FAQ

THROUGH THE OFFICE:

Customers may pay with cash, check or money order.  Payments may be mailed or paid in person.  After hours, payments may be dropped in our Payment Drop Box located outside the Water and Sanitation Division office building.

ELECTRONIC PAYMENTS:

Electronic checks may be sent through the customer's personal online banking account.  This is a separate process that the customer would need to set up through their bill pay system.  As such, a customer needs to contact their banking institution with any questions regarding this process.

CREDIT/DEBIT CARD PAYMENTS:

Credit/debit card payments are now accepted in the office.  All major credit/debit cards are accepted, with the exception of American Express.  Please note: there are no convenience charges for credit/debit transactions made in the office.

Or

Credit/debit card payments are accepted by telephone or the internet through the County's third party vendor "Official Payments Corporation." Official Payments charges a nominal convenience fee of $2.95 per transaction.  

To ensure that County Service Area (CSA) water systems meet the strict standards set by the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and the State of California Water Resources Control Board Division of Drinking Water, water samples are collected throughout the CSA water systems on a regularly scheduled basis.  These samples are then tested by an independent state-certified laboratory to verify that all standards are met.

DON’T PANIC...
Snake encounters are bound to happen on hikes. Since snakes are cold-blooded, you will often find them trying to warm up their body temperature by sunning themselves along the trail. Rattlesnakes and other snake species are a common inhabitants of the Preserve and you should stay vigilant to their presence in rocky areas or tall grass along the sides of the trail. It is also important to note that they are not usually aggressive towards humans, but will bite you if they feel threatened with no other option.

If you happen to encounter a snake, do not try to pick it up or scare it away with rocks/sticks. All animals in the Preserve are protected and an intricate part of the delicate ecosystem. It is best for your safety and that of the animal to avoid them and back away slowly before you are noticed. Snakes will often perceive movement as a threat and they may strike at you if they are surprised.

If for some reason, you get bit by a snake it is important to stay calm. If the snake is venomous not panicking could save your life by slowing the rate the poison moves through your system. Although most snakes are actually not venomous, it is important to treat each bite as though the snake was poisonous to prevent serious complications.

• Try to keep the site of injury below the heart.
• If the wound bleeds, apply direct pressure to the wound and tie a bandage loosely around and above the wound.
  • Do not try to clean the wound as this could likely cause further infection.
  • If the bandaged area feels cold or numb, the bandage is too tight
• Take the individual to the hospital as soon as possible.
  • Calling an ambulance in most cases is not necessary and will only waste time. The nearest hospital is located at:
    • San Antonio Community Hospital
      999 San Bernardino Rd.
      Upland, CA 92336
      (909)985-2811 

Dont's of snake bites!

• Do not apply ice on the snake bite.
  • It may block the circulation of blood.
• Do not try to suck the venom out of the wound.
  • This could cause unwanted infections and inflict exposure to the venom.
• Do not attempt to cut the would open.
• Do not assume a snake is non-venomous by it’s physical characteristics.
  • Seek medical attention regardless.

The Division now installs Sensus IPERL water meters that comply with the American National Standards Institute (ANSI)/American Water Works Association (AWWA) standards C700.  The Division employs certified testers and a test bench, which is tested for accuracy by the Department of Weights and Measures.  If you believe your meter is not registering accurately, contact the office to schedule a calibration test. 

The North Etiwanda Preserve is a habitat conservation site which is open to the public from sunrise to sunset for hiking purposes only. Visitors need to respect the nighttime closure so that wildlife can recover and unwind from a day of human encounters. It is also dangerous to hike at night and any violators are subject to citation.

Periodic Closures can occur if conditions within the area pose a direct threat to conservation goals or visitors. Extreme weather can pose a danger, but usually doesn't result in a closure. There can however be an accumulation of weather related events and other incidents such as the threat of fire that can trigger a somewhat temporary posted closure. Red Flag Fire Warning Days pose a significant threat to both inhabitants of the Preserve and its visitors. As a precautionary measure to the protection and well being of wildlife.  Closures can be posted to both breeding areas of endangered inhabitants and the Preserve area as a whole if human visitation results is seen to have an adverse affect on animal species populations.

