• Submit your Desert-Wise Living Essay!
• Stop Cadiz! Support SB-307
  
• Alta Mira Development Defeated!
  
• Paradise Valley Development Threatens Joshua Tree National Park
  
• West Mojave Route Network Project (WEMO) Land Use Plan Amendment published
  
• National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) workshop: Yucca Valley, May 18, 2019: RSVP seth.shteir@gmail.com
  
  Submit your Desert-Wise Living Essay!
  Many thanks to all of the sponsors, hosts and volunteers who made the ninth Desert Wise Landscape tour a success! I encourage everyone, hosts, docents and visitors to write a short essay describing your experience with the tour to be eligible for gift certificates offered by Cactus Mart in Morongo Valley, and Unique Nursery in Yucca Valley. Please see the Essay Contest page on our web site for information on how to enter.
  
  Stop Cadiz! Support SB-307
  SB-307 (Roth) would prohibit the use of a water conveyance facility to transfer water from a groundwater basin underlying desert lands unless the State Lands Commission, in consultation with the Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Department of Water Resources finds that the transfer will not adversely affect the natural or cultural resources of the land. This bill would subject the controversial Cadiz water project to the desperately needed environmental review it has so far evaded. The State Senate Appropriations Committee is scheduled to consider this bill on May 6, 2019. Contact Senator Anthony Portantino, (916) 651-4025, chair of the Appropriations Committee and primary co-author of the legislation, and Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins (916-651-4039) to urge them to approve and send SB-307 to the floor for a vote. Should the Senate approve the bill, it will then go to the State Assembly where a similar bill won by a 2/3 majority in 2018. Stay tuned as we track the progress of this vitally important legislation.
  
  Alta Mira Development Defeated!
  To settle the CEQA lawsuit filed by the JT105 Alliance, the Board of Supervisors voted on April 16 to rescind the entitlements for the inappropriate and ill-conceived 105 acre, 248 lot gated subdivision, known as the Alta Mira housing development proposed for Joshua Tree, effectively ending the decade-long opposition to this project. This victory has been achieved through the exceptional efforts of the local community in mounting legal challenges to the development. The legal challenges were funded through generous contributions and the unflagging efforts of members of the community. Well done and congratulations to all who helped to secure this victory!
  
  Paradise Valley Development Threatens Joshua Tree National Park
  So, just as we announce the defeat of Alta Mira, another inappropriate and damaging development is under review in Riverside County. An 1,848-acre community within a 5,000-acre specific plan boundary would, if approved by the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors, be constructed directly on the southern border of Joshua Tree National Park. This development with 8,490 new dwelling units, approximately 20,000 residents, and up to 1,380,000 square feet of non-residential development would have a tremendous affect on the Park.
  
  Paradise Valley is within the Coachella Valley Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan (MSHCP). This plan was crafted over many years with input from the many stakeholders including developers, the building trades, and the conservation community. A condition of any development within the plan boundary is that a joint project review (JPR) be undertaken to enable thorough evaluation of a project. Riverside County has not required a JPR for Paradise Valley and the continued viability of the MSHCP is now in danger.
  
  Chris Clarke, of the National Park Conservation Association has stated: This new city would place 20-25,000 new human residents directly along the southern border of the park, furthering the urban walling-off of the park, with serious consequences for the ecological integrity of the park.
  
  We encourage you to learn about this ill-conceived development by reviewing the information from the Riverside County planning department (click here) and to write, email or call the Project Planner: Russell Brady (rbrady@arivco.org) at Riverside County Planning Department PO Box 1409 Riverside, CA 92502-1409. (951) 955-3025. Should the project be approved by the Planning Commission, it will then go to the Board of Supervisors for final approval. This project is located within the 4^th district now represented by V. Manuel Perez who may be contacted via email at: district4@rivco.org.
  
  As of this writing, it is unclear if the Planning Commission will choose to ‘continue’ this item to another date due to several outstanding issues; notably a traffic study, a hydrological study and a spring biological study. Currently the Riverside County Planning Commission is set to consider this application at 9:30 am on May 15, 2019 at 75-515 E. Hovley Lane, Palm Desert, CA 92211. Please stay tuned and we will provide more information as it becomes available.
  
