A worldwide effort to bring attention to environmental issues and climate change is represented by the act of turning off as many of your home lights as possible for one hour, between 8:30 and 9:30 PM, on Saturday, March 25.  Much more information is available on the Earth Hour website.

 

The Desert Sun Editorial Board has published an opinion piece criticizing Governor Jerry Brown's request for federal assistance to develop the Eagle Crest pumping station project.  This is the "giant battery in the desert" hydroelectric project proposed for the Eagle Mountain Mine lands at the southeast border of Joshua Tree National Park.  The privately owned mine area was not included in the recent study recommending return of about 22,000 acres of nearby land back to the National Park.  Read the Desert Sun editorial to learn more about why the project is "not a wise use of precious desert water."  You can also read more about the Eagle Crest project by scanning past articles on MBCA's Water Issues page.

On Monday, February 20, MBCA President Sarah Kennington presented to Supervisor James Ramos a copy of MBCA's letter to San Bernardino County Director of Land Use Services Tom Hudson, reconfirming MBCA's support for Highway 247/Old Woman Springs Road as a California Scenic Highway.  Despite widespread support, the designation has been in limbo for 5 years.  Read MBCA's letter outlining our support and concerns.

While MBCA and many other conservation advocates have spoken against the Cadiz Valley Water Conservation, Recovery and Storage Project, KCET recently published a commentary from Cadiz, Inc. in response to project criticisms.  

A number of MBCA members and supporters attended the January 18 meeting in Palm Desert in support of the process of transferring Eagle Mountain area lands back to Joshua Tree National Park.  

Board member Seth Shteir, left, and President Sarah Kennington, extreme right

Please consider writing a supporting comment letter by February 16, 2017.  Go to our Call to Action page for more details.

In support of our treasured Joshua Tree National Park, MBCA has sent a letter to Senator Feinstein and Congressman Cook encouraging them to fund the backlog of maintenance needs across the National Park Service locations.  The letter points out the direct link between a healthy National Park and a healthy local economy.