Despite having to reschedule the official signing ceremony due to extreme winds in southern California, President Biden today designated Chuckwalla National Monument in the California desert and also Sáttítla Highlands National Monument in northern California. The Chuckwalla designation honors the cultural significance of desert lands for several Tribal Nations as well as securing over 600,000 acres of carbon-sequestering land from inappropriate development. Using the Antiquities Act in lieu of stalled Congressional action, the designation is the culmination of concerted and committed efforts by many "desert defenders" and Tribal Nations, including MBCA's Board and supporters. MBCA attended the launch of the Monument designation effort in September 2023, and also participated in the Public Hearing in June 2024. 

The Tortoise Research and Captive Rearing Site at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center in Twentynine Palms was recently highlighted in the Los Angeles Times. Details and official documents outlining the evolution of the program since 2013 can be found on the Base's website.

The State Lands Commission on December 17 terminated a long-term pipeline right-of-way lease for the Cadiz Water Project, providing another setback in the company's plan to drain a major desert aquifer for profit. Cadiz has publicized its claims that their latest plans with California tribes will provide a beneficial public-private partnership that would benefit "communities in need." Environmental justice advocates argue convincingly against the touted benefits of the plan, as outlined in this City Watch news story. Tribal perspectives inform coverage of desert water issues by KPFK's Creative Frontline program, such as this podcast that includes dialogue with MBCA Director Pat Flanagan. For recent and historical news on the project, search for Cadiz in the Climate & Environment section of the Los Angeles Times.

A federal judge has ruled that the West Mojave Route Network Project (WEMO) presented in 2019 by the Bureau of Land Management does not adequately protect the threatened (endangered in California) desert tortoise. The lawsuit against the Plan filed in 2021 was brought by six environmental organizations. While not all the lawsuit’s claims were granted, the judge found that the off-road routes could not be shown to adequately protect the tortoise and other endangered species. Additional details can be found in articles in the Los Angeles Times and Desert Sun. MBCA's 2018 commented on the project in 2018.

MBCA contributed to and signed this comprehensive letter initiated by the Friends of Big Morongo Canyon Preserve, demonstrating that the proposed communications tower in Morongo Valley has unacceptable consequences for the local residents and the ecosystem. Seven local concerned non-profits  contributed to the extensive data and visual aids in the letter, concluding: "The significance of impacts has been generally downplayed through omission of key information and the use of outdated resources. Because the impacts to Public Safety, Visual Resources, Environmental Justice, and Cumulative Effects are likely to be significant and unmitigable, this application should be rejected or, at the very least, a comprehensive Environmental Impact Study should be performed."

For the third time in two years, MBCA has addressed both continuing and changing concerns about the proposed Sienna Solar and Storage Project in the Lucerne Valley area. The latest letter emphasizes unaddressed points made in our September 22, 2022 letter, as well as significant changes in the latest project proposal compared to the 2017 Planning Project Notice. Our letter also includes references and links to the Carbon Sequestration and Biodiversity document that includes significant contributions by MBCA Board members, and a letter of concern from MBCA and local residents in April 25, 2022.

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. 

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.