Residents have voiced objections that the proposed solar project on Sunfair Road, will destroy the Joshua Tree airport, the view shed and wildlife corridor. Once again, local Planning Commissioner Paul Smith was again the lone vote on the Commission against the project.

 

Three groups, including The Community for Responsible Solar, filed separate appeals. The Community for Responsible Solar (solarjt.com) represents a group of residents and business owners opposed to the industrialization of the desert’s natural and scenic setting that would compromise our quality-of-life and impact our tourism based economy. In their view: The Project has neither been adequately reviewed in accordance with CEQA and the Solar Ordinance, nor, in fact, because of its location, structure and size, and cumulative effects, could it meet the clear substantive and statutory requirements of the Solar Ordinance.

 

The Board of Supervisors has not yet calendared the date to hear this appeal. A future E-Blast will alert you it is time to send Supervisors your comments via letter and e-mail.

(For background on the Next Era solar project, see MBCA’s renewable energy page.)

In spite of Basin residents’ strong criticism, the County Planning Commission voted 4-1 to approve this project. A key objection to approval was that the project applicants should be made to conduct an Environmental Impact Report. Impacts noted included traffic, flood control, wild fires, water, tortoise and other species. Local Planning Commissioner Paul Smith was the lone vote on the Commission against the project.

 

In response to the Planning Commission approval, the group JT105 Alliance filed an appeal on April 18^th. The Board of Supervisors has not yet calendared the date to hear this appeal. The future of the project is now in the hands of the Board of Supervisors. A date for the Appeal hearing has not been announced.

(See MBCA’s Alta Mira housing project page for an overview.)

 Another widely contested project goes back to Court:

The proposed Dollar General store in Joshua Tree will come before a three-judge panel in Riverside County’s 4^th District State Court of Appeals (Division 2) on June 6, 2016. “The Oral Arguments to the Dynamic Development (and San Bernardino County) vs. Joshua Tree Downtown Business Alliance (JTDBA)” will be presented. Sometime after hearing oral arguments, the Court will issue a ruling.

 

Dynamic Development is the real estate developer for the Dollar General franchise in Joshua Tree. They are working with the County to overturn the JTDBA’s 2014 victory in “CEQA Court” (CEQA: California Environmental Quality Act) in which the San Bernardino County Superior Court Judge agreed with JTDBA that the store could put the town’s economy at risk. The Judge ordered the County to conduct an EIR (Environmental Impact Report) to determine whether Joshua Tree business and property owners would suffer economic harm from the proposed 9,100 square foot formula retail chain store.

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Bill Lembright, Lucerne Valley resident has provided substantive comments objecting to this project obtaining a Condition Use Permit and states:

 

I encourage residents of the Morongo Basin to join our Lucerne Valley neighbors and send comments to County Land Use Services with objections to the approval of Camp Rock Solar Farm. This project does not comply with the County’s Solar Ordinance. The cumulative effects of multiple solar projects in the area are another important consideration.

 

Submit comments via e-mail to John Oquendo: [email protected] 

* Applicant: Camp Rock Solar Farm LLC  /Project number: P201600176/CUP

* Assessor’s number:  0449-651-22 / Located at 7508 Camp Rock

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 Appeal denied:

Despite its name, this project is perceived by many to be a "water grab" that will harm the desert in the name of profit.  The Cadiz Project ‘is designed to capture and conserve billions of gallons of renewable native groundwater flowing beneath our property in California’s Mojave Desert that is currently being lost to evaporation and salt contamination at nearby dry lakes.’  The proponents state that the water would be recovered through seasonal rains, but a number of studies by other researchers counter that finding. MBCA sent a lengthy letter of concern to the Mojave Water Agency regarding the project. San Bernardino County enabled this project to go forward. Lawsuits were filed but dismissed in May 2014, as explained in this article.  

 

In May 2015, an appeal was filed. MBCA Director Seth Shteir reported at our May Board meeting that the appeal was unsuccessful. The next step for final project approval is resolving the railroad right-of-way issue. Because the railroad crosses BLM land, the project must be found in compliance with NEPA (National Environmental Protection Act). MBCA will keep an eye on this and let you know when and where to send a comment letter.

(For additional background on water issues, including “Cadiz”, see MBCA’s water issues page.)

Over 10,000 comments from the public were received in favor of returning the BLM Eagle Mountain property to Joshua Tree National Park (JTNP).  Very few comments were expressed in favor of “First Class Miners” rights to keep the land out of the JTNP. MBCA signed a letter in support of the BLM’s preferred alternative that would provide the greatest opportunity and flexibility over time to facilitate the return of lands to the Park as they become available.

 

The Eagle Crest Pumped Storage Project for water harvesting is currently moving forward – having received approval from FERC (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission). There are obstacles though that may prevent the project from moving ahead: 1) the Los Angeles Metropolitan Water District declined to receive water from Eagle Crest due to concerns about levels of Chromium-6 present; 2) transmission lines still need to be permitted for the project to become functional. MBCA, the Desert Protective Society and others are concerned that transmission lines would bring harmful impacts to the environment. MBCA will submit a comment letter for the forthcoming EA (Environmental Assessment) for the Eagle Crest Pump Storage Project.

(For detail and talking points on the JTNP Boundary Study, see this recent document from our friends at the National Parks Conservation Association.)

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MBCA contributed $200 to Yucca Valley High School teacher Cindy Zacks for a scholarship to a student in her ecology class who plans to pursue environmental studies. The recipient was Julia Martinez who will attend Humboldt State with a major in botany. Julia was also this year’s recipient of the Wildlands Conservancy’s annual scholarship. Congratulations Julia and best of luck in your studies!

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MBCA Board of Directors celebrated MBCA Emeritus Director Esther Herbert’s contributions this month with a luncheon at her home in 29 Palms.  Esther was on the Board of Directors for 25 years, and served as Secretary for 18 years!

 

Founding & Emeritus Director Susan Lucky Reilly recorded the history of MBCA’s  early days. The very first campaign she and others waged in 1969  (and won!)  was opposing a transmission corridor that Edison threatened to erect through the Basin. We are grateful for Susan launching MBCA and inspired by the legacy of our Emeritus Directors. MBCA is still going strong 47 years since its founding!

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2016 Desert Wise Living Landscape Tour a great success!

I want to share Cathy Zarakov’s thanks to Landscape Tour Hosts & Docents:

 

We’d also like to thank radio station KCDZ for promoting the Tour with Cindy Daigneault’s wonderful complimentary PAs (public service announcements), as well as reporter Mike Lipsitz’s online piece at Z107.7.com. Thanks, too, to the Hi-Desert Star and reporter Hillary Sloan’s enthusiastic article Landscape tour inspires the gardener and poet (article no longer available).  

 

Last, but not least thanks to those who entered essays in the Landscape Tour Essay Contest. You can read all the essays on our Essay Contest webpage(no longer available). I can hardly wait for next year’s Tour & I bet you feel the same! That’s very good news!

 

Remember: it takes a Basin!