Conscientious and respectful visitors will help us avoid prolonged closures and maintain a balance between conservation goals and passive human interaction with the ecosystem. Needed closures will be posted at the Preserve parking lot and noted on the website. Continue to visit this site for the latest information related to a closure.

The two story permanent schoolhouse was built in 1927. It is a standard "stick" frame building with an exterior of stones brought by horse and sled from Mill Creek.

Apple ranch owner, Joe Wilshire, donated 1.2 acres of land for the school's location, adjacent to the Wilshire Ranch. On May 13, 1927, the board called for a school bond election set for June 4th of that year. The Redlands Daily Facts reported on May 13, 1927, "It is expected that the bonds will carry without opposition for the people of the district are very much in favor of it.” Residents in the Oak Glen School District voted 12 - 0 for a $7,500 bond to build the new school. The amount may seem low, but by comparison  Model A Fords were selling for only $471.31.

The bond, needed to finance construction of the new school, was purchased by the only bidder, Elmer J. Kennedy of Los Angeles. The building, constructed with native stone, was built by H. B. Duke and his son Lee.

Holsinger's Lumber & Hardware Company of Yucaipa took the construction contract, allowing area builders to work on the school to payoff bills they owed at the hardware store.

In 1965,the schoolhouse was closed as a school for two main reasons:

1. It failed to meet the earthquake standards of the Field Act of 1965.

2. There were not enough students registered to attend school for that year.

Yes. Alumni belong to the Oak Glen Schoolhouse Museum and Park Association. Several individuals have attended reunions that have been held through the years and some still visit with their families and friends and share their memories.

Unfortunately no full time teachers are alive. Mrs. Theresa Law, who served as a substitute teacher for Mrs VanHorn, still runs her shop, Apple Tree Gifts & Country Things, located under Law's Oak Glen Coffee Shop.

The schoolhouse is usually open Saturday and Sunday 12 noon to 4pm.

September, October and November it is open Wednesday through Sunday 12 noon to 4pm .

Groups are welcome to call 909-797-1691 to make reservations for tours at their convenience.

It is closed in rain or snow.

The preserve main trail consists of a 3.3 mile loop carried out over a mixed rocky terrain, which experiences direct sun exposure with little areas of refuge along the way.  There is a ~800 ft elevation gain from the parking lot to the water gauging station at the highest point on the trail.  The trail takes about 2 hours to complete walking at an average pace. 

We strongly advise hikers to wear proper footwear and attire to protect themselves from the rocky terrain and sun exposure.  The use of strollers or other wheel-based equipment is not advised, given the difficult terrain.

No.
All plants and animals found on the Preserve are protected.  Harvesting plants and/or harming animals is a violation of the rules of the Preserve, where a fine may be given for any committed offenses.

If you witness any persons committing this offense, please contact:

San Bernardino County Sheriff Dispatch
(909)829-7311

There is one restroom located on the main trail about 2 miles from the designated starting point, near the panoramic viewing area.

There are purposefully no trash cans located on the trail or in the parking lot of the Preserve. Trash, either deposited appropriately or otherwise poses a hazard to wildlife as animals will often get into it, where it can have serious and sometimes fatal consequences.  Respectful hikers of the Preserve won't discard their trash for others to remove, but instead carry out items for proper disposal or recycling at their home.  Discarded trash left on trails can tend to attract non-native animal species that can often alter the species makeup of the Preserve and cause unintentional harm to unsuspecting animals.

Please adhere to sound conservation practices by Packing Out Belongings as we will all be better off! 

Please Pack Out any items brought to avoid accident harm to the environment.    

To report immediate crimes or suspicious behavior seen out on the preserve call:

San Bernadino County Sheriff
(909)829-7311

or

We-Tip Hotline
(800)-78-CRIME
(800)-782-7463

For any comments or concerns, contact us at:

San Bernardino County Special Districts Department
157 W. 5th Street, 2nd Floor
San Bernardino, CA 92415-0450
(909)387-5940
[email protected]

We appreciate all the help we can get to help preserve the native habitat and species of the area.  You can become a steward to the North Etiwanda Preserve by filling out our Volunteer Interest Form or contacting us at:  

San Bernardino County Special Districts Department
157 W. 5th Street, 2nd Floor
San Bernardino, CA 92415-0450
(909)387-5940
nep@specialdistricts.org

Also be on the look out for our cleanup events shown on our events calendar!