  West Mojave Route Network Project (WEMO)  Land Use Plan Amendment published
  The West Mojave Route Network Project Land Use Plan Amendment to the California Desert Conservation Area Plan and Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (FSEIS) is now available for download. The deadline for protests in the latest chapter of this excruciating WEMO process is May 28, 2019. Our conservation partners, Community ORV Watch, have prepared a preliminary analysis of the recently released documents. The current mapping system uses an entirely web-based interface as opposed to the PDF maps that were utilized in the past. Our previous comments and efforts appear to have made a difference and this is reflected in Alternative 5, the BLM’s Proposed Action Alternative. Many of the short, discontinuous route segments within checkerboarded communities have now been designated as Street Legal Only. This is a good step towards controlling unwelcome and disruptive OHV use within our residential communities.
  
  We encourage you to study and digest the MANY documents and extremely detailed maps that have been posted on the BLM website.
  
  National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) workshop: Saturday, May 18, 2019
  A free workshop designed to teach participants how to craft meaningful, substantive comments in opposition to inappropriate developments on public land. The workshop is being offered at this time because more desert advocates are needed to defend the desert we love.  We are faced with increasingly complex public policy issues, such as the reopening of the Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan (DRECP) that will affect every aspect of the quality of life in the desert, and the soon-to-be-published WEMO LUPA (Land Use Plan Amendment) and SEIS (Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement) (see above). This workshop is being organized by the environmental lawyers from Advocates of the West (https://advocateswest.org/), and the California Desert Coalition (https://www.cadesertcoalition.org). MBCA and the Conservation Lands Foundation are also providing support for this event. For more information see the NEPA Workshop event listing on MBCA’s Calendar page. Please RSVP to seth.shteir@gmail.com by May 12, 2019.

Thanks again to all the members and supporters of MBCA for your continued interest and activism!

Sincerely,

Steve Bardwell President
Morongo Basin Conservation Association

Your 2019 MBCA Board 

Steve Bardwell, President                          Pat Flanagan, Director       
David Fick, Vice President                         Meg Foley, Director
Laraine Turk, Recording Secretary            Mike Lipsitz, Director
Marina West, Treasurer                             Ruth Rieman, Director
Sarah Kennington, Past President             Seth Shteir, Director

• Desert-Wise Living Landscape Tour: April 27 & 28, 2019
• National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) workshop: Yucca Valley, May 18, 2019 -- RSVP seth.shteir@gmail.com
• West Mojave Route Network  Project (WEMO) Land Use Amendment to be published
• Paradise Valley Development Threatens Joshua Tree National Park

This weekend!  9th Annual DWL Landscape Tour: April 27 & 28
The Super Bloom is peaking just as our Landscape Tour is happening! Register now for the Desert-Wise Living Landscape Tour featuring Morongo Basin properties showcasing drought-tolerant landscapes.  Saturday, April 27 will feature 11 south-east-end sites and Sunday, April 28 will feature 10 north-west-end sites. This is informative and fun event showcases imaginative and creative landscapes throughout the Morongo Basin.

For information and to register for the event, go to the registration page at MBCA’s web site.

National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) workshop: Saturday, May 18, 2019
A free workshop designed to teach participants how to craft meaningful, substantive comments in opposition to inappropriate developments on public land. The workshop is being offered at this time because more desert advocates are needed to defend the desert we love.  We are faced with increasingly complex public policy issues, such as the reopening of the Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan (DRECP) that will affect every aspect of the quality of life in the desert, and the soon-to-be-published WEMO LUPA (Land Use Plan Amendment) and SEIS (Supplemental Environmental Impact Statemement) (see below).

This workshop is being organized by expert and experienced environmental lawyers from Advocates of the West (https://advocateswest.org/) and the California Desert Coalition (https://www.cadesertcoalition.org). MBCA and the Conservation Lands Foundation are also providing support for this event. For more information see the mbconservation.org web page. Please RSVP to seth.shteir@gmail.com by May 12, 2019.

West Mojave Route Network Project (WEMO)  Land Use Plan Amendment to be published
The West Mojave Route Network Project Land Use Plan Amendment to the California Desert Conservation Area Plan and Final SEIS is now available for download. The anticipated date of the publication of the Notice of Availability in the Federal Register is April 26, 2019. The publication will open a 30-day protest period.

MBCA has been tracking the WEMO process and has provided comments to the BLM regarding this lengthy and complicated document. Our comments have emphasized the importance of making ‘street legal only vehicle’ designations for many of the fractured discontinuous routes that have encouraged off-highway vehicle (OHV) use within our existing rural communities. MBCA will keep you informed of the status of this latest report by BLM as we study and digest the MANY documents that have been posted on the BLM website.

