by Laraine Turk
1515sc
on September 20, 2024
San Bernardino County published a new short
video highlighting the Desert View Conservation Area in Joshua Tree. The free access area offers 3 miles of trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding on 605 acres of native plants and wildlife.
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by Laraine Turk
1515sc
on September 17, 2024
MBCA addressed concerns about the proposed 196-foot communications tower in Morongo Valley in
this 2022 post. The latest version of the
Environmental Assessment (at 422 pages) was published late this summer. On September 13 BLM republished its earlier
Press Release to include a new public comment extension to October 7. Concerned Morongo Valley residents have created
guidelines showing how to comment and containing "substantive comment" language
for the main concerns of the local community.
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by Laraine Turk
1515sc
on September 17, 2024
In his latest "
Boiling Point" newsletter,
Los Angeles Times' climate and environment writer Sammy Roth summarizes some of the environment and climate-related bills passed by California legislators and awaiting Governor Newsom's signature or veto. For each bill Roth describes context, what the bill would do, and lists supporters and opponents.
SB 1374 regarding net energy metering on rooftop solar was noted in MBCA's
June 10 eblast. Other bills relate to water and environmental justice issues, also of ongoing concern to MBCA.
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by Laraine Turk
1515sc
on August 21, 2024
A new
study in the online journal Ecology Letters focuses on changes to Joshua tree viability and blooming since the early 20th century. The study uses data from citizen scientist reports of Joshua trees and their blooms through the
iNaturalist app, plus historic data. While climate change seems to be increasing the frequency of Joshua Tree blooming, it is also negatively affecting the survival of Joshua tree seedlings. A
Los Angeles Times article explains the study and includes comment from Kelly Herbinson, Mojave Desert Land Trust Executive Director.
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by Laraine Turk
1515sc
on August 20, 2024
As the California Legislative session draws to a close, MBCA has joined with 93 other organizations signing
a letter opposing efforts to "gut and amend" legislation that would weaken environmental protections without public input.
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by Laraine Turk
1515sc
on August 20, 2024
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by Laraine Turk
1515sc
on August 08, 2024
A new YouTube
video explores the history of protection for Joshua trees and the controversially approved destruction of 4000 Joshua trees for the Aratina Solar Project in Kern County.
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by Laraine Turk
1515sc
on August 07, 2024
Local Joshua Tree residents alerted MBCA about receiving a notice from the County about a proposed housing project in their neighborhood. Recipients were offered the opportunity to comment on a Tentative Tract map application to subdivide about 18.5 undeveloped acres into 64 parcels of "minimal impact" homes. MBCA's comments highlight the lack of information on the project and insufficient time window for providing comments. We question any claims concerning sustainability and responsible growth and development. Also addressed is the lack of progress on encouraging affordable housing after acknowledgment by the Supervisors of the ill-effects of a surfeit of STRs in Joshua Tree. We emphasize this is a project requiring analysis under CEQA for impacts due to aesthetics, flooding, flora, traffic, and wastewater.
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by Laraine Turk
1515sc
on August 07, 2024
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by Laraine Turk
1515sc
on July 26, 2024
A County Update reports that the addition of a third Code Enforcement Team has improved the availability of the South Desert Team that serves the Morongo Basin. Code Enforcement Chief Ignacio Nunez states that “The new Central Desert Team has helped to reduce the number of cases handled by other desert officers, allowing them to respond more quickly to new cases and follow up on ongoing cases. Officers now have more time to assist the public.” The South Desert Team provides services to the unincorporated communities of Rimrock, Pioneer Town, Flamingo Heights, Yucca Valley, Landers, Homestead Valley, Yucca Mesa, Joshua Tree, Morongo Valley, 29 Palms, Wonder Valley, Vidal Junction, Havasu Lake and Needles. San Bernardino County Code Enforcement information and services can be accessed here.
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