by Laraine Turk
1288sc
on April 19, 2023
1 reaction
Share
by Laraine Turk
1288sc
on April 19, 2023
Joining with 66 other environmentally-conscious non-profits, MBCA signed
a letter in support of SB 233, a bill intended, through a series of actions over time, to require
all new electric vehicles sold in California to be bidirectional beginning in model year 2030. The author has introduced SB 233 because the battery storage capability of electric vehicles offers an opportunity for California’s increasing fleet of electric vehicles to “give back” to the grid or homeowners in times of need.
1 reaction
Share
by Laraine Turk
1288sc
on April 14, 2023
Morongo Basin Conservation Association has awarded college scholarships to three local graduating high school seniors. All three high schools in the Morongo Unified School District are represented this year.
Recipients were selected from a competitive pool of applicants with demonstrated commitments to include conservation and environmental interests in their education and career plans. Each $1,000 scholarship goes toward the student's higher education expenses in the 2023-24 academic year.
MBCA's Conservation Scholarship is the continuation of our commitment to educate the next generation of conservation-conscious citizens. Landon Michael Stitt of Yucca Valley High School is the recipient, with career intentions towards environmentally-conscientious urban planning and engineering.
The Women's STEAM Scholarship (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) is provided anonymously by two generations of women who held careers in STEAM fields. Jadyn Sarah Bauer, the founder of Twentynine Palms High School's Environmental Club, is the recipient, with career plans for environmental studies.
Donations in memory of renowned local artist, conservationist, and longtime MBCA member Steve Rieman, make it possible to offer the Steve Rieman Scholarship for students who anticipate incorporating their conservation commitment into careers in writing, fine arts, or design. Kylie Morning Adkins of Black Rock High School is the recipient, with her focus on nature photography and advocacy.
1 reaction
Share
by Laraine Turk
1288sc
on April 13, 2023
MBCA joined more than 40 local, state, and national organizations in support of California Assemblymember Laura Friedman's AB 1573, the Water Conservation in Landscaping Act, introduced on February 17 and currently referred to the Committee on Water, Parks and Wildlife. Issues addressed include improvements to the existing model ordinance, and overall the bill's provisions would set "the strongest level of water conservation requirements for new or major rehabilitated non-residential landscapes." Read the letter and the bill.
1 reaction
Share
by Laraine Turk
1288sc
on April 13, 2023
1 reaction
Share
by Steve Bardwell
329sc
on April 11, 2023
- 2023 Desert Wise Living Landscape Tour
- Attend MBCA and Friends of Wonder Valley Dark Skies event
- Wonder Inn and Flamingo 640 appealed to Board of Supervisors
Read more
1 reaction
Share
by Steve Bardwell
329sc
on April 11, 2023
- Wonder Inn Project to be considered by Planning Commission
- Flamingo 640 Glamping Project has been appealed!
- 2023 Desert Wise Living Landscape Tour
Read more
1 reaction
Share
by Laraine Turk
1288sc
on March 31, 2023
Speaking at an water industry event at the Salton Sea near Mecca on Monday, March 27, Scott Slater, the CEO of Cadiz, Inc, the company that wants to sell water from the Cadiz aquifer for enormous financial gain, shared that the company is considering piping water "to bring water to disadvantaged communities within our reach."
Slater also revealed efforts "to pursue a relationship with the Salton Sea Authority...and the Torres Martinez tribe, to bring water to the
Salton Sea and to benefit the tribe, which would happen via an exchange." Slater also noted that the company will then "push the water north into the northern hi-desert and then into the interconnected systems of the state," via its 220-mile Northern Pipeline.
MBCA has long been concerned about the devastating effects of the proposed Cadiz Water Project. A series of our past News posts about Cadiz plus other water-related issues we have reported on, can be found by searching "
water" on our website.
1 reaction
Share
by Laraine Turk
1288sc
on March 24, 2023
In a 4-0 vote, San Bernardino County Planning Commissioners denied the Wonder Inn project opposed by MBCA and hundreds of Morongo Basin area residents. Almost 50 citizens made their comments in person at the meeting. The citizens' group
Stop Wonder Inn spent a year doing research to demonstrate how the project if built would have significant negative repercussions not only for Wonder Valley but the entire Morongo Basin. MBCA's
initial and
followup comment letters contain detailed information about the project's weaknesses. The developers have the option to appeal the Commission's decision within 10 days to the Supervisors.
1 reaction
Share
by Laraine Turk
1288sc
on March 10, 2023
The San Bernardino County Planning Commissioners listened to almost three hours of public comments almost completely against the RoBott Land Company's
proposal for a
Conditional Use Permit for "a campground that includes a number of facilities, including 75-camp sites, camp store, restaurant, bar, restrooms, pool, workshop buildings, helipad, and common area gardens and pathways within an approximate 25-acre portion of a 640- acre parcel." The denial of the project "without prejudice" means the company can appeal to the Board of Supervisors or resubmit a revised program later. You can view the meeting on the County's website; the public hearing on the glamping project starts at 9:22 AM.
1 reaction
Share
