimbursements on one grant while the project's revised scope is reviewed, and auditors gave the agency's books a clean opinion. For ratepayers in Big Bear Lake, Big Bear City and CSA 53B, the meeting shows where roughly $8.2 million in project spending stands.^[2]

What the testing involves

Engineers will work at up to 13 locations over about a week, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The plan calls for eight shallow excavations, each roughly 5 to 10 feet deep, and five 8-inch soil borings drilled up to 50 feet deep. All are filled the same day.^[1]

The agency says the work "is not construction of the project. It is part of the project's design process," and that the board "has not approved funding and construction of the project, so no construction can begin."^[1] According to the agenda packet, the results will help determine the size and location of recharge basins. The agency says it posted four signs at the site's corners and sent a press release to local organizations.^[2]

Money and the grant pause

The Greenspot project has cost $8,218,974 as of Aug. 31, 2026. Of that, $1,081,449 was spent after an April 2026 scope change. No construction costs have been incurred.^[2]

The agency's grant awards total $26,942,993, and $5,903,596 has been reimbursed. None of that covers work since the scope change.^[2] Because of the revised scope, the Bureau of Reclamation "has temporarily suspended reimbursements pending approval of an amendment" to the Title XVI grant.^[2] The packet excerpt reviewed does not explain why the scope changed.

Audit and other items

Auditors identified in the packet as RAMS issued an unmodified opinion on the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2026, finding the statements fairly present the agency's finances.^[2] The auditors noted no uncorrected misstatements.^[2]

The board will also consider a new Administrative Assistant position funded with $37,500 from contingency, and moving $16,353 from the capital budget to a boardroom camera project. It will weigh disposing of a 2004 Toyota Tundra and a resolution thanking Director Rick Herrick for his service.^[2]

The general manager's report says BBARWA has been granted party status in a state Public Utilities Commission rulemaking that Bear Valley Electric Service staff say would unwind existing net energy metering contracts. The agency has filed comments to protect its ratepayers.^[2]

What's next

The November and December regular meetings will be adjourned, with a special meeting possible in December.^[2] The agenda allows three minutes of public comment per speaker on each agenda item. The agency's number is (909) 584-4018.^[2]