Paradise Valley Development Threatens Joshua Tree National Park
A 1,848-acre community within a 5,000-acre specific plan boundary is proposed in Riverside County on the southern border of Joshua Tree National Park. This development with 8,490 new dwelling units and up to 1,380,000 square feet of non-residential development would have a tremendous affect on the Park.

Chris Clarke, of the National Park Conservation Association has stated: This new city would place 20-25,000 new human residents directly along the southern border of the park, furthering the urban walling-off of the park, with serious consequences for the ecological integrity of the park.

MBCA will continue to track this project to provide information for substantive comments in opposition and any updates on scheduled hearings.

We encourage you to learn about this ill-conceived development by reviewing the information from the Riverside County planning department (click here) and to write, email or call the Project Planner: Russell Brady (rbrady@arivco.org) at Riverside County Planning Department PO Box 1409 Riverside, CA 92502-1409. (951) 955-3025.

As of this writing, the Riverside County Planning Commission is scheduled to consider this development on May 15, 2019 at 4080 Lemon St., 1st floor, Riverside CA.


Thanks again to all the members and supporters of MBCA for your continued interest and activism that is demanded by the many threats that face us here in the desert.

Here comes the Landscape Tour! I have to get back out now and address the proliferation of unwanted plants that have come along with Super Bloom! I hope to see many of you on the Tour this weekend!

Sincerely,

Steve Bardwell President
Morongo Basin Conservation Association

Your 2019 MBCA Board 

Steve Bardwell, President                          Pat Flanagan, Director       
David Fick, Vice President                         Meg Foley, Director
Laraine Turk, Recording Secretary            Mike Lipsitz, Director
Marina West, Treasurer                              Ruth Rieman, Director
Sarah Kennington, Past President             Seth Shteir, Director

 

MBCA joined Tubb Canyon Desert Conservancy and other groups in urging the United States Department of Agriculture to consider Sahara mustard as a new "weed of interest" in its next five-year plan. The Tubb Canyon group has been involved in a scientific search for a biocontrol agent for Sahara Mustard which drew some USDA interest. MBCA's letter notes the ongoing damage to our "diverse and vital desert ecosystem" due to the proliferation of Sahara mustard. 

Desert Wise Living Landscape Tour: April 27 & 28, 2019

San Bernardino County RECE Policy 4.10: Update

Paradise Valley Development: Threatens Joshua Tree National Park

San Bernardino Countywide Plan: Update

9th Annual Landscape Tour: April 27 & 28.

Make plans to attend this year’s Desert Wise Living Landscape Tour featuring Morongo Basin properties showcasing drought-tolerant landscapes.

Saturday, April 27 will feature 11 east-end sites and
Sunday, April 28 will feature 10 west-end sites.

This popular, self-guided tour features beautiful home landscapes, a native plant nursery at the Joshua Tree National Park visitor center, two exclusively native plant re-vegetation sites at Sky’s the Limit in Twentynine Palms and Big Morongo Canyon Preserve in Morongo Valley.

Tour participants will have the unique opportunity to talk with the experts - the homeowners whose inspiring personal sanctuaries blend low water consumption with artful desert living. They’ll see an abundance of native, drought-tolerant and water-efficient plants as well as creative uses of other landscaping elements—from architectural shading and outdoor “rooms,” pathways, sitting areas to rocks-capes, found objects, yard art and potted plants. Many sites incorporate energy and water efficient features.

For information and to register for the event, go to the registration page at MBCA’s web site.

Renewal Energy Conservation Element 4.10: Board of Supervisors adopt original language.

The Board of Supervisors voted on February 28 by a 4 to 1 margin to adopt the original language of RECE 4.10. This language prohibits industrial scale Renewable Energy developments within RL zoned land and areas included within existing community plans. MBCA Board members along with many other community members presented compelling reasons for the Board to adopt the original 4.10. While we applaud the decision by the Board, some of the national media coverage misinterpreted the vote as a rejection of solar renewable energy rather than a victory for the health and welfare of the County residents. MBCA continues to support the use of renewables through roof-top distributed generation within the built environment.

While the adoption of 4.10 will serve to protect desert residents from future inappropriate development, there remain applications for many thousands of acres of industrial scale renewable energy developments that were accepted by the County during the course of deliberations over 4.10. MBCA is continuing to follow, track and provide substantive comments on projects within the Lucerne Valley area including: Ord Mountain (483 acres), the adjacent Calcite sub-station, Sienna Solar North, South, East and West (1630 acres) and Calcite Solar Project generation project (664 acres). Cumulatively these projects would have a devastating affect on the quality of life, property values, and the scenic vistas of this community. In addition to the Lucerne Valley projects MBCA is following proposals in the Newberry Springs and Daggett areas where thousands of acres of inappropriately placed industrial scale developments are planned for areas within the Mojave River water-course, an area that is prone to creating dust should the existing surface be scraped.

