Residents urge action after volunteers find hooks and fishing line at Cameron Park Lake

Several residents told the Cameron Park Community Services District board on June 17 that volunteers are collecting large amounts of fishing line, hooks and other debris at Cameron Park Lake and urged the district to increase enforcement or education.

"We spend every day picking up," a resident said during the general public comment period, adding, "There's about 6 of us that do this every day or several times a week." She displayed samples and said the group finds hooks and tangled line frequently and has photo documentation of birds dying after becoming entangled.

Staff acknowledged the problem and said the district has installed more-visible fishing signs and plans to discuss the matter in detail at the Parks & Recreation committee. "We don't have manpower—typically they're early in the morning and late in the afternoon or evening," the staff member said, noting the district has invited Sierra Wildlife to provide education at an upcoming Summer Spectacular event.

Other residents suggested enforcement of fishing-license requirements and reopening the lake concession stand to provide more "eyes and ears" on the park. Roberta Bailey, who identified herself as a Cameron Park resident, told the board the concession stand's closure has coincided with more litter and fewer people monitoring park activity.

The board did not commit to immediate enforcement actions during the meeting, but staff said it would bring the topic back to the Parks & Recreation committee and follow up with more detailed options at the July meeting.