Land Development

Morongo Basin residents cherish our region for its open spaces, native plant life, spring wildflowers, scenic views, wildlife encounters, clean air, and dark night skies. To maintain these natural and rewarding conditions, MBCA provides information and encourages public comment on land development that may threaten the very conditions that make our region unique and eminently livable and enjoyable.

Problems that arise from poorly-planned developments include excessive dust from land scraping, blocking of wildlife corridors, flooding, and traffic and safety issues.

Past developments of concern have included poorly-sited solar fields and a casino. More recently, an inappropriately large gated housing subdivision (see information on Alta Mira below), a chain store, and another poorly-sited solar field have been of concern.

Our latest information on land development issues in the Morongo Basin will be provided on this page and the MBCA News page.

Featured post

MBCA Submits Comments on Aratina Solar Project

Posted by Laraine Turk · October 13, 2021 5:35 AM
The Aratina Solar Project is proposed for a portion of undisturbed Mojave Desert in Kern County near the town of Boron. The land is mostly undisturbed Joshua Tree woodland, and its destruction for this project has numerous serious consequences for the ecology of the area and also would remove carbon-sequestering soil. MBCA's letter outlines the consequences and asks the Kern County Board of Supervisors not to approve the project.
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San Bernardino County Provides a Short Term Rental Map

Posted by Laraine Turk · September 23, 2021 9:17 PM
San Bernardino County now provides an online Short Term Rental Map for viewing permitted short-term rentals (STRs) in unincorporated areas of the County. While permitted and well-managed STRs provide income for local residents and businesses, the effects on quality of life due to the escalating number of such properties that are unpermitted and/or not well-managed have been increasing.
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EBlast May 9, 2021
Posted by Laraine Turk · May 09, 2021 2:40 PM · 2 reactions
Light Trespass Workshop by Planning Commission

Stop the Threat to Community Solar in California

Short Term Rentals

MBCA Takes a Stand on Glamping Projects

Virtual Landscape Tour

New MBCA Website Features
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Featured post

MBCA Comments on Proposed Flamingo Heights Camping Development

Posted by Laraine Turk · April 26, 2021 4:36 PM
Residents across the Morongo Basin have expressed concern about a proposed luxury camping development just off Old Woman Springs Road in Flamingo Heights. MBCA has sent a letter to the lead San Bernardino County contract planner emphasizing the need for a comprehensive Environmental Impact Report. A news story from local radio station KCDZ provides additional information.
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MBCA Comments on Solar 66 Project in Daggett

Posted by Laraine Turk · April 23, 2021 8:18 AM
The proposed Solar 66 project located in the Mojave Desert community of Daggett between I-15 and Highway 40 would provide 7 megawatts of solar power on about 134 acres. MBCA's comment letter on the County's Initial Study of this project points to concerns about flooding risks, air pollution, wildlife corridors, invasive species, and aesthetics.

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MBCA Observes AutoCamp Construction in Joshua Tree

Posted by Laraine Turk · April 03, 2021 7:34 PM
MBCA features prominently in an article and photo series by the Desert Sun about the Auto Camp Airsteam Resort under construction in Joshua Tree. The news article title aptly describes the concern: Glamping company brings Airstreams to Joshua Tree. Can development and nature coexist? The article includes comments from MBCA President Steve Bardwell, and he and Board member Pat Flanagan are included in the photo series accompanying the article.
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MBCA Opposes Stagecoach Solar in Lucerne Valley

Posted by Laraine Turk · November 24, 2020 10:10 AM
The latest large-scale solar development proposed for a problematic desert location is Stagecoach Solar, proposed for the Lucerne Valley area. In this case we are pleased that many of our concerns about the project on behalf of east desert residents are mirrored by the two desert-area County Supervisors, District 3 Supervisor Dawn Rowe and District 1 Supervisor Robert Lovingood.
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Featured post

EBlast January 13, 2020
Posted by Laraine Turk · January 13, 2020 12:59 PM
Attend MBCA annual meeting Saturday January 25 2020!

Daggett Solar Power Facility Update

Survey regarding Solar Energy Development in Southern California

BLM seeking nominations for Resource Advisory Councils
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Featured post

Another Opinion against the Paradise Valley Project

Posted by Laraine Turk · July 22, 2019 7:57 AM
Another strong case is made in a July 12 opinion letter in the Desert Sun against the proposed Paradise Valley housing development of more than 20,000 residents on the south side of Joshua Tree National Park. The piece by Gail Wadsworth, executive director of the California Institute for Rural Studies, focuses on the unmet housing and support needs of rural communities near the proposed site and how the development would be detrimental rather than supportive for residents in those communities.

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The End of the Altamira Project

Posted by Laraine Turk · May 12, 2019 4:17 PM
"THANK YOU - IT IS DONE AND WE HAVE WON!"

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Land Development

Featured post

MBCA Submits Comments on Aratina Solar Project

Featured post

San Bernardino County Provides a Short Term Rental Map

Featured post

EBlast May 9, 2021

Featured post

MBCA Comments on Proposed Flamingo Heights Camping Development

Featured post

MBCA Comments on Solar 66 Project in Daggett

Featured post

MBCA Observes AutoCamp Construction in Joshua Tree

Featured post

MBCA Opposes Stagecoach Solar in Lucerne Valley

Featured post

EBlast January 13, 2020

Featured post

Another Opinion against the Paradise Valley Project

Featured post

The End of the Altamira Project

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MBCA Submits Comments on Aratina Solar Project

San Bernardino County Provides a Short Term Rental Map

Plant Spotlight: Desert Lavender

MBCA Comments on Oberon Solar Project

Planning Commission Forwards Light Trespass Ordinance to Supervisors

MBCA Comments on San Bernardino County Housing Element

Eblast September 6, 2021

Plant Spotlight: Texas Ranger

Letter: MBCA Joins Scientists to Request Greater Consideration of Desert Carbon Sequestration in Climate Change Planning