Urgent News Related to Cadiz

Stop Cadiz: Call the Governor to sign SB-307!
SB-307 on Governor’s desk
The State Assembly overwhelmingly voted to pass SB-307 (Roth) and the bill is now on the desk of Governor Gavin Newsom for signing. It is vitally important that the Governor hear our voices and that we ask him to sign the legislation.
The office number is (916) 445-2841. You must first select a language (“1” for English, “2” for Spanish), then press “6” at the next menu to be transferred to a staffer. When a staffer answers, tell them: your name and where you live, and that you urge the Governor to sign SB 307.With Governor Newsom’s signature the controversial Cadiz water project will be subject to a thorough and desperately needed environmental review.
You can also email the governor's office using the web form provided on this website: https://govapps.gov.ca.gov/gov40mail/. A phone call carries more weight, so please consider calling before sending an email.
Following your call, please take the time to email Chris Clarke of the National Parks Conservation Association at [email protected] to let him know you've done so; it will help provide a sense of how many calls the governor's office is getting in support of the Bill.
I again offer my thanks to our many members and supporters for your activism in defense of our desert.
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
Another Opinion against the Paradise Valley Project
Another Setback for the Cadiz Water Project
Countywide Plan Comments and Draft EIR
In response to the latest draft of the Countywide Plan, MBCA as an organization and several Board members as individuals signed onto a May 10 Coalition letter specifying three major concerns. 1) The Plan is not in line with the recently-adopted RECE 4.10 Policy relating to renewable energy developments in rural living areas; 2) most of the land in the proposed new "Resource/Land Management" zone is also incompatible with RECE 4.10; and 3) Community Action Guides should not replace the current community plans in unincorporated desert communities.
Here are the sections of the latest draft of the San Bernardino Countywide Plan:
Draft Policy Plan
Draft Land Use Plan
Plan Goals and Policy Matrix (for unincorporated communities, you can click on your community from this page to see the “Community Action Guides”)
The Draft EIR can be accessed online, and we have also provided the main sections here on our website.
DRAFT EIR for the San Bernardino Countywide Plan, June 2019:
Notice of Preparation, Scoping meeting sign-ins and comments
Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas Data
Community and Municipal Greenhouse Gas Inventory
Draft EIR Title Page
Table of Contents
Executive Summary
Introduction (includes scoping comments by site)
Project Description (lots of maps)
Environmental Setting
Environmental Analysis, Aesthetics
Environmental Analysis, Air Quality
Environmental Analysis, Biological Resources
Environmental Analysis, Cultural Resources
Environmental Analysis, Geology and Soils
Environmental Analysis, Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Environmental Analysis, Hazards and Hazardous Materials
Environmental Analysis, Hydrology and Water Quality
Environmental Analysis, Land Use and Planning
Environmental Analysis, Mineral Resources
Environmental Analysis, Noise
Environmental Analysis, Population and Housing
Environmental Analysis, Public Services
Responses from Native American Tribal Representatives
These additional sections are available on the County website:
Chapter 6) Significant Unavoidable Adverse Impacts
Chapter 7) Alternatives to the Proposed Project
Chapter 8) Impacts Found Not to Be Significant
Chapter 9) Other CEQA Considerations
Chapter 10) Organizations and Persons Consulted
Chapter 11) Qualifications of Persons Preparing EIR
DRAFT EIR APPENDICES
A) Notice of Preparation (NOP), NOP Comments, and Scoping Meeting Attendance Sheets
B) Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas Data
C) Community and Municipal Greenhouse Gas Inventory
D1) Biological Resources Existing Conditions (Report)
D2) Biological Resources Existing Conditions (Appendices)
E) Cultural Resources Technical Report
F) Paleontological Resources Technical Report
G1) Safety Background (Report)
G2) Safety Background (Figures)
H) Water, Wastewater, and Hydrology Existing Conditions
K) Responses Received from Service Providers
L1) Transportation Impact Analysis (Report)
L2) Transportation Impact Analysis (Appendices- Part 1)
L3) Transportation Impact Analysis (Appendices- Part 2)
L4) Transportation Impact Analysis (Appendices- Part 3)
L5) Transportation Impact Analysis (Appendices- Part 4)
Pro-Eagle Mountain Project Fails in State Senate
California Senate Bill Would Support Eagle Mountain Water Storage Project
Cadiz-related Bill Moves Forward in California Legislature
MBCA Comment Letter on Daggett Solar Power Facility
BLM WEMO Land Use Plan Published
For a visual representation and explanation of the Plan, see this one-page WEMO flier prepared for the Morongo Basin Municipal Advisory Council by Pat Flanagan.
Additional explanation can be found in MBCA's May 13 EBlast:
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 is May 28, 2019. Our conservation partner, Community ORV Watch, has 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 many are reflected in Alternative 5, the BLM’s Proposed Action Alternative. Many of the short, discontinuous route segments within the checkerboarded communities in County Service Areas (CSAs) have now been designated as Street Legal Only. This is a good step towards controlling unwelcome and disruptive OHV use within CSAs communities although there continue to be routes in communities that are identified ‘Motorized, No Subdesignation’. This designation permits the use of any motorized vehicle (OHV, ATV, electric) within neighborhood communities that are accessible by traveling on County roads. OHVs driving on such routes are subject to the County’s OHV ordinance that the Sheriff's department and Code Enforcement will enforce.
We encourage you to study and digest the MANY documents and extremely detailed maps that have been posted on the BLM website.
The End of the Altamira Project

Janet Johnston gives a donation check of $193 to MBCA President Steve Bardwell and Immediate Past President Sarah Kennington on behalf of the JT105 Alliance. It represents the final remainder of community donations toward litigation on the Altamira housing project. MBCA provided updates on the project to our thousand-plus subscribers beginning in early 2015. The fight against the Altamira housing project and the final result are described in this communication from Janet, community activist and MBCA member.
After 10 years of fighting, the community of Joshua Tree has prevailed against the threat of the Altamira Gated Community. The Board of Supervisors voted on April 16, 2019, to rescind all approvals for the project. The developers, YV105 LLC, still own the property. If they decide to pursue another development, they would have to start the design, environmental studies, and approval process from scratch, likewise for anyone who might purchase the property.