News media have reported that federal authorization has been granted for the "Cadiz Valley Water Conservation, Recovery and Storage Project" (Cadiz Water Project), a Mojave-Desert-to-Orange-County water transmission plan. However, the California Lands Commission insists there must be a process of review and permission because of state lands crossed by the proposed pipeline. MBCA and many desert supporters believe the project is based on unrealistic projections about the recovery of water in the desert aquifer, and that desert lands including special places in the Mojave Trails National Monument will be adversely affected. News items explaining the situation can be found in the Los Angeles Times, the San Bernardino Sun, the Desert Sun, and on local radio KCDZ's website. You can view previous stories and links about Cadiz on our Water Issues page.
MBCA continues to oppose the Cadiz Water Project and we are glad to learn of a new development that brings another potential problem to their plan. The National Parks Conservation Association published a Press Release today noting that the California State Lands Commission has found that the project's plan will require State review because the plan crosses State-owned land. You can read MBCA's prior news posts about Cadiz and other water issues on our Water Issues page.
The County of San Bernardino has just published the latest versions of updated Community Plans for a number of communities in the Morongo Basin, based on input from last year's "Community Workshops." The links provided below connect you to the overview page on the County's website, which explains the process and the status, and includes a link to the latest plan.
"Our" Sand to Snow National Monument will remain as it was created, according to news from the Interior Department, following its listing for "review" by that Department earlier this year. The state of our other nearby Monument, Mojave Trails, is not yet known, but recommendations for reduction in size based on extractive industry interests is anticipated. The Desert Sun article about the Sand-to-Snow announcement provides a great deal more information, including a history of the Monument effort and quotations from several Morongo Basin residents. Read the Los Angeles Times article on the subject.
The Morongo Basin is now home to an international Dark Sky Park. Joshua Tree National Park achieved their long-time goal of Dark Sky Park status bestowed by the International Dark Sky Association(IDA). This significant achievement is the result of several years of work by Park staff, providing data and receiving IDA representatives for review.
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.