Paradise Valley Development: threatens Joshua Tree National Park

A 1,848 acre community within a 5,000 acre specific plan boundary is proposed in Riverside County on the southern border of Joshua Tree National Park. This development with 8,490 new dwelling units and up to 1,380,000 square feet of non-residential development would have a tremendous affect on the Park.

Chris Clarke, of the National Park Conservation Association has stated: This new city would place 20-25,000 new human residents directly along the southern border of the park, furthering the urban walling-off of the park, with serious consequences for the ecological integrity of the park.

MBCA will continue to track this project and will provide information on how to provide substantive comments in opposition and will provide updates on any of the scheduled hearings.

We encourage you to learn about this ill-conceived development by reviewing the information from the Riverside County planning department (here) and to write, email, or call the Project Planner: Russell Brady (rbrady@arivco.org) at Riverside County Planning Department PO Box 1409 Riverside, CA 92502-1409. (951) 955-3025.

As of this writing, the Riverside County Planning Commission is scheduled to consider this development on May 15, 2019 at 4080 Lemon St., 1st floor, Riverside CA.

San Bernardino Countywide Plan

MBCA continues to provide comments and recommendations to the County as they develop the new Countywide Plan. This plan will be an entirely web based plan with the goal of providing a user-friendly and transparent means for addressing physical, social and economic issues facing the unincorporated portions of the County. Visit the Countywide Plan website for more detailed information. MBCA has urged the County to strengthen goals and policies within the Countywide Plan and subsequent Implementation Plan to insure protection of the County’s natural resources. A Draft EIR of the proposed Countywide Plan is to be released within the next several months and we will provide links to the document when it is released.

Thanks to all the members and supporters of MBCA for your continued interest and attention to the many issues affecting us here in the Morongo Basin! I hope to see many of you on the Landscape Tour later this month!

Sincerely,

Steve Bardwell President
Morongo Basin Conservation Association

Your 2019 MBCA Board 

Steve Bardwell, President                          Pat Flanagan, Director       
David Fick, Vice President                         Meg Foley, Director
Laraine Turk, Recording Secretary            Mike Lipsitz, Director
Marina West, Treasurer                              Ruth Rieman, Director
Sarah Kennington, Past President             Seth Shteir, Director

 

On March 11 the Los Angeles Times published an editorial titled "Green power runs up against desert conservation in California," a response to the San Bernardino County Supervisors' vote in favor of RECE 4.10. As MBCA supporters know, RECE 4.10 offers protection to rural desert communities from large-scale renewable energy developments. While the Times editorial in part acknowledges the needs of rural desert communities, it concludes by saying that California needs both rooftop and large-scale energy developments. A response by MBCA Director Pat Flanagan provides detailed reasons for why inappropriately-placed large-scale projects in the desert can harm rural communities.  The photo illustrates a dust storm in Joshua Tree near a solar field just west of Copper Mountain College.  

Justifying the long-term resolve and perseverance of desert residents communicating with their elected representatives, San Bernardino's Supervisors voted 4-1 to adopt the Renewable Energy Conservation Element policy 4.10 on February 28. The policy prohibits utility-scale renewable energy developments in the County's desert areas with Community Plans in place and in Rural Living zones. Quoted in the Los Angeles Times article about the RECE 4.10 vote, Supervisor Robert Lovingood said residents "spoke clearly about what they want to see."

MBCA is grateful to the dozens of residents who have taken time to make public comments in writing and in person over the course of almost two years to work toward this positive outcome. Here is the local news coverage at the Hi Desert Star and KCDZ radio. More information can also be found in this San Bernardino Sun article. For more background you can use the Search feature at the top of this webpage to find prior MBCA News and EBlasts about RECE 4.10 by using RECE as the keyword.

