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GRADING AND CLEAR CUTTING ISSUES
When the land is scraped more than just what we see is changed forever. The air we breathe and natural drainage is altered, native animal habitat is destroyed, and ultimately the local climate begins to change. The ecological balance is no longer maintained.
If you’re frustrated by the irresponsible grading and clear-cutting of land in the Morongo Basin, join others with the same concerns as part of the Grading/Clear-Cutting Committee, a joint effort of MBCA and the Morongo Basin Property Association. Your help is welcome and needed! The Committee is currently working with the Town of Yucca Valley to update and close loopholes in Town Code on grading and the clear-cutting of vegetation.
View the MBCA Blog for the latest update on this issue. To find out how you can help, contact Committee Chair Harry Bowkley.
We can also take action by reporting to the appropriate jurisdiction land that we believe is being graded irresponsibly and without a permit. A citizen’s report to the responsible building department ideally requires that the department determine if a permit has been issued, and, if not, that they visit the site to determine if one is necessary.
However, response from responsible agencies has not always been ideal, and action may come too late. If you suspect a violation is occurring, your best course is to both make a report AND begin documentation yourself, immediately, according to these guidelines.
REGULATIONS:
Requirements for the County, Town of Yucca Valley, and City of Twentynine Palms differ, although they are all subject to California State requirements (see below). To learn more about your local requirements and how to report for your area:
STATE PROTECTIONS:
The harvest of some California native desert plants on both publicly and privately owned land is regulated by California Food and Agricultural Code, Division 23.
For General Provisions, click here. For enforcement provisions, click here.
The list of regulated plants includes such local species as smoke trees, yucca, and cats claw. For full list click here.
YUCCA VALLEY:
The Town of Yucca Valley is currently reconsidering their ineffectual grading and vegetation ordinances, largely as a result of the tireless work of the Grading/Clear-Cutting Committee, a joint effort of MBCA and the Morongo Basin Property Association.
If you've been frustrated by the irresponsible grading and clear-cutting of land in Yucca Valley, join with others in MBCA who are working together to "change the landscape" of acceptable practices by working with the Town of Yucca Valley to revise and better enforce regulations. Contact Grading/Clear-Cutting Committee Chair Harry Bowkley.
At present, Yucca Valley does not yet have its own grading ordinances and defers to the County Ordinances. Grading ordinances for Yucca Valley are currently under development to coincide with the revision of Yucca Valley Native Plant ordinances, which are not on the Yucca Valley website and may be obtained in hardcopy from the Town.
For the latest news on the progress of the ordinances, refer to the MBCA Blog.
The State of California Code, in Appendix Chapter 33—EXCAVATION AND GRADING—requires a grading permit when more than 50 cubic yards of earth is moved. The Town of Yucca Valley has adopted this basic threshold for issuing grading permits.
To report a violation you’ll need the street address and/or the Assessor’s Parcel Number. Advise the appropriate permitting department of your concerns. Your report will be anonymous.
To make a report, contact the Planning Department:
- Yucca Valley Website Action Center
- Planning Division Webpage
- Code Compliance Webpage
Planning and Code Compliance can both be found at:
- Monterey Business Center
- 58928 Business Center Dr.
- Yucca Valley, CA
- (760) 369-6575
Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday
Closed weekends and holidays
Relevant Yucca Valley Municipal Code is viewable here:
Title 8, Chapter 8.03: Construction Site Maintenance and Trash Containment
Title 8, Chapter 8.04: Flood Control (replaced by newly revised ordinance No. 174: Emergency Management Agency).
NOTE: California State protections of Desert Native Plants, including such locals as yucca, smoke trees, cats claw, and more, also apply inYucca Valley. See State Protections above.
TWENTYNINE PALMS:
The State of California Code, in Appendix Chapter 33—EXCAVATION AND GRADING—requires a grading permit when more than 50 cubic yards of earth is moved. The City of Twentynine Palms has adopted this basic threshold for issuing grading permits.
In addition, Twentynine Palms has a Hillside Grading, Clearing and Plant Removal ordinance, Section 19.64 of the Development Code, viewable and printable here.
To report a violation you’ll need the street address and/or the Assessor’s Parcel Number. Advise the appropriate permitting department of your concerns. Your report will be anonymous.
To make a report, contact the Planning Department:
- City of Twentynine Palms
6136 Adobe Rd.
Twentynine Palms, CA 92277
Phone: (760) 367-6799
Fax: (760) 367-4890
info@ci.twentynine-palms.ca.us
Twentynine Palms Planning Department
- Map and Directions to City Hall
NOTE: California State protections of Desert Native Plants, including such locals as yucca, smoke trees, cats claw, and more, also apply in Twentynine Palms. See State Protections above.
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