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.
MBCA engaged professional planner and former Advisory Board member Stephanie Weigel, AICP, to work with Directors Pat Flanagan, Meg Foley, Ruth Rieman, and Marina West, and create a comprehensive analysis of the County's final draft of the Renewable Energy and Conservation Element. A theme that appears throughout this detailed comment letter is the need for “clear and unambiguous definitions” and “stronger language in policy statements” that will lead to an effective Development Code. We encourage you to read the letter before attending the August 8 Public Comment Meeting about the RECE, and to add your own comments at that meeting. The meeting will be videoconferenced at the Bob Burke Government Center in Joshua Tree, beginning at 1:00 pm.
Attend MBCA Annual Meeting January 24 2026!
Support MBCA Appeal of Lucerne Valley Solar project
Annual Desert-Wise Living Landscape Tour is April 19, 2026
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MBCA Joins Request for Wildlife Protection at Border Wall
MBCA joined a strong plea to California officials initiated by the Endangered Habitats League to take action concerning expansion of the Border Wall along California’s southern border with Mexico that will further damage wildlife in both countries. The letter importantly references the 2005 Memorandum of Understanding between federal and California agencies and several Mexican non-profits regarding the habitat conservation of the area around Tecate Peak which is among several locations...
MBCA Opposes Permit for Joshua Tree Motocross Park
After learning of an operating motocross park on Sunfair Road in Joshua Tree, MBCA sent the County a letter opposing approval of any permit for the park/raceway and asking that operation cease until review and permitting can be accomplished. Such a commercial usage is not permitted in a rural living zone without approved permits. According to a report by Z107.7 local radio, the owner Neil Rauschenberg "says that Sunfair 42...
Fall Planting Featured on Latest MBCA Desert-Wise Landscape Video
MBCA has published its latest YouTube video on desert-wise landscaping. "Getting to the Root of Fall Planting/Working with Nature" offers tips and suggestions on design by MBCA's gardening expert Miriam Seger, as well as steps to prepare in fall for a healthy and vibrant spring bloom. For a preview, watch this short video on design, and another on why fall is the best time to plant in the desert.
MBCA Leads Appeal of Sienna Solar Project in Lucerne Valley
In partnership with several other organizations and individuals, MBCA filed an appeal of the County Planning Commission's October 23 approval of a Conditional Use Permit for the 1,854-acre Sienna Solar and Storage Project, including gen-tie lines to the future Southern California Edison Calcite substation in Lucerne Valley. Should these projects be constructed it would fundamentally change the character of the already-disadvantaged Lucerne Valley Community, creating the potential for severe dust...
Alianza Coachella Valley’s Campaign for Thriving Salton Sea Communities is advocating for a Trail Network that will bring much-needed environmental, economic, and recreational benefits to...
Development Proposals in the Morongo Basin
Planning Commission Hearing October 23, 2025
OfLand Resort Update
LoveMore Ranch Update
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AB 98 - Transportation Issues for the Morongo Basin
MBCA President Steve Bardwell sent an email to County Supervisor Dawn Rowe and Yucca Valley Town Manager Curtis Yakimow about the County Planning Commission’s October 9 agenda item “AB 98 Transportation and Mobility Study Session." President Bardwell repeated concerns MBCA expressed in January 2025, and annotated the Staff Report to highlight major concerns. He further noted that two major new transportation hubs, Barstow International Gateway (BIG) and the Amazon warehouse...
MBCA Comments on Cactus Club Development in Joshua Tree
The proposed Cactus Club Hotel is a complex of structures with a total of 20 hotel rooms in the Panorama Heights area of Joshua Tree. The project description also lists other structures for "accessory uses" that seem to indicate a resort rather than just a hotel. A Mitigated Negative Declaration is recommended by County staff. MBCA's letter registers concern about the relatively large scale of the project compared to the...
MBCA engaged professional planner and former Advisory Board member Stephanie Weigel, AICP, to work with Directors Pat Flanagan, Meg Foley, Ruth Rieman, and Marina West, and create a comprehensive analysis of the County's final draft of the Renewable Energy and Conservation Element. A theme that appears throughout this detailed comment letter is the need for “clear and unambiguous definitions” and “stronger language in policy statements” that will lead to an effective Development Code. We encourage you to read the letter before attending the August 8 Public Comment Meeting about the RECE, and to add your own comments at that meeting. The meeting will be videoconferenced at the Bob Burke Government Center in Joshua Tree, beginning at 1:00 pm.
