A federal judge has ruled that the West Mojave Route Network Project (WEMO) presented in 2019 by the Bureau of Land Management does not adequately protect the threatened (endangered in California) desert tortoise. The lawsuit against the Plan filed in 2021 was brought by six environmental organizations. While not all the lawsuit’s claims were granted, the judge found that the off-road routes could not be shown to adequately protect the tortoise and other endangered species. Additional details can be found in articles in the Los Angeles Times and Desert Sun. MBCA's 2018 commented on the project in 2018.

For the third time in two years, MBCA has addressed both continuing and changing concerns about the proposed Sienna Solar and Storage Project in the Lucerne Valley area. The latest letter emphasizes unaddressed points made in our September 22, 2022 letter, as well as significant changes in the latest project proposal compared to the 2017 Planning Project Notice. Our letter also includes references and links to the Carbon Sequestration and Biodiversity document that includes significant contributions by MBCA Board members, and a letter of concern from MBCA and local residents in April 25, 2022.

A new video highlighting Joshua Tree's Desert View Conservation Area has been produced by San Bernardino County, whose Special Districts department oversees the preserved acreage. This free daytime recreation area north of Joshua Tree National Park has received improvements for visitors in recent years and additional educational signage is planned.  

There are reports in various locations of the Morongo Basin of dead rabbits and hares likely dead of the hemorrhagic disease that was virulent several years ago. Read this information from the state for recognizing and handling dead animals that might carry the disease. It is important to note that this type of virus is only known to affect rabbits and hares, not other animals or humans.

In a community-generated Town Hall, more than 50 Twentynine Palms residents spent a recent Saturday morning sharing ideas and thoughts about the City's future. Hosted by non-profit publisher The Desert Trumpet, with support from The Desert Trail, speakers included Chris Clarke of 90 Miles from Needles, the Desert Protection Podcast; Paul Razo, Business owner, Member, Public Art Advisory Committee (PAAC); and Carrie Williams, Co-owner, Jeanine Beauty Supply, CEO Women of Color Global 29. The Desert Trumpet has published the meeting's high points in three issue-focused reports. Part 1 focuses on Creating an Affordable and Sustainable City; Part 2 on Balancing Development with Maintenance of the Desert Ecosystem; and Part 3 on Creating an Affordable and Sustainable City. A transcript of each session is also provided at the end of each report.

The latest regulations and protocols for California's Western Joshua Tree Relocation program were issued on July 1. A public comment session on the latest version of the Western Joshua Tree Conservation Plan was offered by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife on July 11. The prior comment session from April 4 is available on YouTube.  When available, the video for July 11 will also be linked here.

The “Rocket”/76 gas station in Joshua Tree and the Chevron station in Twentynine Palms have both appeared for the first time on a list of “Green Mojave Gas Stations,” a program of the Mojave Desert Air Quality Management District. The designation requires that “pollution prevention and reduction techniques are successfully employed as part of routine operating procedures.” There are 24 Mojave Desert gas stations currently meeting the requirements.

The expected destruction of thousands of Joshua trees for the Aratina Solar Project in Boron and the subsequent social media outrage has triggered a number of media stories.  Riverside Press-Enterprise columnist and well-known desert writer Ruth Nolan published a column "Honoring the Joshua trees of the Mojave Desert town of Boron." A Los Angeles Times story focuses on "rescue plans" for the trees. 

Loving Joshua Tree, an episode of Earth Focus that debuted in April on PBS SoCal, examines many of the issues MBCA regularly follows. The approximately half-hour video focuses on Joshua Tree National Park and its growing popularity and visitation due to social media; the desert's biodiversity and wildlife; the Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act; and issues of short-term rentals and local housing needs. Interviewees include many folks well-known to MBCA supporters, including Chris Clarke (Desert Advocacy Media Network), Frazier Haney (The Wildlands Conservancy), and Park Superintendent Jane Rodgers. Additional perspectives come from Laura Crane (Nature Conservancy); Alicia Pike (Chris Clarke's former partner on the 90 Miles from Needles podcast); Glen Steigelman & Steve Halterman, proprietors of The Station in Joshua Tree; local journalist and STR owner Hilary Sloane; and Crossroads Cafe restaurant employee Tiffany Hopkins. MBCA is mentioned in Chris Clarke's comments about our impact on the development of AutoCamp starting at timestamp 20:42.

MBCA was among 14 Inland Empire non-profit groups supporting a comment letter concerned with the Rio Vista Specific Plan for the Riverside County City of Jurupa. The Plan includes a warehouse and other industrial development that, in addition to air quality, water, and urban heat impacts, would endanger the over 13,000 year old Jurupa oak, among the oldest living things on the planet. The letter contains extensive analysis of problems with the plan and offers two alternatives. Read this Los Angeles Times article for more background.