If you wish to watch the video of the February 28 Supervisors meeting you can see some of the key testimony for RECE Policy 4.10 as follows:

Robin Kobaly at 1:32
Pat Flanagan at 2:13

Sarah Kennington at 2:59

David Fick at 3:01

Claudia Sall at 3:24

• San Bernardino County RECE Policy 4.10: Supervisors to vote on 2.28.19
• MBCA 50^th and Energy Summit information now on-line
• Applications now being accepted for the 2019-2020 Ruth Denison scholarship

Supervisors Schedule Special Meeting on RECE 4.10

We strongly encourage your attendance in San Bernardino this Thursday February 28, when the Board of Supervisors, after much delay and with much anticipation, will consider and vote on this vitally important issue. The adoption of the original 4.10 language by the Board of Supervisors would offer some protection to rural living zoned properties (RL) and desert communities located within existing community plan areas. However, there is new language that would weaken the original 4.10 intention, from our perspective. Read the added language of Exceptions and Amendments. This seems to offer a potential road map for developers to circumvent the intention of the original 4.10. As a point of information, while 4.10 has been under deliberation, the County has accepted 5 applications for industrial scale solar projects! It is important to let your voice be heard in defense of our Communities!

The meeting will be held in the Temporary Covington Chambers, 1^st floor, of the County Government Center in San Bernardino. In the official notice of the meeting, note that video conferencing of the meeting will be available in Joshua Tree at the Bob Burke Government Center at 63665 Twentynine Palms Highway Joshua Tree, CA 92252, and at the Jerry Lewis High Desert Government Center 15900 Smoke Tree Street, Hesperia 92345.

WHEN
February 28, 2019 at 10am

WHERE
San Bernardino County Government Center
Temporary Covington Chambers, 1^st floor
385 N Arrowhead Ave
San Bernardino, CA 92415

Google map and directions

MBCA 50^th and Energy Summit information now on-line

Thanks to all who attended our 50^th anniversary meeting and Energy Summit. Our keynote speakers, S. David Freeman and Angelina Galiteva, and afternoon session panelists, Frazier Haney, Vanessa Moreno, Jack Thompson and Marinna Wagner provided inspiring visions for the future. See some of the presentations now published on our website here. We will post a link to a video recording of the entire meeting in the near future

Applications now being accepted for the 2019-2020 Ruth Denison scholarship

Please spread the word about this scholarship that will be presented in May to a Morongo Basin graduating high school student. This will be the third year we have granted this award to a student planning to pursue a career in environmental or conservation work. Through this award, MBCA hopes to foster the next generation conservation leaders. The requirements, and application can be found on our website here.

Sincerely,

Steve Bardwell President
Morongo Basin Conservation Association

Your 2019 MBCA Board 

Steve Bardwell, President                          Pat Flanagan, Director       
David Fick, Vice President                         Meg Foley, Director
Laraine Turk, Recording Secretary            Mike Lipsitz, Director
Marina West, Treasurer                             Ruth Rieman, Director
Sarah Kennington, Past President             Seth Shteir, Director

 

Among the numerous proposed solar projects in the Lucerne Valley and Newberry Springs area northwest of the Morongo Basin is the Calcite Solar Project. On February 22 MBCA sent scoping comments to San Bernardino County Land Use Services expressing concerns about likely negative impacts of this project. The comment letter emphasizes the cumulative effects of this project with three other nearby proposed projects: Ord Mountain Solar, Calcite Transmission unit, and the Siena Solar Project. Areas of concern include air quality and soils, aesthetics, and biological resources. The letter contains excellent data-rich maps once again provided by Brian Hammer and a paper by Robin Kobaly explaining the importance of underground biological entities that are critical to the survival of desert plants. 

Nearly 100 Morongo Basin residents attended MBCA's 50th Anniversary Energy Summit on January 26 in Yucca Valley.

Keynote speakers Angelina Galiteva and S. David Freeman were described as "impressive" and "challenging" speakers.

Dr. Galiteva described the growing number of renewable energy achievements in California, noted in the Event Summary and illustrated in her PowerPoint slides. Mr. Freeman strongly emphasized that citizens must advocate for legislation demanding changes to move quickly toward 100% renewable energy.

The afternoon panel of four regional conservation leaders each described their organization's goals that are - in different ways - focused on desert preservation, environmental education, and climate change awareness. Links to their PowerPoint slides can also be found within the event summary below.

Here is the You-Tube video of all the speakers and a timecode list to point to each speaker. Thanks to Bob Stephenson for the video and to Steve Bardwell for producing the time-stamp table.

Here are some evaluation responses from those attending:

The Morongo Basin's State Assemblyman Chad Mayes (District 42) is requesting that residents complete an online survey about their interest in state issues. There is no indication of how long the survey will be available, but here is the survey link.