The Daggett Solar project northeast of the Morongo Basin near Daggett and Newberry Springs proposes a five-and-a-half square mile array that would bring more damage than benefit to the area's residents and to the Mojave Desert. In MBCA's April 29, 2019 comment letter, Pat Flanagan outlines the issues and illustrates through photos and maps how the project is flawed despite proposed mitigations. Also noted as likely outcomes are a reduction in human quality of life, for reasons of fugitive dust with health consequences and reduced viewsheds affecting tourism. Potential damage to wildlife and birds, increased temperatures from heat island effects, and reduced panel effectiveness due to dust accumulation are other situations explored in the richly illustrated letter.
MBCA Joins Request for Wildlife Protection at Border Wall
MBCA joined a strong plea to California officials initiated by the Endangered Habitats League to take action concerning expansion of the Border Wall along California’s southern border with Mexico that will further damage wildlife in both countries. The letter importantly references the 2005 Memorandum of Understanding between federal and California agencies and several Mexican non-profits regarding the habitat conservation of the area around Tecate Peak which is among several locations...
MBCA Opposes Permit for Joshua Tree Motocross Park
After learning of an operating motocross park on Sunfair Road in Joshua Tree, MBCA sent the County a letter opposing approval of any permit for the park/raceway and asking that operation cease until review and permitting can be accomplished. Such a commercial usage is not permitted in a rural living zone without approved permits. According to a report by Z107.7 local radio, the owner Neil Rauschenberg "says that Sunfair 42...
Fall Planting Featured on Latest MBCA Desert-Wise Landscape Video
MBCA has published its latest YouTube video on desert-wise landscaping. "Getting to the Root of Fall Planting/Working with Nature" offers tips and suggestions on design by MBCA's gardening expert Miriam Seger, as well as steps to prepare in fall for a healthy and vibrant spring bloom. For a preview, watch this short video on design, and another on why fall is the best time to plant in the desert.
MBCA Leads Appeal of Sienna Solar Project in Lucerne Valley
In partnership with several other organizations and individuals, MBCA filed an appeal of the County Planning Commission's October 23 approval of a Conditional Use Permit for the 1,854-acre Sienna Solar and Storage Project, including gen-tie lines to the future Southern California Edison Calcite substation in Lucerne Valley. Should these projects be constructed it would fundamentally change the character of the already-disadvantaged Lucerne Valley Community, creating the potential for severe dust...
Alianza Coachella Valley’s Campaign for Thriving Salton Sea Communities is advocating for a Trail Network that will bring much-needed environmental, economic, and recreational benefits to...
Development Proposals in the Morongo Basin
Planning Commission Hearing October 23, 2025
OfLand Resort Update
LoveMore Ranch Update
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AB 98 - Transportation Issues for the Morongo Basin
MBCA President Steve Bardwell sent an email to County Supervisor Dawn Rowe and Yucca Valley Town Manager Curtis Yakimow about the County Planning Commission’s October 9 agenda item “AB 98 Transportation and Mobility Study Session." President Bardwell repeated concerns MBCA expressed in January 2025, and annotated the Staff Report to highlight major concerns. He further noted that two major new transportation hubs, Barstow International Gateway (BIG) and the Amazon warehouse...
MBCA Comments on Cactus Club Development in Joshua Tree
The proposed Cactus Club Hotel is a complex of structures with a total of 20 hotel rooms in the Panorama Heights area of Joshua Tree. The project description also lists other structures for "accessory uses" that seem to indicate a resort rather than just a hotel. A Mitigated Negative Declaration is recommended by County staff. MBCA's letter registers concern about the relatively large scale of the project compared to the...
A notice issued on August 29, 2025, by the Forest Service, an agency of the Department of Agriculture, announced the intent to rescind the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule. The intent of the Rule is "to provide lasting protection for inventoried roadless areas within the National Forest System in the context of multiple-use management." MBCA's opposition letter describes the likely negative consequences of rolling back this rule, including environmental harm to...
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