MBCA has joined over 70 organizations signing a letter addressed to Governor Newsom and the California Public Utilities Commission stating concern about changes to net metering. Net metering allows rooftop solar owners connected to the grid to receive bill credit for energy produced beyond their own needs. This does not work to the advantage of investor-owned utilities that are pressing for changes. The letter also encourages more solar battery storage and rooftop solar growth with extra support for low-income communities.
This fast growing desert native is a favorite among gardeners in the Morongo Basin and it is easy to see why. Brittlebush's (Encelia farinosa) grey leaves offset its profusion of yellow daisy-like flowers in a mounding habit. It has a long bloom cycle if given enough water. But not too much water as it is a true desert native and is used to an arid environment.
We love the structural quality of Desert or Rush Milkweed (Asclepias subulata) in the garden. This plant thrives in all Morongo Basin elevations (hardy to 10-20 Fahrenheit). Can tolerate some shade.
On February 17 the Department of the Interior revoked the eleventh-hour amendment to California's Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan by the outgoing administration that would have greatly reduced protected lands. This Desert Sun article provides more history and details, and California Energy Commissioner Karen Douglas has released a statement of recognition and appreciation.
We are grateful to the Mojave Desert Land Trust for assembling and publishing a comprehensive guide to the new regulations regarding Western Joshua trees.
Last fall the California Fish and Game Commission voted to advance this iconic Mojave desert plant as a candidate for threatened species status. There is a one-year assessment period when special regulations regarding their movement or destruction are in place.
Refresh yourself on the situation by reading our September 23 News Update then go to MDLT's Western Joshua Tree Regulations page for all the current requirements.
At their February 4th meeting, the four San Bernardino County Planning Commission members present (Weldy, Stoffel, Haughey, Gongora) voted to defer any decision on the recommendation to adopt the proposed Light Trespass Ordinance. They will schedule a Workshop on the issue at a future Planning Commission meeting. Commissioners had many concerns that Land Use Services staff were unable to answer to their satisfaction. More background and links can be found in the first article of our February 1 Eblast or our January 31 News Update.
Ten years after the start of Morongo Basin community efforts to improve the San Bernardino County lighting ordinance, the Planning Commission will hold a hearing on a revised “Light Trespass” ordinance on February 4. (Meeting details and documents can be found here.) The revision would replace the earlier “Glare and Outdoor Lighting” section of the Development Code with updated and improved language focused on light trespass. In the Land Use Services staff report you can read both the existing and proposed ordinances and additional background and context.
County Mining Ordinance Revision Hearing Continued to October
The San Bernardino County Supervisors meeting on August 18 drew a large number of commenters on item 76: "Conduct a public hearing to consider the proposed ordinance to repeal and reenact local surface mining and land reclamation regulations." Commenters expressed strong concerns that through the proposed changes, the County was handing over environmental review to the recently greatly weakened federal environmental review process. After the comment period, Chair Dawn Rowe...
2025 Western Joshua Tree Legislative Report Published
This annual report required by the legislature is published by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). It covers the Western Joshua Tree issue from July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025. The legislative report includes an update on CDFW’s role in the implementation of the Western Joshua Tree Conservaiton Act, information on permits issued, fees collected, conservation implemented, and more. Here is the report and you can find more...
MBCA Joins Qualified Support for AB 53 Tribal Lands Bill
MBCA was among seven organizations sending a qualified statement of support for AB 53, a bill intending to provide a pathway for the transfer of public lands in California to original tribal stewardship for conservation purposes. The letter requests that the bill be reintroduced in the next legislative session to provide time to elaborate and clarify the complex conditions of land transfer for best possible outcomes. There is little time...
With a focus on health concerns in addition to support for other commenters' concerns with tourism, MBCA sent a comment letter opposing the Supervisors' August 18 impending vote to approve a recommendation that would remove the county from the permitting of mining operations with federal approval. Federal environmental guidelines have been changed to reduce effective review. The specific concern addressed is fine particles of the radioactive element Thorium unearthed in...
Development in the Morongo Basin
ATTEND the Appeal of Mercury Dry Camp Project on August 4
Renewable Energy in San Bernardino County
Federal Attacks on Environmental Protections
Attacks on California Environmental Quality Act
Good News! Balcony Solar Advances in California
Climate Stewards at University of California Riverside Palm Desert
Voluteer to support MBCA in our Adopt-a-Highway
The Initial Study for this proposal to create twelve 5-acre Rural Living-zoned lots in the Pioneertown area contains many conflicts with the County Wide Plan that are outlined in MBCA’s comment letter to Land Use Services. MBCA objects to the County's support of a Mitigated Negative Declaration for the project and urges a full Environmental Impact Report be completed. MBCA's comment letter and appendices describe a number of critical oversights...
MBCA has joined over 120 environmental, consumer, low-income, tenants’ rights, and clean energy organizations to support legislation that would address both energy insecurity and air pollution problems in California. The legislation introduced by Senator Wiener (SB 868) would allow Californians to install portable solar generation devices known as "balcony solar" without having to connect with public utilities (as is currently the law). These small plug-in units can provide enough electricity...
Click on the photo to enjoy MBCA's latest engaging video of a local residential landscape filled with desert native plant beauty and skillful water management.
